Microsoft Financing Partners report an increase in closed business by offering their customers flexible payment options. With Microsoft Financing, Partners are able to offer financing for their complete IT solution including Microsoft software, Partner services, third-party software, and hardware. Take advantage of these benefits and help meet your customer's needs.

https://www.microsoftfinancing.com/

Promote Upgrades to the 2007 Microsoft Office System SP1

Increase your services opportunities and grow your business with Microsoft Search Server Express. You can now deliver enterprise-class search solutions to your small-business customers, quickly and easily. Download the 32- or 64-bit release candidate now!

The 2007 Microsoft Office system includes new and improved application suites, business tools, server platforms, and services. Find sales and technical-readiness information, as well as videos, case studies, podcasts, and demos from partners who are building innovative solutions based on the new platform.

Meet Customer Compliance Needs

Workshare’s Project Enterprise Suite demo helps ensure enterprise content compliance.

View Demo

Featured Resources

Guide: Become a Microsoft Office Security Expert

The latest Microsoft Solution Accelerator, the 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide, can help you grow your consulting business and build additional revenue. The free guide provides tested best practices to help you rapidly configure and deploy hundreds of 2007 Office system security and privacy settings across customer organizations.
Learn more.

• Get Started

Duet for Microsoft Office and SAP

Duet software enables the delivery of SAP applications through a familiar Microsoft Office interface.

• Learn More

Conduct Effective Cost-Benefit Discussions

Use the Microsoft Office Discussion Tool to promote the productivity features of Office Professional Plus 2007 and Office Enterprise 2007 to your customers.

• Get Started
  

Spotlight: Partner Solutions

Case studies and demos highlight innovative partner solutions based on the 2007 Office system platform.

• Learn More

2007 Office System Training

Train for the 2007 Office System

Gain the knowledge you need to create flexible custom workflows.

2007 Office System FAQs

Learn about enhanced features, including rationales behind redesigned key elements.

Key 2007 Office System Features

Presentation provides details about platform’s features, and helps identify cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.

Product Information

TriVirix International Case Study

Learn how Microsoft partner ThoughtBridge used the 2007 Office system to help a customer streamline business processes and adhere to compliance guidelines.

Compare Edition Features

Understanding available features across 2007 Office system editions enables you to recommend appropriate solutions.

New XML Formats

New Office XML Formats deliver benefits for individuals, developers, and businesses of all sizes.

Partner Value Video

See and hear how other partners anticipate business growth as they embrace the new 2007 Office system platform.

As a Security Software Advisor, you can earn additional income when you recommend Microsoft Forefront products. For a limited time, save your customers 30% on the purchase price of Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, which provides multi-engine protection against the latest email threats. Offer good through January 31, 2008.

Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server integrates multiple scan engines from industry-leading security firms to provide comprehensive protection for messaging environments. Along with Microsoft Antigen for Exchange, Forefront Security for Exchange Server helps to provide comprehensive protection from spam and malicious software as organizations migrate to Exchange Server 2007.

And now, customers can save up to 30% off the purchase price of Forefront Security for Exchange Server.

Learn about this special worldwide promotional offer that benefits customers and rewards you.

Partner Incentive

Through this promotion you can provide a significant price incentive to your customers. Take advantage of this offer as an additional lever to close the deal. Also capitalize on our Security Software Advisor Program, which enables you to earn up to 30% in advisor fees for recommending Microsoft security products.

Customer Benefit

Forefront Security for Exchange Server helps administrators easily manage configuration and operation, automate scan engine signature updates, and streamline reporting at the server and enterprise levels. Customers realize long-term savings through increased efficiency and control.

With this special offer, your customers can also cut upfront costs—saving up to 30% on qualified product purchases through January 31, 2008.

Get Started Today

• Help drive the value and benefits of Forefront Security for Exchange Server with your customers . Learn more about Forefront Security for Exchange Server, and use case studies and white papers to show customers how a variety of small, midsize, and large organizations are using Forefront Security for Exchange Server to protect their Exchange messaging environments.

• Incorporate this promotion in your sales process as an additional incentive to help close deals and enhance the value proposition. With Forefront Security for Exchange Server, customers can benefit from both enhanced protection and cost savings.

• Get an added bonus as a Security Software Advisor. Qualifying partners can earn up to 30% in advisor fees for assisting customers with the acquisition and deployment of Microsoft security software. Become a Security Software Advisor.

