October 2008 - Posts
Partners, If you are not getting this already, check it out and sign up to get it. This monthly newsletter from Deb Ziegenhorn, Director or Partner Skills Development, and contains a great deal of good stuff for all of our Partners! Enjoy!
"The Learning Curve Newsletter
Welcome Partners!
The month of November brings with it the launches of two product sets. This is excellent news for our customers and therefore a great opportunity for you. Windows Essential Server Solutions (WESS) launches on November 12, comprising solutions for Small and Midsize Business: Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008. In The Vital Few below you will see a selection of training about Essential Business Server, and for good measure we’ve included sales and technical training links for Small Business Server. Also in November, Microsoft Online Services Business Productivity Online Suite will become available. It’s a mouthful to say, so I’ll just call it BPOS, but these Microsoft-hosted, subscription-based products offer customers a new level of flexibility and scalability while providing the rich interactivity of their on-premise counterparts. Our Launch Central page provides you links to information about both products.
I’d also like to call your attention to a couple of courses highlighted in The Vital Few because they represent a new learning modality that we are making available, Live Virtual Classroom Training. The two “Architect” classes offered for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (often called MOSS) are instructor-led trainings, but with the twist of being delivered via the Web instead of in a classroom. Using a blend of webcast and virtual lab, a live instructor provides a guided, hands-on learning environment. These trainings allow you to watch and listen as different tasks are demonstrated using Live Meeting, then switches you over to a virtual lab to try it hands-on and ask the instructor questions. It’s a pretty neat way to get deeply trained on a topic without the costs often associated with classroom training, and enjoy live training from the comfort of your office. To make these Live Virtual Classroom offerings even more accessible, we are offering two different sessions for each course - a morning or afternoon option.
This week, our newsletter includes:
Partner Learning News
The Vital Few
•Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
•Microsoft Essential Business Server 2008
•Virtualization
•Business Readiness Skills: Marketing
Like the idea of our new “Live Virtual Classroom Trainings”? Have an opinion about what else we can do to help your colleagues and you get skilled and educated? I’d love to hear from you. Visit our US partner learning blog and continue the conversation.
Until next time,
Deb
Deborah Ziegenhorn
Director, US Partner Skills Development Team
Windows Essential Server Solutions Launch: Sneak Peek Campaigns
To get you ready for the November 12 launch of this new family of server solutions for small and midsize customers--which includes Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008--we’ve created two new exciting Sneak Peek Ready-to-Go Campaigns. Each campaign is designed to help you get trained, update your Web site, generate demand, and follow up on leads.
We recommend these three Partnercasts to help you become acquainted with these new offerings:
•SBS/EBS/Windows Server: Which Is Right for Your Customer?
•Windows Small Business Server 2008: New Partner Opportunity
•Increase Your Revenue Opportunity with Windows Essential Business Server 2008
Add the Web Specialization to Your Custom Development Solutions Competency
Demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Web technologies by adding the Web Specialization to your Custom Development Solutions (CDS) Competency. If you are one of the first 100 individuals to enter campaign code CDSWEBDEV, you can earn a free exam voucher for one of the New Generation Certification Exams required to achieve the Web Development Specialization.
Refine Your Skills with the Information Worker Business Builder Series
Build your business with courses in the Information Worker Business Builder Series, which focus on taking your existing Microsoft practice and making it more productive and profitable. Using step-by-step playbooks, you will walk through the partner sales cycle and get a refresher on key business principles, best practices, and how to maximize the available Microsoft Partner Program tools. Four topics are covered, so you can choose the one that works the best for your business: Unified Communications, SharePoint, Business Intelligence and Performance Management or Project Management and Data Visualization.
New SQL Server 2008 Certification Exams Available
Two new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (TS) exams are now available: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance and Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance. Four additional exams are expected to be released between November and January. Find out how these exams tie to certifications and competencies by visiting the New Generation Certification Exam Map. View our course listings for SQL Server 2008 sales and SQL Server 2008 technical training.
Digital WPC: Join the Conversation
Watch keynotes from Microsoft execs, industry leaders, and peers. Blog with other partners, and view the latest demos.
Each week, “The Vital Few” will highlight must-attend training opportunities to help you grow your business. This week, our selections for you include best practices and partner success stories as well as opportunities to drive revenue for your company while helping your customers save money. Visit our blog for more training recommendations and tips for maximizing your learning opportunities.
Want a broader list of training on the Partner Learning Center? Refer to this index of select training for additional products and solutions.
