March 2008 - Posts
Today Microsoft announced Windows Mobile 6.1! Learn more about this new update to Windows Mobile during this one-hour webcast. Fred Pullen, a former member of the TS2 Team, has moved to the Microsoft Mobility Team and is delivering this event. Looks to be a good one! Check this one out. It's free and has great info!
Event Title: Windows Mobile Update: Overview for Mobile Operators (April 2, 2008 8:00 AM PT)
The combination of Windows Mobile and the System Center Mobile Device Manager enable more integrated and potentially profitable methods for you to deploy and manage mobile devices for your customers. In this one-hour Webcast we will cover why Mobile Operators should want to sell Windows Mobile with devices, and how you can win business customers for WM and related services. After attending this Webcast you will have a higher level of knowledge of the guidance, resources and tools needed to build successful businesses with Windows Mobile.
Event Details
Location & Provider: Online
Event ID: 241642
Dates & Times: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Time Zone: (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana
Duration: 1 Hour
Role: Marketing, Sales
Level: 100 - Introductory
Format: Web Seminars (Live)
Register Here!
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1787880&page=/plc/search_adv.aspx#
From Eric Ligman's MSSMALLBIZ Blog...
"Starting Monday, March 24th at 9:00 am PST, we will start streaming the Microsoft Small Business Summit here to the Blog and continue running it until 9:00 pm PST on Thursday, March 27th. It is four days filled with information, resources, tips, etc. for small businesses and business owners everywhere."
The Microsoft Small Business Summit is playing live over the web. Go to http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/ and check it out folks....
Getting certified on Microsoft technologies is a requirement for earning a Microsoft Competency. And can help you demonstrate your expertise to customers and employers. Prepare and practice to achieve Microsoft certifications more quickly and cost-effectively.
Free Certification Planning Guide
Receive valuable guidance about the Partner Skills Plus offers that can help you prepare for, practice for, and achieve your certification in the latest Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and Microsoft Exchange 2007. Choose offers highlighted in the free Partner Skills Plus Certification Planning Guide based on your learning style. Pass your certification exam on the first try. And save money.
Prepare for Certification
Save 60% on Online Mentoring
Need help to ensure that you pass the certification exam on the first try? Take advantage of Exam COACH by Global Mentoring Solutions (GMS), a Microsoft exam-preparation service* that provides immediate, online access to Microsoft Certified Trainers, Engineers, and Developers. Get 60 days of custom mentoring that can help you certify more quickly by:
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Developing a certification timeline and helping you to achieve it—and your certification.
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Offering 30 additional, free days of mentoring to help pass the exam if needed.**
At 60% off the retail price, you can now save big with GMS Exam COACH. Learn more.
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Save 35% on E-Learning Courses
You can build skills and gain knowledge with self-paced, in-depth Microsoft E-Learning courses. Do you learn best independently? If so, these training courses provide a simple and effective way to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Online courses include pre- and post-assessments, as well as simulations of real-world scenarios to help you train and achieve certification more quickly.
Save 35% on two new-generation of certification e-learning course collections for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005, the Windows Vista operating system, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Learn more.
Save 45% on Microsoft Press Books and Training Kits
Get ready for Microsoft new-generation and Microsoft Dynamics certification exams more quickly with Microsoft Press books and training kits. The training kits provide offical Microsoft study guides, case scenarios, lab exercises, and more. And both resources cover the latest Microsoft products and technologies. Receive an exclusive 45% online savings* on the books and training kits. Learn more.
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Practice for Certification
Free Practice Tests
Be confident in your ability to pass your certification exam* on the first try. Use free practice tests from Measure Up—a Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider. These practice tests closely simulate the actual exam experience and provide detailed answers and explanations of practice test results. Learn more.
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Achieve Certification - and Save
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Attaining certification on Microsoft technologies helps your organization meet Microsoft competency requirements—and win more business. Get significant savings today, with 32% off certification exam fees and as many exam savings vouchers as you need to earn your Microsoft new-generation and Dynamics exam certifications. Learn more.
For more savings on Microsoft Dynamics certification exams, refer to your Partner Service Plan for Microsoft Dynamics. It includes vouchers for 50% off certification exam fees, along with unlimited access to Microsoft E-Learning and training materials for Microsoft Dynamics.
