On today's episode of The Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast, Adam Burke and Mike Hartman are joined by leaders from Belgian-based managed services provider Arxus to discuss the company’s evolution into a full hybrid cloud MSP. The conversation explores how Arxus differentiates through deep Microsoft expertise, long-term managed services, and a flexible customer engagement model, as well as how Azure Arc enables unified management across on-premises, private, and public cloud environments. The guests also share how Arxus uses AI internally to modernize operations, strengthen security, and improve customer experience, while helping organizations navigate AI readiness and data sovereignty challenges across Europe.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Arxus evolved from a Microsoft hosting provider into a full hybrid cloud MSP
• Why Azure Arc plays a central role in managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments
• What technologies support sovereign cloud strategies, including confidential computing.

Some questions we ask:

• What differentiates Arxus in the marketplace, and why do customers choose you?
• How are you using AI within your managed services today?
• What impact does the Azure Belgium region have for your customers?

Resources:

View Adam Burke on LinkedIn

View Mike Hartman on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• No Slides Attached Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of The Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast, Adam Burke and Mike Hartman are joined by Fernando Peoples for a fast-paced recap of key insights from Microsoft Ignite. They discuss how Broadcom’s VMware licensing changes are pushing partners to seek a clear modernization roadmap and how Microsoft’s adaptive cloud approach across Azure Native, Azure Local, and Azure Arc supports that journey. The conversation highlights opportunities to move from SPLA to CSP, unlock value through Cloud Ascent, and leverage Azure migration investments, all framed through the Three Horizons model that helps partners strengthen current offerings, adopt AI and Copilot, and build toward long-term cloud-focused growth.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How partners are responding to Broadcom’s VMware licensing changes
• Why becoming customer zero for AI and Copilot strengthens partner capabilities
• How hybrid cloud providers can position themselves for long-term success in Azure

Some questions we ask:

• What are the major Broadcom licensing changes partners need to understand?
• How does the Cloud Accelerate Factory help with migrations?
• What incentives and investments are available for partners in CSP?

Resources:

View Fernando Peoples on LinkedIn

View Adam Burke on LinkedIn

View Mike Hartman on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• No Slides Attached Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of The Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast, Adam Burke and Mike Hartman are joined by Don Penland of Knox Capital to explore the private equity perspective on managed service providers (MSPs) and the Microsoft partner ecosystem. Don shares insights from two decades in IT consulting and managed services, explaining how operator-first investing, recurring revenue models, and strong go-to-market alignment with Microsoft drive valuation and long-term success. He discusses the evolving role of AI, from internal optimization to client-facing productization and how MSPs can adopt and monetize it effectively. Don also offers candid advice on preparing for private equity investment, building niche vertical expertise, and embracing programs like the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program to fuel sustainable growth.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why an operator-first mindset gives Knox Capital a different approach to investing
• How aligning with Microsoft’s partner ecosystem accelerates business growth
• The growing role of AI in operations, sales, and customer offerings

Some questions we ask:

• What attracted you to focus on the Microsoft partner ecosystem as an investor?
• How are current market shifts impacting managed service providers?
• What advice do you have for MSPs starting their AI journey?

Resources:

View Don Penland on LinkedIn

View Adam Burke on LinkedIn

View Mike Hartman on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• No Slides Attached Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.