For training offered in your geographic area, view the South Central Area local events and training page.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
Limited time offer on the first three MOSS courses listed below: receive 35% off when you register by November 3, 2008.
Featured Training
Advanced Office SharePoint Server 2007 Training for Architects (Technical, Six 4-hour sessions via the Web)
Architecting Documents and Records Management Solutions with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (Technical, Four 4-hour sessions via the Web)
Developing Solutions with Office SharePoint Server 2007 (Technical, 4 days)
Partnercast: Partners Succeed with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007! (Sales, 15 minutes)
Labcast: Building and Implementing Enterprise Search Solutions (Technical, 1 day)
See our course listings for additional Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 technical training.
Microsoft Essential Business Server 2008
Featured Training
Overview and Introduction to Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (Technical, 1 hour)
5W/50 Series - Introduction to Threat Management Gateway for Partners Deploying EBS 2008 (Technical, 1 hour)
See our course listings for additional Windows Essential Business Server 2008 sales and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 technical training.
Looking for Windows Small Business Server courses? View Windows Small Business Server sales and Windows Small Business Server technical training.
Virtualization
Featured Training
Technical Deep-Dive: Set Up, Migrate, and Maintain a Virtual Environment Using Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and System Center (Technical, 2 days)
Partnercast: Simplified Management of Your Virtual Environment with Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007 (Sales, 7 minutes)
Partnercast: Virtualization from the Data Center to the Desktop (Sales, 7 minutes)
Virtualization and the Small Business Partner, Part 1 of 2 (Technical, 1 hour)
Virtualization and the Small Business Partner, Part 2 of 2 (Technical, 1 hour)
Selling Virtualization to Midsized Businesses (Sales, 1 hour)
What You Need to Know to Optimize Configuration, Deployment, and Management--and Make Money on Services (Sales, 1 hour)
See our course listings for additional Virtualization sales and Virtualization technical training.
Business Readiness Skills: Marketing
Featured Training
The Marketing Plan That Saves Time, Saves Money, and Boosts Sales (Web Seminar, 1.5 hours)
Map to Success Session 1: How to Use Marketing to Drive Leads and Sales (Web Seminar, 1 hour)
Marketing Tactics for Business My Way and Business Transformation Customer Scenarios (Web Seminar, 1 hour)
See our course listings for additional Marketing training.
Set and Manage Your Communication Preferences
Get the partner-related information you want from Microsoft
1) Sign in to the Microsoft Partner Program portal with the Windows Live ID (Passport) used to enroll in the program;
2) Select “View Your Membership Account” and “Membership Center”;
3) From "Your Individual Account Page," choose "Edit Profile"*;
4) Scroll down to "Your Communication Options", and select your contact preferences for the areas listed;
5) To save your preferences, click the checkbox and then select the "Update" button at the bottom of the page.
* Individuals who are the Global or Local Administrator for their organization will have a slightly different experience. In the grey bar near the top of the page, select “Administration”, then “Manage Your Individual Profile”, then follow steps 4 and 5.
Trouble accessing the Microsoft Partner Program portal link?
You may be signed in with a Windows Live ID (Passport) account not associated with your Microsoft Partner Program membership. Sign out of any other Live ID-enabled sites, and then sign in with the credentials used to enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program. If you still can not open the link, please contact our support team. You will receive a response within 24 hours (Monday-Friday, Pacific Time).
Virtualization is another great revenue opportnity! Especially in a tight economy! Read this article from J. Nicholas Hoover from Information Week! See you at a TS2 event!
"Microsoft Releases Virtualization Tools, Sees Gains Against VMware
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 hypervisor is an included installation option for Windows Server 2008 and costs about one third what VMware's VirtualCenter does.
By J. Nicholas Hoover
InformationWeek
October 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Four short months after Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) released its new server virtualization technology, the company is already making significant gains against competitors, and hopes to add to the momentum Tuesday with the release of new virtualization management software to manufacturing.
Microsoft's announcement that it is releasing System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 comes on the heels of an analyst report last week by IDC -- underlining how Windows Server's installed base could help Microsoft dominate the server virtualization market -- that found Microsoft grabbed 23% of the server virtualization market last quarter in terms of new deployments.
The selling points for Microsoft's server virtualization stack are its low cost and tight integration with the rest of the Microsoft stack, Zane Adam, Microsoft's senior director of virtualization strategy, said in an interview. Virtual Machine Manager, for example, costs about one third what VMware's VirtualCenter does. Microsoft's Hyper-V hypervisor is an included installation option for Windows Server 2008, and is integrated into Active Directory.