Get a Free Second Chance to Pass a Certification Exam
Get a second chance* to pass your Microsoft certification exam—for free with the Second Shot offer. For the cost of only one certification exam, you receive two chances to pass it. Learn more.
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Learn how much you can save on Partner Skills Plus offers and what offers are available for your certification exams.
Here is Your Chance to Check out CRM! Got to a CRM 4.0 Launch Event Near you and Download an EVAL copy of CRM 4.0 and see just how good this product really is!
This is your opportunity. Embrace CRM 4.0 with a Launch Event near you.
http://www.microsoft.com/click/dynamicscrmlaunch/default.html
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the right choice for your business. Attend an exclusive launch event to discover why. Microsoft Dynamics CRM will help you spend more time focusing on results and less time worrying about the technology you use to manage customer relationships.
At this exclusive launch event, you will:
Learn from industry experts about the latest trends for driving performance improvements across sales, customer service, and marketing.
Hear directly from Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers how they have been able to increase revenues, deepen customer relationships, and improve customer satisfaction.
Be among the first to see the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 as well as the ground-breaking Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live, a new software-as-a-service solution hosted by Microsoft.
View Sponsors: http://www.microsoft.com/click/dynamicscrmlaunch/sponsors.htm
CRM Software - Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Partners, go to this site to really get the down and dirty on the Open Value Subscription Program.
https://partner.microsoft.com/40055360
Microsoft Open Value Subscription is a comprehensive, subscription-based Volume Licensing program that enables you to offer customers the lowest up-front costs with flexibility to add and reduce the number of licenses at each anniversary. This program best suits small to midsize organizations that have an existing network of five to 250 desktop PCs, value a competitive pricing model, and need to comply with the latest technology. It includes Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing, our comprehensive maintenance program.
Program Details:
Market Segment
This program is available to your qualifying commercial and government customers.
License Type
The Open Value Subscription program offers nonperpetual (or subscription) licenses, which provide the right to use a particular licensed product until the end of the agreement term.
Products Included
Under the Open Value Subscription program, customers can acquire one of two defined software platforms or their individual platform components:
The desktop platform products must be standardized company-wide; customers must order licenses for all qualified devices that can run any of the desktop platform products they have chosen. The only devices that customers need not order licenses for are PCs that are used as servers, devices that contain an embedded operating system, such as thin clients and Pocket PCs, and devices that are used only for line-of-business applications, like a hotel management system.
All customers can acquire additional non-desktop platform products as specified in their license agreement.
Software Maintenance Options
Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing is a comprehensive maintenance offering that helps customers maximize the business value from their technology investments. Software Assurance benefits vary with each Volume Licensing program. In addition, server licenses come with benefits that are different from those for desktop licenses.
Software Assurance benefits for the Open Value Subscription program include New Version Rights, Spread Payments, Information Work Solution Services, Windows Vista Enterprise Upgrade, Training Vouchers, Microsoft E-Learning, Employee Purchase Program, Home Use Program, 24x7 Problem-Resolution Support, “Cold” Backups for Disaster Recovery, TechNet Subscriptions Through Software Assurance, and Extended Hotfix Support.
Software Assurance is included for every license acquired through the Open Value Subscription program at the time of license acquisition (license and Software Assurance pack) and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement.
Licensing Offerings
The Open Value Subscription program offers license and Software Assurance packs and a license buy-out option at the end of the agreement term, which allows customers to turn nonperpetual licenses into perpetual licenses.
Online Services
Microsoft Online Services are offered through the Open Value Subscription program.
Pricing
Contact your Microsoft Authorized Distributor for pricing information.
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Initial Order. Customers must acquire a minimum of five desktop license and Software Assurance packs to enter the Open Value Subscription program. And the initial order must include at least one desktop platform product to distribute company-wide. Customers who acquire the complete Professional Desktop Platform or Small Business Desktop Platform are eligible for additional savings of approximately 37% off the estimated retail price of the license. In addition, the Open Value Subscription program offers an “up-to-date” discount of up to 50% off the first annual payment for estimated retail prices of existing desktop platform product licenses of the current (N) or previous (N-1) version. In EMEA, customers who order 250 or more license and Software Assurance packs through their initial orders receive a volume discount.
