Microsoft Partners, the value of MAPS
So there's always great anticipation for the Quarterly updates, and this last time, more than usual. Typically the discussion is about the software, and that benefit is OUT F THIS WORLD!!! Watch the various yahoo groups: Managed Services, MSSmallBiz, and DFW-SBS and the discussion revolves, lately around the licensing of the Windows Client and Office 2007. Admittedly there's a lot going on around that, but it occurs to me…How many just rip open the action pack and snatch the discs (not necessarily CDs anymore) and dump the rest of the package as soon as they can. You know what I am talking about; think 8 year old at Christmas. I make it a point to review the other stuff, the other benefits that we gat with out MAPS. I gather it varies, based on your Registered Partner organization type and location, so I can only speak to what we get.
So in this last update, first page is an offer to redeem a prize. Go to a web site and answer a couple of questions and get a 256 MB USB flash Drive. Sure it's a $15 (If that) USB Drive, but who couldn't use it? Beyond that is a series of 'Launch Kit' pages. It's Sales junk, but it'll give you an idea of the 'message'.
Then I get to 'Expand My Skills'. This section is focused on staying competitive by providing an overview of the 'Latest Technologies'. First is a Launch Training Guide Overview. This is a 4 page slick covering the training resources available for Partners focused on three things, Vista, Office and SBS R2. Next is a 4 page slick promoting the Microsoft Small Business Specialist. Oh and by the way, in case you did not know it there's a new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Exam 70-631; configuring Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, that qualifies for SBSC status. And guess what, there's a free exam voucher for it. (This is a coming soon offer apparently, I can't find the free voucher!!!).
Next tab: Increase My Opportunities…More sales stuff, of a special note though is the 'Windows vista: Map to Revenue Treasure Chest" Interesting copy, entirely recapitulating other stuff, but a good idea, none the less. Also included is a slick about the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, and another about the SBS R2 Assess and Win promotion for SBSCs…Are you on board with this? There's some more junk in here, read it, know it…
Third tab: Close More Sales and Support My Customers. K, so this is more Sales stuff!!! Dredge through it at your own peril. The slicks are very well put together and reinforce the over all message on Vista, Office and SBS. Keep your eyes open though, because after you get back from puking on all that sales jargon, there's a gem hidden in there..A disc! "Customization for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager" Now, I have not yet installed this, having been slightly burned by the last BCM and SBA, however this looks MUCH more promising!!! It would appear from reading some of the materials about this, it is a very good starter for anyone looking to develop a practice around Small Business productivity. This comes with a sample solution: Technical Services Customization. This …'provides a powerful, cost-effective way to manage opportunities and track projects and marketing efforts for technical services organizations.' It does not just include the customizations for BCM, but better it walks through the process of creating customizations, teaching us to fish! That's powerful stuff! How many small organizations have suffered through trying to get an ACT! or whatever else to work just right for them. How about CRM SBE? Or even worse than that, Quickbooks Customer Manager? I will tell anyone who cares to hear it, this has been a real sore spot in our organization from day one. We have even gotten to the point of looking at LOBs for this industry. WHY!?!?! We have software and skills for this, it should not be this hard. So kudos to the MAPS team for putting this in here. I am going to take it for a spin, let's see where this takes us… also in this section of the kit is a disc with Demo Scripts for demoing Vista, Office, and SBS R2. For some this may not seem like a big deal, but for others, think about this…THEY TELL YOU WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT!!! There is a certain amount of time that has to go into developing the right language for a demo to deliver just the right message. Microsoft has invested the time and energy to develop these for us. Saves us time and consequently $$$. That's a big deal in and of itself, THANK YOU MAPS!!! They go one in the section with Licensing, and don't think for one minute this is light stuff, or that it's too complicated. We're professionals, this is our job, our customers expect us to know the difference in license models, and give them our best day in and day out. And in case you didn't know this, if your going to sell a solution, get it with Software Assurance…Think about this, Almost all new PCs are being delivered with Vista…if they have SA, they have downgrade rights, do you want some users with Vista, others with XP? Do you want to manage that?
We get 'Accounting professionals' All about Office Accounting (formerly Small Business Accounting). Not real happy with that, we do more and support more than just Office Accounting. We need better resources, especially if you want us to compete, head to head with the big green juggernaut!!!
Finally there's the System Builder resources. This has been practically non existant for the last few updates. Fortunately there's been a lot of 'stuff' online for us there. There's a very non-discript DVD in there, I'll look at that later.
Eventually there's 'Local resources' and 'License Agreements'. Understand that when they say Local they mean North America rather than East Asia or Europe…so it's not really packed with South Central Area info. Seems to me, they oughta be able to get hat local…maybe one day, then again maybe one day MAPS will be all online too. And this brings me to the final thing, License Agreement. This is the MICROSOFT Action Pack Subscription. In terms of Software and Intellectual Property, in order for us to get, have, use their Software, we must use it in accordance with the agreement. Considering everything they give us, it's more than fair for them to insist that we follow their rules. We can belly-ache and whine all we want, but ultimately we agreed to get maybe over $10,000 worth of intellectual Property and only pay $299 per year. I won't go to far into this, but IP is still property. Would you walk into a Deli, order a sandwich and not pay for it? Would you break into someone's house and steal their TV? Would you fill up your SUV with premium grade fuel, then drive off without paying? Whatever your thoughts of the costs or massive amounts of cash the Microsoft may or may not be sitting on, or how they got it, the fact is that it's their property, that they are licensing us to use. You don't have to like it, but you have to follow the agreement or stop using it. Plain and simple.
Enough is enough, I enjoyed recapping this latest update for you, and hope find a nugget buried in your Action pack that goes beyond the Software, as great as that is, MAPS is a tool for running your business, use it as such. Use all four burners on your stove, they're all there, they all work!!!