"We've always said virtualization is a feature of the operating system," Adam said.
Virtual Machine Manager 2008 can manage both Microsoft and VMware virtual environments, and also manages the physical machines underlying the virtual ones.
"Everything we've heard in the last few years was that the complexity of managing the physical server and virtual machines separately adds more cost than not, and it requires different training because you have to learn different products," Adam said. "When you manage your environment, you want to manage your environment. It shouldn't be separate."
Among the important features of Virtual Machine Manager is one called Performance and Research Optimization, or PRO. It enables some automated management of both the hardware and software on a machine, provided the servers are "PRO-enabled." For example, if a company is running a virtual machine on a new Dell (Dell) server and the fan is about to fail, the server can pro-actively send an alert to Virtual Machine Manager and react by off-loading the virtual machine to another physical server.
In terms of momentum, Microsoft has signed up a bunch of new customers, including Costco, Land O' Lakes and Saxo Bank. Indiana University plans to virtualize 90% of its workloads on Hyper-V by the end of the year. Just yesterday, Adam met with a "very large customer" that plans to virtualize tens of thousands of servers.
Adam rebuffed a question on VMware's recent Virtual Datacenter Operating System announcement, essentially a distributed operating system that relies on both on premises software and cloud computing to spread the main features of an operating system across many servers, and hinted that Microsoft has something similar or related up its sleeve.
"VMware is on the path where they're going to make virtualization into an operating system, but the question is whether the world needs yet another operating system," Adam said. "The idea of a distributed operating system is something that has merit, and you'll hear more about this from [Microsoft CEO] Steve [Ballmer] later this month at [Microsoft's semi-annual Professional Developers Conference]."
Though released to manufacturing on Tuesday, Virtual Machine Manager 2008 will be available for purchase November 1 for $1,304 including two years of Software Assurance, an option that provides upgrades free. A suite of four System Center products that includes Virtual Machine Manager also goes on sale in November for only slightly more: $1,497 including two years of Software Assurance.
What are other companies are doing to make virtualization work? InformationWeek has published an independent analysis of the topic. Download the report here (registration required)."
Secure your position as trusted advisor by implementing Windows Essential Server Solutions to help your customers reduce costs and increase productivity by streamlining their IT infrastructure. Generate leads by inviting your customers and prospects to the Windows Essential Server Solutions special launch webcast using guidance and an invitation email template.
The "Dream Server" is now collecting Business Dreams for Small and Midsize Businesses!
Enter your business dream for a chance to win a Small Business Server 2008 or a Windows Essential Business Server 2008!
Then Join us on November 12th and see how server solutions can help turn your biggest business dreams into reality! Check it all out at: www.thedreamserver.com
Microsoft Online Services, a set of enterprise-class software offerings delivered as subscription services hosted by Microsoft and sold by you, 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. And efficiently expand your customer base and serve new segments--without adding infrastructure or head count.
Quickstart for Microsoft Online Services
US Promotions for Microsoft Online Services Launch
Training Opportunities for Microsoft Online Services
About the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)
Partner Commentary
Quickstart for Microsoft Online Services
Get the comprehensive resources and training you need to evaluate Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) opportunities. Sign up to sell the services as they become available.
Join the Quickstart community for access to resources such as presentations, product experts, news updates, blogs, and forums. Technical and nontechnical support is also available to help you evaluate Microsoft Online Services offerings.
Enroll to sell the Business Productivity Online Suite. Learn about the revenue model and how to earn fees. Sign the Online Services Partner Agreement and complete the Online Services Assessment.
Microsoft Online Subscription Program (MOSP) Guide
The Microsoft Online Subscription Program is the Microsoft Volume Licensing program that supports purchasing, provisioning, activating, and maintaining the new generation of Microsoft Online Services products. Download this guide to understand the benefits of the Microsoft Online Subscription Program, the available Online Services offerings, and the business process details and business policies.
U.S. Promotions for Microsoft Online Services Launch
The Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) will launch later this year. To help you get involved and inspired, we have these offers for US partners.
Microsoft Online Services Hands on Labs
This one-day workshop educates partners about the deployment and administration of the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) and will help enable partners to successfully engage customers in new business opportunities with BPOS. Training will be delivered through a series of presentations and hands-on technical exercises that focus on developing the skills required to subscribe, deploy, co-exist, migrate, administer, and support the online services. Register before October 3, 2008 and enjoy 50% off the registration fee.