Offer Details

• Up to 30% discount off Forefront Security for Exchange Server, on eligible purchases of User Subscription Licenses or Device Subscription Licenses, purchased through Open Value, Select, or Service Provider licensing agreements

• Available to all commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide

• Valid on purchases made from April 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008

Additional Resources

Get more information about Forefront Security for Exchange Server.

Build knowledge to support recommendations that customers acquire the latest platform release. Start by downloading a presentation to preview security enhancements like improved email protection, and greater accessibility, such as extended functionality of Microsoft Outlook Web Access.

Your customers need efficient and secure access to email, calendars, contacts, and more—wherever they are, on any device they use. Capitalize on this opportunity: Offer a solution that helps provide all this in one cost-effective package. Find resources below to help you generate demand for and drive sales of Exchange Server 2007.

Spotlight

Exchange Server 2007 SP1 Overview Presentation

Make the case for upgrades. Learn about improvements—including added security, new functionality, and greater accessibility—in Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) that can help you drive more sales.

Learn More

Exchange Server 2007 Online Concierge

Find resources to help answer your Exchange Server 2007 questions. Chat directly with a customer service representative—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn More

What's New

Exchange Server 2007 SP1 Evaluation Software

Discussion Guide: Microsoft and IBM in Unified Communications

Resources for Transitioning IBM Lotus Notes Customers

Web Seminar: Compete with Open-Source Email

Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade

Zimbra Collaboration Suite 4.0 vs. Exchange Server 2007

Exchange Server 2007 Business-Value Tool

"Good Enough" and Open Source Discussion Guide

Customer-Ready Presentations

Upgrade Campaign Materials

Training

Exchange Server 2007 Training Overview

Hands-On Labs Online

Technical Courses

Partner Learning Center Exchange Server 2007 Courses

Licensing

Exchange Server 2007 Licensing Q & A

Editions and Client Access Licenses

About Exchange Server 2007

Product Information

Exchange Server 2007 Features Comparison

Exchange Product Team Blog

Exchange Server 2007 Feature Demos

On-Demand Exchange Server 2007 Webcasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Exchange Server 2007 News and Reviews

Unified Messaging

Unified Messaging Sales Kit

Unified Messaging Discussion Guide

Unified Messaging in Exchange Server 2007

Directly from Keith Combs blog!  If you don't subscribe to his blog you should for sure!

http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/

Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate 1 is now available for download.  If you are a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, the bits to get the process started are now on the subscriber download center.  Those of you that are subscribers get to go to the head of the line and install right now.  Everyone else will have to wait a few more days.

Enjoy!

Want a subscription?  See http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2007/12/06/technet-plus-direct-100-discount.aspx for more information.

[Note]  I highly recommend doing a full backup with Complete PC, Ghost, TruImage or your backup software of choice before doing anything.  You never know if something might happen and having a good backup is a best practice.  You should also be aware that installing this RC1 turns on a time bomb that expires next summer.  When SP1 ships in production form, installing it removes the time bomb. 

Published Friday, December 07, 2007 11:34 AM by Keith Combs

Empower your sales team with increased licensing knowledge and expertise. Find out how you can qualify to receive up to five vouchers, each good for 50% off the regular Licensing Solutions competency Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam price. You may also qualify for a bonus voucher redeemable for one free exam.

Licensing Solutions Competency Certified for Success Offer

Achieving the Licensing Solutions competency can help establish your company as a Microsoft-recognized expert in designing or implementing complex Microsoft Volume Licensing or software asset management (SAM) solutions and differentiate your company from your competitors. Having two or more of your staff pass one of the three licensing solutions Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams is one of the requirements for attaining the Licensing Solutions competency. Learn how you can save on the MCP exam fee.

Licensing MCP Exam-Fee Savings

If you register to take one of the following Licensing Solutions competency MCP exams before December 31, 2007, you can receive a voucher for 50 percent off the regular MCP exam fee. Encourage your sales executives and consultants to take these Microsoft exams (you can request up to 5 vouchers for your company).

