SUPPORT/GENERAL

Microsoft Partner Program Register on the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) site and maintain your membership. (For registration instructions, visit http://www.msenterprisepartner.com/Pages/login.aspx.)

Microsoft Partner Program and Alliance Connection Support Contact a dedicated Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) specialist with questions about benefits available to you through the MSPP program and Alliance Connection. See our partner contact file for a dedicated e-mail address.

Partner Resource Desk For U.S.-based partners, access the Partner Resource Desk forquestions regarding licensing, products, and training across our full range of products (including Microsoft Dynamics). See our partner contact file for a dedicated phone number and e-mail address.

Microsoft Yellow Pages Use this listing to find key Microsoft contacts around the world in our business groups, the Partner Team Units (PTUs), and partner marketing organizations, to name just a few.

Microsoft Acronyms Use this handy reference to learn the language of Microsoft.

Directions on Microsoft Find independent, objective perspectives on Microsoft. The independent analyst firm at Directions on Microsoft analyzes shifts in Microsoft strategy, upcoming products and technologies, business and marketing initiatives, and organizational changes so you can quickly assess how they will impact your business. Directions on Microsoft have studied Microsoft since 1992 and their staff includes Microsoft alumni with senior-level contacts throughout the company. They provide weekly news and analysis, product roadmaps, in-depth research reports on key technologies and trends, an organizational chart of the top 750+ Microsoft executives, and briefing and advisory services.

READINESS

Microsoft Partner MS101 Participate in a partner version of our new-hire orientation training course that can help you jumpstart your understanding of Microsoft by learning about our strategies, products, marketing campaigns, and field organization. The goal is to enable you to work more effectively and efficiently with Microsoft, to help accelerate your ability to benefit from Microsoft opportunities and engagements, and ultimately to help drive wins and revenue for both of our organizations.

Partner Academy Access a community-developed line of offerings on emerging products, technologies, and strategic initiatives that spur dialogue and inspire discovery of knowledge. Because people learn in different ways and have limited windows of time to focus on skills development, we offer a dynamic content delivery experience that includes easy-to-consume Academy Mobile podcasts, rich one-hour AcademyLive and Quick Hit sessions, in-depth online facilitated classes, and flexible self-study classes.

Partner Learning Center Make the Partner Learning Center your destination for all your sales, marketing, and technical training needs. The Partner Learning Center contains thousands of classes to help you sell, market, design, deploy, and develop great solutions with Microsoft products. Choose from online classes, Hands On Labs Online, classroom instructor-led training, webcasts, seminars, and even blended learning—all to meet your learning needs. You can also learn about several Microsoft events and conferences being held around the world through the Partner Learning Center. (Additional U.S.-only partner training events are available at https://partner.microsoft.com/US/trainingevents.) Contact Partner Readiness Support with any questions (see the partner contact list for a dedicated e-mail address).

Partner Training and Readiness Resource Center Exclusive to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, find thousands of training resources and classroom content to help build marketing, sales, and technical skills. The Microsoft Partner Training and Readiness Resource center has thousands of CD- and DVD-based training and readiness resources available for order. Choices range from airlift and post-conference DVDs, to DVDs with sample demonstration VPCs , to in-depth workshop training kits. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified partners only.)

EVENTS AND WEBCASTS

Monthly Enterprise Partner Marketing Webcast Join the monthly Enterprise Partner Group webcast to learn about current marketing opportunities for partners.

Worldwide Partner Conference Join more than 10,000 partners from around the world to network with Microsoft executives and field personnel to gain insight into Microsoft's upcoming sales, marketing, and technical solutions.

Microsoft Conferences and Events View highlighted Microsoft conferences and events in the Microsoft Events Calendar. Find additional event information through our public Events and Webcasts site.

PEOPLE-READY BUSINESS AND CUSTOMER CAMPAIGN PLANNING

Partner Marketing Center Access content and resources aligned by Microsoft marketing priorities to help create demand for your solutions, identify top market needs, and develop customized marketing elements to promote your business. The Partner Marketing Center also includes information on Microsoft priorities outside of the enterprise market segment.