Partner Solution Evidence Program (US partners only)
Submit your Microsoft Online Services solution for a unique opportunity to participate in a written or video case study. Submissions are due by October 8, 2008, and for those who qualify, a $5,000 cash incentive will also be awarded.* To participate, download and complete our submission form and submit to bpos2008@microsoft.com.
Training Opportunities for Microsoft Online Services
BPOS Web Seminars: Licensing and Business
Prepare for the launch of BPOS with these Web Seminar trainings about Microsoft Online Services licensing and business policies.
The Best of the Software-plus-Services Roadshow: Training On Demand
In May 2008, Microsoft hosted a 12-city roadshow about software as a service and the Microsoft software plus services strategy. We captured the essence of these one-day events in four one-hour Web seminars, available on demand at no charge. These sessions take you through market dynamics and opportunity, how to prepare your business for a managed services practice, and how to build and manage relationships with your software and services customers.
About the Business Productivity Online Suite
This family of services delivers rich collaboration and communications capabilities, and can help your customers increase operational efficiencies and productivity while decreasing the strain on their IT resources. For you, BPOS provides the opportunity to expand your customer base and establish ongoing revenue streamswithout increasing customer-service costs.
Microsoft Exchange Online (available later this year)
Deliver robust productivity functions in a highly secure environment and ---win loyalty by showing your customers how Exchange Online can protect their networks and help them stay compliant and connected, without the up-front costs of an on-premises solution.
Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services
Cost-effective. Secure. Reliable. Be your customers’ trusted advisor by helping to ensure that their messaging environments are safe and available without sacrificing adherence to internal policy and regulatory compliance requirements.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Online (available later this year)
Offer your customers rich, easy-to-use collaboration capabilities including document libraries, wikis and blogs, shared workspaces, process workflows, and intranet portals —all in a hosted service.
Microsoft Office Live Meeting
With this reliable, hosted Web conferencing service, deliver on customer demand for reliable, effective communication and collaboration capabilities. Create new revenue streams by helping users connect with colleagues, customers, and suppliers from all over the world without leaving their desks.
Microsoft Office Communications Online
Be prepared to increase profit potential by providing integrated unified communications that help people be more productive.
Expand Your Business with Integrated Solutions
Businesses of all sizes need solutions that help them integrate desktops, laptops, phones, and handheld devices. Learn how you can combine platforms, mobilizing Windows Small Business Server (Windows SBS) and Microsoft Office Exchange to reach the SMB market.
If you develop custom applications, Windows Mobile capabilities combined with specialized developer tools, can help you reduce costs and simplify deployments. Extend your reach with Windows Mobile support for over 18,000 applications developed by Microsoft partners.
Enterprise customers increasingly need mobility support for line-of-business applications like customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, and sales force automation. Get their attention by helping them quantify their returns on investment, and introduce them to new security features and improved administrative control offered by Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008.
The mobility opportunity is too good to miss. See how one partner gained significant revenue with a blended Windows Mobile and Windows SBS solution. Learn about the market from the Digital WPC 2008 keynote address. By joining the Mobility Solutions competency, you can access tools and training to build knowledge and credibility. Also, subscribe to the Mobility Solutions RSS feed and partner newsletter to stay dialed in to a fast-moving marketplace.
Capitalize on a growing market by creating smart, connected devices with Windows Embedded.
It just keeps getting easier!
Earn valuable partner subsidy dollars to spend on additional services and products when you purchase qualifying products.
Here’s how it works
Purchase qualifying products between August 25, 2008 and December 31, 2008 and you can earn partner subsidy funds from Microsoft.
This program scales to fit your purchase by offering incremental subsidies for additional qualifying purchases. As you purchase more products for your business, you will receive additional subsidy dollars.
Take advantage of this offer by following these simple steps:
- Purchase. Purchase qualifying products between August 25, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
- Redeem. After making a qualifying purchase, you can redeem the offers at http://offers.localpcbuilder.com/bigeasy/redeem.aspx until January 31, 2009. You will be asked to provide the software validation key for your new product purchase.
After completing the validation process, you will receive an OEM Promotions Customer ID. You can use this ID in the future to associate more purchases and receive more subsidy dollars. You will also receive instructions for how to redeem your subsidy dollars. You will need to enter your OEM Promotions Customer ID on the Big Easy redemption site, so keep it handy.
One simple process for subsidy dollars. - Spend. Microsoft will then send you a subsidy check made payable to the partner of your choice; of course, we hope you'll choose to work with us. Use the subsidy check toward the purchase of additional services and products. Services benefits could be deployment, training, assessments or solutions to meet your line of business needs. Additional products may include software and hardware. Checks must be used within 90 days of the issue date.