October 2007 - Posts
Visit Launch Central to Make the Most Out of the Upcoming Launches
The launch of Windows Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 is coming soon. The availability of these products provides a significant revenue opportunity for Microsoft Partners. Prepare to offer a flexible, secure solution that helps your customers to meet the demands of their business.
Find all the latest info on recent and upcoming launches. Check back for what’s new and what’s next for Microsoft product launches.
Unified Communications
Simplify your clients’ office communications while creating a significant revenue opportunity for yourself. Click here for tools and resources.
Windows Vista, 2007 Microsoft Office System and Exchange Server 2007
Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and Exchange Server 2007 represent the most significant product launch in the history of Microsoft. Click here to learn more.
Windows Server 2008
It's time to start preparing for the next generation Windows Server operating system. With its powerful tools and flexible platform, the new Windows Server can be a valuable resource for your customers’ success. Click here for the latest on Windows Server 2008.
Visual Studio 2008
Visual Studio 2008 will enable developers and development teams to rapidly create connected applications on the latest platforms. Click here to learn more as we move towards releasing Visual Studio 2008.
SQL Server 2008
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 will provide your customers a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform that will enable them to run their most demanding mission critical applications and reduce development costs. Click here to learn more about this upcoming opportunity.
Customers purchasing Windows Vista through an Open Value or Select License Agreement between May 1 and October 31, 2007 will save 15%.(discounted value will appear on the Price List). This offer extends to customers who have purchased new PCs within the last 90 days, or who intend to purchase new PCs within the promotional period.
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise Edition. License Types are Open Value Company Wide, Open Value Non Company Wide, and Select L&SA.
www.microsoftincentives.com
Purchase After
5/1/2007
Purchase By
10/31/2007
Redeem By
10/31/2007
Description:
Get the benefits of Open Value for the price of Open L&SA. Adding Software Assurance through Open Value or Select you get:
(1) The rights to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise for less than the price of Windows Vista Business alone!
(2) Exclusive access to Software Assurance benefits, including Windows Vista Enterprise with features like Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption.
(3) The option to purchase Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.
Action:
Purchase Windows Vista Business on Open Value or Select L&SA during this promotional period. All changes are reflected on the Price List.
Visit Launch Central to Learn About Windows Server 2008 and Tools Launch
The launch of Windows Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 is coming soon. The availability of these products provides a significant revenue opportunity for Microsoft Partners. Prepare to offer a flexible, secure solution that helps your customers to meet the demands of their business.
Microsoft has introduced several changes to simplify the Volume Licensing process. These include program-agreement updates, fulfillment improvements, price-list changes, and new self-service online tools—all designed to help you save time on customer consultations and speed up your sales cycle. Learn more to effectively communicate the changes to your sales staff and customers.
Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing
Our new license-quote application helps you recommend product and licensing solutions for your customers. Optimize the sales process. And build new revenue opportunities. LicenseWise integrates with Microsoft Product Licensing Advisor (MPLA) for seamless partner-to-customer quote sharing. Linked via a unique MPLA quote ID, LicenseWise lets you view a customer’s requirements, recommend additional products or other customizations, and complete the quote.
Explore Now
Revised Volume Licensing Fulfillment Delivery Model
We’ve improved how software updates are delivered to customers with active media subscriptions through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Enterprise Agreement and Select License programs: In an effort to reduce packaging and help protect the environment, Microsoft is now shipping only our most widely used products on CD or DVD. Updates for all other products are available either via electronic download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Services website or by purchasing disk kits from a Microsoft reseller. Get the facts to understand this change and to answer customer questions.
Learn More
Microsoft Volume Licensing Program Agreement Updates
We've updated our Volume Licensing program agreements to simplify and speed up the licensing process for you and your customers. Get a high-level overview of the changes, along with links to resources that go into greater detail. Find out how these enhancements can help you spend less time and effort on each agreement, freeing you to devote more attention to growing your business.
Get Details
Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center
Discover a new online tool that makes it easy for your customers to manage Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements, download licensed products, and access volume license keys. And frees you to focus on generating more sales leads and closing more deals.
Learn More
Volume Licensing Pricing Updates
To help you and your customers find pricing information more easily, we've reduced the number of price points and SKUs in the Open License, Open Value, and Select License Volume Licensing programs. Individual-language SKUs with the same price have been merged into one SKU called "Single Language." For example, “SQL Server English” now reads “SQL Server Single Language.” This consolidation can help you save time and speed up your sales cycle by shortening the education and evaluation phases of your customer consultations.
Get Details
Join the Microsoft Licensing Solutions Competency
Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners who hold the Licensing Solutions competency are uniquely positioned to take advantage of business opportunities in all aspects of Volume Licensing. With a License Delivery specialization, you can leverage exclusive Microsoft Partner Program resources to help you drive revenue from simplifying your customers' software acquisition, deploying licensed products, and helping to manage and maximize your customers' software investments. More than 850 partners worldwide hold Licensing Solutions certifications. By 2008 that number is expected to nearly double. Find out how gaining the competency can help you grow your business.