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Additional Orders. Subsequent orders can be as small as one license and Software Assurance pack, and can be either company-wide or non-company-wide. Each year on the agreement anniversary, the customer must count the number of qualified desktop PCs in the organization and issue an annual purchase order. If the number of qualified desktop PCs has risen or diminished, customers may adjust their desktop platform product license and Software Assurance packs so that they’re only paying for the licenses they need (“true up” or “true down”). Still, a minimum of five desktop PCs must be licensed. For additional products not included in the Professional Desktop Platform or Small Business Desktop Platform, customers may increase or decrease other product license and Software Assurance packs annually if the number of installations has changed, with no minimum required. Customers must place new orders for additional products when installing the software and putting it in use.
Licensing Fulfillment
One media kit is shipped at no charge with the initial order of every product through the Open Value Subscription program. Subsequent orders of the same product will not include a media kit. Media kits for new versions of each product released during the duration of the license agreement are automatically shipped to the customer. If customers wish to acquire additional media kits, or would like media kits for software products not in the initial order, they must acquire them separately, at an additional cost. Customers can also download software from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Services (MVLS) website.
Payment Options
Payment is spread annually, with one payment made each year.
Agreement Term
The Open Value Subscription program offers a three-year license agreement term that begins with each new initial order.
Agreement Renewal Options
At the end of the three-year Open Value Subscription program agreement, customers have the option to renew their subscription agreement for another three years; buy out their agreement and convert subscription licenses to perpetual licenses; or uninstall and stop using the software. The buyout option fee is approximately 1.75 times the annual fee and is due in full upon order. Customers who choose the buyout option can continue their Software Assurance benefits by starting a new Open Value program agreement for Software Assurance only, within 30 days of the expiration of the Open Value Subscription program agreement.
Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 is coming in the second half of 2008. The enhanced platform, part of the new Windows Essential Server Solutions family,is built on the Windows Server 2008 operating system and includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. With SBS 2008, you can deliver cost-effective, manageable, enterprise-class technologies to your small-business customers with up to 50 workstations or devices,and grow your server-solutions business.
Coming in the second half of 2008, Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008, also known as Windows Server code name “Cougar,” is the next generation of Microsoft’s award-winning integrated server solution for small businesses (up to 50 users or network devices). Part of the Windows Essential Server Solutions family, SBS 2008 offers an ideal combination of technologies and management capabilities for your small-business customers. Streamlined installation and management functions improve your customers’ operational efficiency and free you to focus on your role as trusted advisor, as you help your customers grow their business capacity at an affordable, manageable pace.
Product Details
What’s New in SBS 2008
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The latest versions of component technologies, including the Windows Server 2008 operating system, Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.
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Based on 64-bit technology.
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New network-wide configuration, management, and reporting capabilities to streamline deployment.
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Enhanced security, backup, and recovery capabilities.
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Improved remote access and collaboration through enhancements to Remote Web Workplace, integration with Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, and new capabilities in Exchange Server 2007.
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Premium Edition: Business Application Ready, with an additional copy of Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server on a separate server.
“In the area of management, we really think that the change to SBS 2008 is going to be one of the key things that we can utilize. It has great functionality that enables our customers’ IT professionals to watch things day to day and to communicate with us about issues they may find as they use the management tools that are built in. We’re excited about that opportunity; it really lines up well with our managed services offering.”—Arlin Sorensen, Heartland Technology Solutions
Strategic Business Opportunities
Millions of small businesses are not using server technology at all. Sell them their first server and position yourself as the go-to resource for technology advice and purchases. Because SBS 2008 offers enterprise-class technology aimed at small businesses, you can help your customers upgrade affordably and at a manageable pace. And new migration models and tools make upgrading or migrating to SBS 2008 from legacy systems or previous versions of Windows Server or SBS easier than ever.
“It’s going to reduce the amount of time and effort required to implement the technology, and I think that’s going to allow us to have deeper relationships with our customers, win additional customers, and really distinguish ourselves, or differentiate ourselves, as competitors in the marketplace.”—Brad Kowerchuk, Bralin Technology Solutions
Hear from Your Peers
View these testimonials and hear other partners talk about SBS 2008 and what it can do for their businesses.
Brad Kowerchuk, Bralin Technology Solutions
Hear from Brad about how SBS 2008 will help him focus the discussion on business with new and existing customers.
Erik Thorsell, Success Computer Consulting
Listen to Erik discuss how he can leverage SBS 2008 to sell more services based on Windows SharePoint Services.