Market Opportunity Research and Analyst Reports Use these specially developed resources—available exclusively to enterprise partners—to analyze the market opportunity and find relevant analyst insight for Microsoft customer campaigns.

Enterprise Resource Guide Access clear, consistent, and timely guidance on Microsoft enterprise strategies, priorities, and marketing investments through this comprehensive guide, as well as periodic update bulletins.

Customer Enterprise Resource Guide Use this customer-ready resource to provide customers with a comprehensive overview of Microsoft's people-ready business vision and how people-ready business solutions delivered through our partners can help them realize successful business outcomes. (See also the customer-facing Guide to Microsoft in the Enterprise site.)

People-Ready Business Resources Learn more about Microsoft's people-ready business vision and how we believe organizations can empower their people with software that uniquely strengthens their capabilities and connections to create value in their roles. In addition, find people-ready business resources to help you build your own people-ready story and develop people-ready business case studies. (See also the customer-facing people-ready business site.)

Microsoft Enterprise Customer Web Site Learn more about the Microsoft people-ready business vision and stay current on what Microsoft is communicating to enterprise customers. (See also the customer-facing people-ready business site.)

Enterprise & Partner Public Relations Guide Gain insight into how the Microsoft public relations engine and process drives joint and partner-led public relations with the 2007 Enterprise & Partner Public Relations Guide. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners only.)

Microsoft Trademark Guidelines Review Microsoft trademark and branding guidance and access a comprehensive list of Microsoft trademarks to help ensure that joint marketing materials meet Microsoft’s legal requirements.

Partner Logo Builder Use Partner Logo Builder to create and download custom logos for the Microsoft Partner Program Competencies that your organization has achieved.

DEMAND GENERATION AND SOLUTION PROFILING

Enterprise Demand Generation Engine (EDGE) Use this telemarketing program for measurable lead-generation and qualification activities.

Partner Solution Profiler Gain visibility in partner and customer directories by describing your solutions and differentiating them from those of your competitors.

Solution Showcase for the Microsoft Office System Demonstrate how your Microsoft Office–based solutions help solve critical business problems in specific industries and functional departments by profiling them in this highly visible showcase for customers and the Microsoft field.

Customer Evidence Development Access publicly available case studies to support your marketing efforts. In addition, work with your Partner Account Manager (PAM) (or see our partner contact list for a contact e-mail address) to discuss developing joint customer case studies.

Partner Channel Builder Participate in a Microsoft partner networking and resource-sharing community to create new partnerships, locate specific opportunities, and collaborate with partners whose offerings complement your own.

SUPPORT/GENERAL

Microsoft Partner Program Register on the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) site and maintain your membership. (For registration instructions, visit http://www.msenterprisepartner.com/Pages/login.aspx.)

Microsoft Partner Program and Alliance Connection Support Contact a dedicated Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) specialist with questions about benefits available to you through the MSPP program and Alliance Connection. See our partner contact file for a dedicated e-mail address.

Partner Resource Desk For U.S.-based partners, access the Partner Resource Desk for questions regarding licensing, products, and training across our full range of products (including Microsoft Dynamics). See our partner contact file for a dedicated phone number and e-mail address.

Microsoft Yellow Pages Use this listing to find key Microsoft contacts around the world in our business groups, the Partner Team Units (PTUs), and partner marketing organizations, to name just a few.

Microsoft Acronyms Use this handy reference to learn the language of Microsoft.

Directions on Microsoft Find independent, objective perspectives on Microsoft. The independent analyst firm at Directions on Microsoft analyzes shifts in Microsoft strategy, upcoming products and technologies, business and marketing initiatives, and organizational changes so you can quickly assess how they will impact your business. Directions on Microsoft have studied Microsoft since 1992 and their staff includes Microsoft alumni with senior-level contacts throughout the company. They provide weekly news and analysis, product roadmaps, in-depth research reports on key technologies and trends, an organizational chart of the top 750+ Microsoft executives, and briefing and advisory services.