Enroll Now
Additional Resources
Volume Licensing Simplified: FAQ
Volume Licensing Simplified: Presentation
Open License Program Information
Open Value Program Information
Select License Program Information
Enterprise Agreement Program Information
Volume Licensing Programs Comparison Chart
On October 17th at Storage Networking World, Ted Kummert, Microsoft Corporate VP for Data and Storage Platforms announced the release to manufacturing of System Center Data Protection Manager 2007.
With the RTM, we are now counting down the days until General Availability (GA) in November, where the product will be available through all of the traditional channels, including Microsoft Partners, Volume Licenses (VL/EA), as well as there will be OEM appliances running DPM 2007 which will be announced at our launch.
DPM 2007 is scheduled to officially launch in November at Microsoft Tech-Ed IT Forum, in Barcelona, Spain – along with other components of the System Center family of management products.
So, if you have not already done so, please visit the new DPM website for updated product information and download the evaluation software.
And for a more personal observation on the announcement today, check out Jason’s blog on the RTM as well.
Millions of small business owners, just like you, are relying on untrained or under-trained people to support their critical business computer systems. Most simply don’t know where to look to find qualified support for their network. To assist with this, Microsoft® has developed a network of over 5,000 Small Business Specialists in the U.S.
If you’re looking for a technology specialist that focuses on the needs of Small Business, look for the Microsoft® Small Business Specialist designation
Microsoft Small Business Specialists offer technology advice, support, and service specific to your small business. Every Microsoft Small Business Specialist has gone through specialized training to help them better respond to the special technology needs of small businesses. By focusing on your unique IT needs, a Microsoft Small Business Specialist can assist you in making smart technology decisions for your company.
Here are some of the benefits of using a Microsoft Small Business Specialist:
- Peace of Mind
You can feel confident knowing that Microsoft Small Business Specialists have the technical etraining and commitment to support your specific technology challenges. - Efficiency
Microsoft Small Business Specialists are experts in small business technology. They can help you choose and implement the right solution for your business quickly and easily, saving you time and money. - More Choices
You select the specialist you'd like to work with from a network of local experts.
Learn more about working with a Small Business Specialist:
http://www.wevegottaguy.com/
http://www.ts2seminars.com/liveEvents.aspx
Introducing Microsoft TS2 Power Series Events.
If you’re interested in taking greater advantage of the training and services available to Microsoft Partners, we invite you to attend our newest offering, the Microsoft TS2 Power Series Events. These events are broken into separate morning and afternoon sessions, but we encourage you to stay for the full day to gain the most insight and information. The morning begins with the sales and support tips of a regular TS2 event, but then the afternoon sessions dive deeper into how the Microsoft Partner Program can dramatically help grow your business.
Plus, all attendees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to WIN a free copy
of Windows Vista Ultimate/2007 Microsoft Office Professional, Small Business
Server 2008, and much more. No purchase necessary. Open to event attendees. Winner must be present to win. For full rules, click here.
Choose an event in your area to learn more
--- Select Location --- Seattle, WA 11/15/2007 Chicago, IL 11/29/2007 Irvine, CA 12/04/2007 New York, NY 12/06/2007 Columbus, OH 12/11/2007 Austin, TX 12/13/2007 Tampa, FL 12/13/2007 Vienna, VA 12/18/2007 Phoenix, AZ 12/20/2007 
Hey Partners! I worked with the guy who wrote this back in PSS. He is a Rock Star! A lot of you probably worked with him or his Team (SBS Support) You should check this one out!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=3874527A-DE19-49BB-800F-352F3B6F2922&displaylang=en
The Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices Analyzer examines a server that is running Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS) and presents a list of information and errors that administrators should review.
The Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices Analyzer examines a server that is running Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Windows SBS) and presents a list of information and errors that administrators should review.
The Windows SBS Best Practices Analyzer examines the server and collects configuration information from many sources including:
• Active Directory Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
• Registry
• Metabase
After collecting information about server configuration, the Windows SBS Best Practices Analyzer verifies that the information is correct and then presents administrators with a list of issues sorted by severity. The list describes each issue and provides a recommendation or possible solution.
Partners,
Ready-to-Go Campaigns save you time and money by providing professionally developed and customizable marketing materials all in one convenient location.
With targeted prospect criteria and lists, sales and marketing content based on your business needs, and proven marketing techniques, you will spend less time thinking about marketing and more time focusing on your business. You have to check this out! https://partner.microsoft.com/us/40035464?msp_id=readytogo
New Ready-to-Go Campaigns Available
Whatever your business focus, you will find a campaign that fits your needs. Start a campaign now.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM New!
Microsoft Dynamics CRM (customer relationship management) provides a flexible and affordable solution helping enable your customer’s employees to make more informed decisions on revenue opportunities, producing consistent and measurable improvement in their business processes – using tools and technology they already know and use.
First Server, Right Server New!
