Partner Newsletter: New Core Infrastructure Competencies Unveiled

Sign up for other newsletters | Update your profile December 8, 2009 In this edition, we're celebrating the recent launch of the new Core Infrastructure competencies. Find out how they'll better showcase your expertise—and how you'll be able to speed your revenue growth and win longer customer engagements. We've designed the new Partner Network competencies to showcase your skills and align with how your customers buy. That's why the recently launched Core Infrastructure competencies—Desktop Platform, Server Platform, and Systems Management—will help you build a more profitable practice and deepen your customer relationships. And when you add the Virtualization and Security competencies, you have more opportunities than ever to prove your expertise—and your value—to your customers. Use these key resources to learn more about the value of the Core Infrastructure competencies and how to begin building your practice: • Review the IDC study to learn how you can boost deal size by 68 percent and per-employee revenue by 28 percent. • Download the Partner Solution Plan (PSP) Activation Kit for concise, actionable guidance and key resources that Microsoft experts have identified as critical. • Offer your enterprise customers a simplified way to acquire licenses for their infrastructures with Enrollment for Core Infrastructure (ECI). • Want to learn more about Microsoft Core Infrastructure solutions? Get details. • Interested in getting Microsoft Core Infrastructure solutions updates? Subscribe to the infrastructure partner newsletter. Showcase Your Windows 7 and MDOP Expertise Attain the new Desktop Platform competency to prove your skill at developing solutions based on the Windows 7 operating system and the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). You'll get access to no-charge training, exclusive logos and marketing materials, and customer support. All of which you can use to build more revenue for your business. Reach Your Microsoft Exchange Server Sales and Marketing Goals Microsoft Unified Communications partner marketing campaigns can help you generate sales leads, increase awareness, drive customer engagement, and evaluate the return on your marketing investment. Visit the Partner Marketing Center and get started with these valuable to-customer campaigns: • Cost Savings with Unified Communications • Enhanced Communications and Collaboration • Exchange Server Upgrade New Report: More Than 80 Percent of Vulnerabilities Are in Non-Microsoft Code Download the latest Security Intelligence Report to learn more about the findings. And be better equipped to provide sound recommendations to help your customers stay on top of the latest online threats. Download the SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP Explore new capabilities designed to help your customers improve IT and developer efficiency, easily capture and share business intelligence (BI) with all users, and scale to meet changing business demands. Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway 2010 Now Available Download the next-generation release of Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server. Then find sales and marketing resources, training, and support to help you reduce the cost and complexity of Web security for your customers. Download Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Beta Get hands-on experience with new features. Find out how it's easier than ever to bring together real-time data from multiple sources and how to improve efficiency with enhanced workflow-based functionality. Get Ready for Next-Generation Cloud Computing The Windows Azure platform is launching soon. Start training now to deliver robust cloud-based applications that help your customers operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. Get prescriptive guidance through role-based training. Win more business and evaluate your strategy with tools, resources, and guides in the Core Infrastructure Practice Builder, created by Core Infrastructure partners. Watch Core IO Learning Snacks for short, informative presentations about Core Infrastructure Optimization (Core IO). Need training? Find prescriptive guidance in learning paths for virtualization and Microsoft System Center. Get up to speed with updated Exchange Server 2010 Ignite Technical Training. Accelerate your Exchange Server 2010 sales with online training and seminars. Register Now for Practice Accelerator Experience Get the comprehensive set of tools, resources, and best practices you need to build your midmarket practice around Microsoft solutions through Practice Accelerator. This unique for-fee experience offers the opportunity to participate in a four-day, in-depth training session delivered by Microsoft experts through Microsoft Office Live Meeting. The last event runs December 14–17, 2009, 9:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M., Pacific time. Download the EAP Configurator from Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing Help build and accelerate your Microsoft Enrollment for Application Platform (EAP) proposals with the new Microsoft EAP Configurator. The tool includes easy product and service selection, automatic generation of a customer quote and preliminary pricing sheet, and comparison of EAP and Microsoft Enterprise Agreement prices. December 2009 Agreement Refresh for the Open Programs Now Available As of December 7, 2009, the Microsoft Open License, Microsoft Open Value, and Microsoft Open Value Subscription agreements include changes that help clarify language and bring alignment with other Volume Licensing agreements, and program enhancements that help simplify licensing. The December 2009 changes apply to customers who sign a 2009 agreement. The 2009 agreements are available from your distributor. Download a customer presentation for additional details, and get answers to customers' frequently asked questions (FAQ). VLSC Replaced MVLS and eOpen on December 6, 2009 As of December 6, 2009, Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) provides a single, integrated portal for managing all Volume Licensing IDs. The Microsoft Volume License Services (MVLS) and eOpen licensing management websites have been retired and now automatically redirect to VLSC. All user accounts and registered Volume Licensing IDs have been migrated. • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 to Be Supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 • Windows 7 Role-Based Learning Paths • Windows RSS Feed • Upgrading to Windows 7 for SMB • Windows 7 Videos Visit the Microsoft Partner Network Portal ©2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and the Microsoft Partner Network logo, Azure, Forefront, SharePoint, Windows, Windows Azure, 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