READINESS

Microsoft Partner MS101 Participate in a partner version of our new-hire orientation training course that can help you jumpstart your understanding of Microsoft by learning about our strategies, products, marketing campaigns, and field organization. The goal is to enable you to work more effectively and efficiently with Microsoft, to help accelerate your ability to benefit from Microsoft opportunities and engagements, and ultimately to help drive wins and revenue for both of our organizations.

Partner Academy Access a community-developed line of offerings on emerging products, technologies, and strategic initiatives that spur dialogue and inspire discovery of knowledge. Because people learn in different ways and have limited windows of time to focus on skills development, we offer a dynamic content delivery experience that includes easy-to-consume Academy Mobile podcasts, rich one-hour AcademyLive and Quick Hit sessions, in-depth online facilitated classes, and flexible self-study classes.

Partner Learning Center Make the Partner Learning Center your destination for all your sales, marketing, and technical training needs. The Partner Learning Center contains thousands of classes to help you sell, market, design, deploy, and develop great solutions with Microsoft products. Choose from online classes, Hands On Labs Online, classroom instructor-led training, webcasts, seminars, and even blended learning—all to meet your learning needs. You can also learn about several Microsoft events and conferences being held around the world through the Partner Learning Center. (Additional U.S.-only partner training events are available at https://partner.microsoft.com/US/trainingevents.) Contact Partner Readiness Support with any questions (see the partner contact list for a dedicated e-mail address).

Partner Training and Readiness Resource Center Exclusive to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, find thousands of training resources and classroom content to help build marketing, sales, and technical skills. The Microsoft Partner Training and Readiness Resource center has thousands of CD- and DVD-based training and readiness resources available for order. Choices range from airlift and post-conference DVDs, to DVDs with sample demonstration VPCs , to in-depth workshop training kits. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified partners only.)

Microsoft Solution Selling Training for Partners Learn a proven customer-focused sales process to help increase your win rates and revenue production. You can access online classes in English, Chinese, Spanish, and French in addition to participating in instructor-led training classes being held around the world. (Available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)

Microsoft Sales Tool Kit Consult this "Gear Up" toolkit for descriptions of Microsoft products, answers to frequently asked questions, and helpful sales guidance.

EVENTS AND WEBCASTS

Worldwide Partner Conference Join more than 10,000 partners from around the world to network with Microsoft executives and field personnel to gain insight into Microsoft's upcoming sales, marketing, and technical solutions.

Microsoft Conferences and Events View highlighted Microsoft conferences and events in the Microsoft Events Calendar. Find additional event information through our public Events and Webcasts site.

PEOPLE-READY BUSINESS AND SALES PLANNING

Market Opportunity Research and Analyst Reports Use these specially developed resources—available exclusively to enterprise partners—to analyze the market opportunity and find relevant analyst insight for Microsoft customer campaigns.

Enterprise Resource Guide Access clear, consistent, and timely guidance on Microsoft enterprise strategies, priorities, and marketing investments through this comprehensive guide, as well as periodic update bulletins.

Customer Enterprise Resource Guide Use this customer-ready resource to provide customers with a comprehensive overview of Microsoft's people-ready business vision and how people-ready business solutions delivered through our partners can help them realize successful business outcomes. (See also the customer-facing Guide to Microsoft in the Enterprise site.)

People-Ready Business Resources Learn more about Microsoft's people-ready business vision and how we believe organizations can empower their people with software that uniquely strengthens their capabilities and connections to create value in their roles. In addition, find people-ready business resources to help you build your own people-ready story and develop people-ready business case studies. (See also the customer-facing people-ready business site.)

Microsoft Enterprise Customer Web Site Learn more about the Microsoft people-ready business vision and stay current on what Microsoft is communicating to enterprise customers. (See also the customer-facing people-ready business site.)

Enterprise & Partner Public Relations Guide Gain insight into how the Microsoft public relations engine and process drives joint and partner-led public relations with the 2007 Enterprise & Partner Public Relations Guide. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners only.)

