MS Partner Program

[BliarOut]

Any of you in the Microsoft Partner Program?

Have you upgraded to Certified Partner and if so, what has it bought to your business apart from being able to use a nice logo?

[roadsweeper]

Well, the MSDN subscription is nice so you have access to all their software and licences for internal use. Also you have improved access to MS support for technical issues, etc.

[davidd]

We have a nice thing hanging in reception. There is a lot software to use which helps.

We get to talk to people at microsoft, sometimes they are useful

D

[BliarOut]

For our business the Action Pack SW will suffice which we can get as a bum basic partner...

Just interested to see if there's any actual business benefit.

[BaconBonce]

To become a certified partner, it's not just a case of paying the fee and away you go unfortunately.

To qualify you have to earn 50 qualifying partner points, have at least 2 Microsoft Certified Professionals or tested solutions etc and then also pay the fee.

[BliarOut]

As there's just me currently 2 MCP's might be a problem although I'm contemplating fast tracking myself to MCSE to replace my outdated CNE. Add that to a tested solution and we could qualify but I'm wondering what it actually brings to the company from a commercial perspective.

From past experience of vendors programs there has been very little in the way of lead generation etc. to justify the expense and time involved however time is one thing I do have on my side at the moment.

I guess I'm just musing about how much an MS logo for the website would cost in real terms.

[BaconBonce]

The Small Business Specialist is pretty easy to get.

One exam, an Action Pack subscription and a 15 minute marketing "exam" online and your done.

Can then use the Microsoft Small Business Specialist logo.

Might be an alternative option and certainly easier (cheaper to obtain) until you can move onto the next level.

[davidd]

we have had very little in the way of marketing help from MS, however I do wonder if they would if I tried a bit harder.

I'm currently trying to get some help on something I'll let you know.

D

[BliarOut]

BaconBonce said:

The Small Business Specialist is pretty easy to get.

One exam, an Action Pack subscription and a 15 minute marketing "exam" online and your done.

Can then use the Microsoft Small Business Specialist logo.

Might be an alternative option and certainly easier (cheaper to obtain) until you can move onto the next level.

Did the marketing exam and it doesn't show up

[plasticpig]

My company is a Microsoft Certifed Partner. I think we have had 3 MS generared leads in the last five years. The easiest way to become a certifed partner is to sell lots of Microsoft Software.

[davidd]

I'vw just been told we also get 40 hours per year with a pre-sales support specialist. I'll see how good this is tomorrow.

D