• Exam 70-121: Designing and Providing Microsoft Licensing Solutions to Small and Medium Organizations

• Exam 70-122: Designing and Providing Microsoft Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations

• Exam 70-123: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Software Asset Management (SAM) Program

Bonus Offer: Free Exam Voucher

The first 500 Microsoft partners to meet the three criteria below will receive a free exam voucher (limit one per company):

1. One individual in your company has passed any of these Microsoft competency MCP exams:

   • Exam 70-121: Designing and Providing Microsoft Licensing Solutions to Small and Medium Organizations

   • Exam 70-122: Designing and Providing Microsoft Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations

   • Exam 70-123: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Software Asset Management (SAM) Program

2. Your company has met the sales qualification for the Licensing Solutions competency within the last 12 months (unless pursuing the SAM specialization). The sales requirement is based on a rolling 12-month cycle and must be met annually.

3. Have a minimum of three approved/active references in the Licensing Solutions competency prior to requesting the free voucher. All three references must be active through June 30, 2008* to qualify. If a reference will expire before this time, simply submit a new one. View the customer reference guidelines.

*References are active for 12 months from the date of approval. Contact your Regional Service Center for more information.

Request Your Exam Voucher Now

If you meet the above criteria, submit a request for an exam voucher. Requests must be made using the Latin alphabet (for example, English, French, German, etc.). Only one voucher request permitted per submission. Note: voucher numbers will be sent via email to the requestor and will contain redemption instructions. All vouchers expire on December 31, 2007. Schedule your exam and redeem your voucher before that date.

Free Preparation for the Exams

Get ready to take the MCP exams for the Licensing Solutions competency with online tutorials, preparation guides, and practice tests:

Free Preparation for License Delivery Specialization MCP Exams

Free Preparation for SAM Specialization MCP Exam

^{Licensing Solutions competency “Certified for Success” offer is good only for Microsoft partners who are at the Registered Member level or above. "Certified for Success Bonus” offer is good only for Microsoft partners who are at the Registered Member level or above, and meet the specified qualifications described on this page. “Certified for Success” offers a limit of five (5) 50 percent-off MCP Exam Fee Vouchers per company and “Certified for Success Bonus” offers a limit of one (1) 100 percent-off MCP Exam Fee Voucher per company. These offers are non-transferable outside of your company. Only voucher requests using a company email address will be accepted. Voucher numbers will be sent via email. Any voucher returned (via email) as non-deliverable will not be re-sent. All voucher requests for the “Certified for Success” offer and “Certified for Success Bonus” offer must be submitted by December 31, 2007. “Certified for Success” vouchers will be available while supplies last. “Certified for Success Bonus” vouchers will be available to the first 500 Microsoft partners. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash. Please allow 10-15 business days for shipment of your voucher. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.}

Email if you have further questions regarding this offer.

As a valued Microsoft Partner, we would like to extend to you the opportunity to Exhibit or Sponsor at Tech·Ed and reach a large portion of your target audience — all in one place.
Tech·Ed U.S. Developers, June 3-6, 2008
Tech·Ed U.S. IT Professionals, June 10-13, 2008

Partner Integration at Tech·Ed 2008:
Sponsorship Opportunities – Tech·Ed offers a selection of Sponsorship Packages designed to deliver a level of marketing that will meet your event objectives.
Exhibition Opportunities – Tech·Ed expands the exhibition offerings to include a turnkey booth option as well as an Early Bird discount of $1,000 off the standard fee, if you register by February 1, 2008. You will also want to register early to secure the best booth location; registration opens on December 11, 2007.

As an Exhibitor or Sponsor at Tech·Ed 2008, you can:

• Increase your sales reach to a targeted technical audience. Enhance the effectiveness of your company and product awareness campaigns by leveraging Tech·Ed to reach a highly targeted audience eager to learn how your latest products and solutions can integrate with their existing infrastructure.
• Accelerate marketing and sales cycles. Boost existing sales opportunities and develop future sales leads by building a marketing database of qualified prospects. Tech·Ed delivers a large number of high-quality influencers and decision-makers from the companies most likely to purchase your products and services.
• Strengthen your Microsoft alliance. Access over 800 Microsoft TLC staff and speakers, ranging from Product Managers to Directors. You can cultivate key contacts and strengthen existing relationships that can help you optimize your alliance and leverage your partnership to create new opportunities.

For an overview of Exhibition and Sponsorship opportunities at Tech·Ed 2008, please click here or e-mail teexpo@microsoft.com.