In the United States alone, there are over one million small businesses running an old or outdated server, and many more with no server at all. This campaign gives you the materials and guidance to identify sales opportunities, generate demand and close sales using proven tactics.
Linux Win Back New!
Help your customers achieve greater business value at a lower total cost of ownership by migrating from Linux-based alternatives to the Windows Platform
Application Platform Infrastructure Optimization
Help Customers build connected and adaptable systems that align IT with business priorities. IDC estimates that business intelligence and scorecarding represent a potential $26 billion service opportunity.
Optimize and Secure Your Core Infrastructure
Leverage your infrastructure optimization expertise with security and infrastructure management solutions. IDC forecasts a $945 million licensing opportunity for Windows based IT infrastructure solutions.
Business Productivity Infrastructure Optimization New Content!
NEW Unified Communications Campaign materials
BPIO is designed to help customers amplify the impact of their people with a business productivity infrastructure based on the 2007 Microsoft Office system—a complete set of desktop and server software and services that help streamline the way people do business while increasing IT effectiveness. As a key BPIO capability, Unified Communications represents a $10B opportunity in the U.S. market. Take advantage of the unified communications opportunity and start your campaign today!
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Satisfy customer demands for new and improved messaging capabilities with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Midmarket customers spend an average of $41,800 on Exchange Server deployment services.
Upgrade the Desktop
Accelerate desktop sales and service opportunities with new Windows Vista Business and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007. According to IDC, in 2007, for every dollar Microsoft makes on Windows Vista, partners will earn $18.
Branch Office Solution
Capitalize on the growing demand for remote office solutions. Over a third of all businesses have branch offices.
Announcing Worldwide Partner Conference 2008: Houston, Texas
You're invited to attend the 2008 Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Houston, Texas, July 7-10. The fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston has emerged as the Gulf Coast's cultural capital. A major U.S. hub for international business and trade, Houston boasts industry leadership in energy, information technology, medicine, and space exploration. The city is hip. Diverse. And offers a world-class art scene and the kind of cuisine foodies crave. Read what Houston-based Microsoft partners have to say about their community. Ready to start planning? We are, too. Share your ideas, and we'll design sessions to support your profitability needs.
Sharing from Eric Ligman's Blog...Great stuff for our SBSC Community! Thanks Eric!
That's right! You've asked for it and we're delivering! I just announced during the keynote at SMB Nation that we are launching a to-customer SBSC brand awareness campaign that kicks off on Monday. Since the very first day we launched the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Program, we said this day would be coming and I am very proud to announce it is here.
This is a U.S. wide campaign containing multiple different elements: Online videos, web banners & web buttons on small business websites, press releases, the www.WeveGottaGuy.com website, online news agencies, and more. The campaign is called the, "We've Gotta Guy," campaign and the premise behind it is simple. How many times have you been talking with a prospective client and been told, "We've Gotta Guy?" It could be their brother-in-law, a friend, a colleague's nephew from college, whatever. Whoever "the guy" is, they are betting their critical business systems on them and putting their businesses at risk. So we are reaching out to small businesses through a variety of ways to convey the message that there is professional assistance available to them in their local areas to help with their critical business systems and they are the Microsoft Small Business Specialists. The call to action, look for the Microsoft Small Business Specialist "badge."
I'll be posting more details about the campaign as it launches and more components come online. Just a heads up, don't expect everything in this campaign to look "business only" or "standard Microsoft issue." We're going to be trying some things a little out of the Microsoft norm as well and several pieces are intentionally fun, light-hearted, etc. This probably shouldn't come as too big of shock. After all, I didn't get tagged as, "Crazy Ligman" by Vlad for nothing... :-)
New Webcasts
Windows Server 2008 Technical Overview, Part 1 of 2
October 11, 2007. 9AM PDT.
More Information Add to Calendar
5W/50 Series - SB: Installation and Configuration of Windows SharePoint Services v3.0
October 12, 2007. 9AM PDT.
More Information Add to Calendar
Kickstart your winter sales with the bigger, better Buy Local
October 23, 2007. 10AM PDT.
More Information Add to Calendar
Configure and Manage Exchange Server 2003 on Windows SBS 2003
October 25, 2007. 9AM PDT.
More Information Add to Calendar
On-Demand
Watch one or more System Builder On-Demand webcasts and be entered to win a Zune! We are giving away one Zune per week through Dec 2, 2007, so if you don’t win at first, try again.
Resources
We will walk you step-by-step through the process of installing Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0 in a side-by-side configuration with WSS 2.0 on Windows Small Business Server 2003.
Got a great idea for a webcast? Let us know by completing the Webcast Suggestion Form.
Check out the US OEM Partner Center where you will find technical information, resources and events that are pertinent to any system builder
Hey TS2ers...Starting November 30, 2007, in order to receive the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription, new or renewing Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will need to pass a free online assessment (with a minimum score of 70 percent) from the Partner Learning Center. You can get a head start and find the right course quickly with this saved search for general courses or this one for Web Solution Providers (which qualifies you to receive the Base kit plus the Web Solutions special edition toolkit).