John Endter, E Squared C
Hear from John about how SBS 2008 will benefit both his business and his customers.
Arlin Sorensen, Heartland Technology Solutions
Listen to Arlin discuss how he can use the technologies included in SBS 2008 to increase his business opportunities.
Windows Essential Server Solutions
SBS 2008 belongs to the new Windows Essential Server Solutions family of integrated server software for small and midsize businesses that delivers enterprise-class technology without the complexity.
Learn More
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
Get ready for SBS 2008—continue to build your business now with SBS 2003 R2. A wide array of resources helps you learn about this solution and understand its place in your small-business practice.
Learn More
Readiness Training at SMB Summit
Get up to speed on technical and business training around SBS 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 at the SMB Summit in April 2008. Attend training and technical overviews and network with peers. Space is limited—register now.
Get Details and Sign Up
This is a repost of a Blog is from Eric Ligman's MSSmallBiz Blog. http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz. if you do not subscribe to Eric's Blog you should add it to your list to read!
"You know the sayings, “Put your money where your mouth is,” and “time is money.” Well, I’m offering up $150,000 to the Microsoft Partner and Reseller 
reps out there for some of your time. Since the beginning of January, I have been giving you information about the new Open Value Subscription Program and sharing the successes our counterparts in other subsidiaries have been seeing in helping SMB customers take advantage of technology in ways they have never been able to before through this exciting new offer. In addition, I have been sharing how the Microsoft Partners and resellers in these subsidiaries have been seeing great success with this program in growing their services and software businesses as well. Now it is your turn.
As of this past Monday, March 3rd, the Open Value Subscription program is now available here in the US and Canada. You can now have the conversation with your clients about how they can take advantage of this new offering as Easy as 1-2-3 for their businesses. Will it take you a few extra minutes to present this new option? Sure. Will it take you a few tries to get the hang of it? Maybe. (Just remember the basic 1-2-3 and it will definitely help) Will it be worth it to you and your clients to do so? We sure think so!
With this, we’re putting our money ($150,000!!) where our mouth is and converting your time spent to money. Here’s how it works, we are offering a $100 per new Open Value Subscription Agreement spiff to any sales rep who sells a new Open Value Agreement between March 3, 2008 and June 27, 2008 to a company with between 5 and 250 PCs. It is that simple.
Unlike other promotions and rebates out there that take place at the company level (the company gets the rebate money), this one I am offering to the sales reps themselves! That’s right. The sales rep at the Microsoft Partner or reseller who actually sells the Open Value Subscription Agreement is the one eligible to receive the $100 spiff. Plus, it gets even better. I am not going to put any limits on how many spiffs each individual can earn! So if you sell 100 qualifying new Open Value Subscription Agreements to 100 companies with between 5 and 250 PCs between March 3, 2008 and June 27, 2008 and claim them through this offer, I will gladly send you a check for $10,000! (100 agreements X $100 per agreement = $10,000). Here are some details you need to know:
- I am offering the spiff on new Open Value Subscription agreements sold between March 3 and June 27, 2008
- It is available only on agreements sold to companies having between 5 and 250 PCs
- Only one $100 spiff will be paid per agreement and per end-customer company
- It is available only to sales reps located in the US and for agreements sold to companies in the US
- The spiff offer ends either end of day on June 27, 2008 or when we hit 1,500 spiffs claimed, whichever happens first
To claim your spiff, you will have to enter in the Agreement # of the qualifying Open Value Subscription Agreement you sold along with the name of the company you sold it to on the spiff claim site, along with your information for the check. The Open Value Subscription (OVS) spiff claim site will be live very shortly. We will also have the full Terms and Conditions of the offer posted on the site as well once the site goes live. Don’t worry, even though the site is not live yet, your sales of qualifying new Open Value Subscription Agreements sold as of March 3, 2008 will still qualify and you will be able to submit them once the site goes live. Remember, the offer is only available for the first 1,500 qualifying new Open Value Subscription Agreements sold, so be sure to get yours in and claimed to get your part of the $150,000 in prize money we’re offering up through this offer!
Don’t forget to have your clients also claim their portion of the Big Easy Partner subsidy dollars (you can read more on this in my “Open Value Subscription now added to the Big Easy promotion,” post ) we are offering up for their new Open Value Subscription orders as well and good luck to all of you!
