Partner News: Grow with the Microsoft Partner Network

Sign up for other newsletters | Update your profile November 3, 2009 You've probably heard that the Microsoft Partner Program has become the Microsoft Partner Network. What does this mean for you? In this edition, we'll update you about the evolution of the Partner Network—the latest vibrant communities, exciting subscriptions, and new competencies aligned to how you sell your products and services. Changing our name to the Microsoft Partner Network reflects how we've evolved to more effectively help you address current market forces, customer demand, and your needs. Our vision is simple—to provide: • Opportunities to strengthen your capabilities. • Expertise to help you serve your customers better. • Communities that spark innovation and connection. Working together, we can continue to focus on creating innovative solutions that drive profitability and sustain competitive advantage. Learn more about the evolution of the Microsoft Partner Network. What This Means for You New opportunities and tools can help you meet your business goals. You can engage with the Microsoft Partner Network in four ways: Communities and QuickStart programs. Through the Microsoft Partner Network, you can participate in communities to connect with other partners whose solutions and services complement your own. Subscriptions. Subscriptions make it possible for startup companies, small businesses, and new partners to develop their businesses and to open new opportunities with the support of the Microsoft Partner Network. Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) offers solution providers many resources—including access to most of the latest software releases—at a very low cost. You'll also be able to take advantage of technical and sales training, no-cost online technical support, and tailored content to help you improve your sales opportunities in the highly profitable small- and midsize-business (SMB) markets. With Microsoft Empower for ISVs, software developers can access developer tools and resources, along with consultative support, to help you develop solutions using Microsoft software and technologies. If you're an early-stage startup company, Microsoft BizSpark can help accelerate your success. And if you're a Web professional, Microsoft WebsiteSpark can help you drive new business opportunities with other partners and customers around the world. Competencies. Microsoft Competencies help demonstrate your expertise and enable you to build more effective marketing campaigns. Your certifications are meaningful to prospective customers, who can see your ability to align with their business needs and how they go to market. Advanced competencies (coming in late 2010). Advanced competencies can enable partners with deeper levels of expertise to differentiate their businesses in the marketplace with a specific Microsoft brand. When you attain advanced competencies, you will have demonstrated that your best-in-class solutions underwent a rigorous and auditable approval process to showcase customer value. Interested in joining the Microsoft Partner Network? Enroll today. Interested in finding a partner to work with? Microsoft Solution Finder and Microsoft PinPoint connect partners with Microsoft certified companies. Help Customers Save Operational Costs with System Center Configuration Manager Add new inbox capabilities and seamlessly enable flexible, centralized power management planning and application through client-agent services added to customers' existing IT investments. Find Out How Others Grow Revenue with Core Infrastructure Competencies A June 2009 IDC report shows that partners with more than two core infrastructure competencies sign deals that are 68 percent larger than average. They also enjoy 28 percent higher revenue per employee, longer engagements, and faster revenue growth. • Want to learn more about Core IO, but don't have a lot of time? Try Find Core IO Learning Snacks—short, informative presentations. Recommend the Best with the Best Practices Analyzer for Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Show your customers how to improve their configuration settings with the new Microsoft Forefront Security for Office Communications Server Best Practices Analyzer (BPA). The BPA compares existing deployments against best practices to help improve performance and malware detection. Get Ahead of Exchange Server 2010 Launch with In-Depth Sales Training Learn how to effectively market and license Microsoft Exchange Server 2010. This 60-minute, 100-level online tutorial can help you understand the new features, functions, and benefits of Exchange Server 2010. Now Available! Updated Deployment and Operations Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides Shorten your planning time and deploy correctly the first time with these updated guides. Now the Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for Windows Deployment Services and the IPD Guide for System Center Operations Manager reflect the features and functionalities of Windows Server 2008 R2 and System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. Effectively design and implement deployment and management infrastructure through simple, step-by-step process guidance. New Version of LicenseWise Available as of October 29, 2009 Provide the information your customers need to make purchases, when you include SKUs in your Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing quotes. Also, LicenseWise now suggests the numbers and types of servers needed with server modeling for Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, based on the number of desktops you specify. • Upgrading to Windows 7 for SMBs • Windows 7 Means Business Online Course • Windows Partner Activation Guide • Role-Based Learning Paths Visit the Microsoft Partner Network Portal ©2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and the Microsoft Partner Network logo, BizSpark, Forefront, Internet Explorer, PinPoint, Windows, Windows Live, and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation group of companies in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Trouble accessing a Microsoft Partner Network link? You may be signed in with another Windows Live ID not associated with the Partner Network. Sign out of any other Windows Live ID-enabled sites, and then sign in with the credentials used to enroll in the Microsoft Partner Network. If you still cannot open the link, please contact our support team. You will receive a response within 72 hours. Newsletter Legal Information This newsletter was sent by: Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, USA 98052 Sign up for other newsletters | Update your profile © 2009 Microsoft Corporation Terms of Use | Trademarks | Privacy Statement