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Eric Ligman
Microsoft US Senior Manager
Small Business Community Engagement
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Open Value Subscription,rebate,spiff,contest,Big Easy,Partner subsidy,Microsoft Partner Program
Published Monday, March 10, 2008 4:32 AM by mssmallbiz
Filed under: Licensing, Promotions & Offers, Partner Information, Offers, Open Value Subscription"
Microsoft Online Services fuse customer choice with partner revenue opportunities
At last year's Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer described the industry's shift to a software-plus-services strategy: a combination of on-premises, partner-hosted, and Microsoft-hosted software that empowers customers by offering richer applications and more choices. Today, Chairman Bill Gates announced Microsoft Online Services: reliable, secure, enterprise-class software delivered as subscription services that you sell and Microsoft hosts.
Microsoft Online Services provide the rich interactivity of on-premises client and server applications, and the flexibility and scalability of Web-based services. You can generate predictable recurring revenue streams through new managed services, business-process consulting, tier-one end-user support, and your own value-added services. Efficiently expand your customer base with the new, easy-to-deploy Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Office SharePoint Online implementations, without adding infrastructure or headcount.
Offer your small- and midsize-business customers real-time collaboration and integrated experiences regardless of device or location, technologies. Your customers decrease routine, time-consuming IT administration and associated costs, increase operational efficiencies, and improve business agility.
Learn how you can capitalize on the hosted services opportunity, which IDC predicts will experience a 32 percent compound annual growth rate worldwide through 2011.
FEATURES:
Microsoft Online Services in Action
Watch videos that give a variety of perspectives about the benefits of the Online Services opportunity.
RESOURCES:
Register to Participate in the Microsoft Online Services Limited Beta
A limited number of slots are available for the beta trial of the Microsoft Online Services products, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Office SharePoint Online.
Already In the Hosting Industry?
Partner hosted services play a key role in how customers consume Microsoft software. Join the Microsoft Hosting Program and consider acquiring the Microsoft Partner Program Hosting Solutions Specialization. Gain access to a host of tools and resources that can help you reduce operational costs, and drive new revenue streams, by deploying enhanced managed services.
Training on the Microsoft US Partner Learning Center
Visit the new Microsoft US Partner Learning Center (PLC) to find the latest training resources. To access the site, you will need to Sign In with your Windows Live ID. If this is your first time visiting the PLC, please take a moment to first set your training preferences.
Webcast, March 5: Overview of Microsoft Online Services
Join us on March 5 to learn about the Microsoft software-plus-services strategy and the upcoming Microsoft Online Services products announced on March 3 by Bill Gates, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Office SharePoint Online.
Webcast, March 7: Microsoft Online Services - Questions Partners Are Asking
With the March 3 announcement about the next phase of the Microsoft software-plus-services strategy, Microsoft Online Services, partners have questions about their opportunity and how to take best advantage of it. In this webcast we will address the most common questions we have had from partners.
Webcast, April 2: Overview of Microsoft Online Services
Join us on April 2 to learn about the Microsoft software-plus-services strategy and the upcoming Microsoft Online Services products announced on March 3 by Bill Gates, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Office SharePoint Online.
May 2008 - Microsoft Online Services Roadshow
Integrate Microsoft Online Services into your business plans. Register today for a no-charge, live classroom training that will take place across the United States beginning in May 2008. Learn more about software plus services and the Microsoft Online Services partner opportunity.
You will also get a sneak peak at the new version of SBS at the Partner segment! Why are you not going?
Register here! http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx
Look me or any of the TS2 Team at these Partner Launch events!
Take a test drive
Come to an event and test drive Windows Server® 2008 operating system, Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008, and Microsoft Visual Studio® 2008.
Meet the experts
Enjoy hands-on labs, face-to-face Q&A sessions with software experts, and other opportunities to interact with development team members.
Bring the products home
Want more? To say thanks for taking part of this exciting launch, you’ll take home a promotional kit with versions of all three products.
Registered attendees must by 18 years old by February 27, 2008 to attend this event. For those eligible, you must be 21 years old by February 27, 2008 to attend the Launch Evening Celebration.
Product giveaway kit good only for attendees of 2008 Launch Wave event, events that are targeted towards IT professionals. Limit one launch giveaway kit per person. All kits must be claimed at the event. This offer is non-transferable and expires on June 30, 2008 while supplies last. Offer is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.