DEMAND GENERATION AND SOLUTION PROFILING

Enterprise Demand Generation Engine (EDGE) Use this telemarketing program for measurable lead-generation and qualification activities.

Partner Solution Profiler Gain visibility in partner and customer directories by describing your solutions and differentiating them from those of your competitors.

Solution Showcase for the Microsoft Office System Demonstrate how your Microsoft Office–based solutions help solve critical business problems in specific industries and functional departments by profiling them in this highly visible showcase for customers and the Microsoft field.

Customer Evidence Development Access publicly available case studies to support your sales efforts. In addition, work with your Partner Account Manager (PAM) to discuss developing joint customer case studies.

Partner Channel Builder Participate in a Microsoft partner networking and resource-sharing community to create new partnerships, locate specific opportunities, and collaborate with partners whose offerings complement your own.

SELLING CONTENT

Customer Engagement Solutions (CES) Access CES quality-assured content and guidance to support FY08 Partner Solution Plan (PSP) commitments and help better engage with Microsoft account teams throughout the sales process. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners only.)

Infrastructure Optimization Partner Resource Kit Use the Infrastructure Optimization Partner Resource Kit to help attain a foundational understanding of Microsoft's Infrastructure Optimization vision, model structures, and sales engagement and readiness resources.

Business Value Tools Microsoft IO–ROI Tool – Quickly and easily build compelling and credible business cases that quantify the value of Infrastructure Optimization and the cost benefit of Microsoft and partner solutions in implementing these recommended best practices. Microsoft ROI Support Center – Access tools, research, and training to help develop a credible business case and prove the return on investment (ROI) of Microsoft products.

Technical Demonstration Toolkit (TDT) Access resources to help you quickly and easily demonstrate the advantages of Microsoft technologies and solutions to customers anywhere, without connectivity concerns. (Available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)

Demo Showcase for the People-Ready Business Clearly demonstrate the value, capabilities, and ease of use of the Microsoft platform using a comprehensive virtual environment with business-oriented demo scenarios that help illustrate the Microsoft people-ready business vision . (Available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)

Sales Resource Collection Access a collection of tools and compelling information that can help you engage clients and capitalize on revenue-generating business opportunities.

Microsoft IT Showcase Learn and show customers how Microsoft IT plans for, develops, deploys, and manages solutions within our global enterprise using the latest Microsoft products and technologies.

SALES ASSISTANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

Competitive Sales Assistance Access Microsoft Telephone-based Pre-sales Technical Support (TPTS) , as well as general and solution-specific competitive selling tools including case studies, comparisons, and research. In addition, access product-specific competitive selling information for SQL Server and Windows Server. (Note: TPTS is available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)

Customer Satisfaction Index Get valuable measurements of your customers' satisfaction with your services and solutions.

Microsoft Incentives for Partners and Customers Help increase the return on your investment with MicrosoftIncentives.com—your resource for valuable offers, special financing, and incentives for Microsoft products.

Executive Briefing Centers (EBCs) Learn how Microsoft EBCs can help customers understand Microsoft's technology direction and can enable Microsoft and our partners to build closer business relationships with customer executives through strategic, customized briefings.

Microsoft Technology Centers (MTCs) Learn how MTCs can enable enterprise and independent software vendor (ISV) customers to envision, architect, and prove highly secure, customized solutions based on Microsoft and partner technologies through a dynamic collection of resources that help customers make technology decisions with confidence. MTC offerings include Solution Briefings, Architecture Design Sessions, and Proof-of-Concept Workshops.

LICENSING

Software Assurance Help increase your services revenue, build stronger relationships with customers, and develop additional long-term business opportunities.

Product Licensing Advisor Use this tool to find and select Microsoft products and determine estimated retail pricing (ERP) based on your customer's software needs.

Microsoft Financing Learn more about the flexible financing options available through Microsoft Financing and how they can help you provide your customers with attractively priced, innovative financing solutions for software licenses, hardware, and services.

Internal Use Licenses As a core program benefit for Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners, receive software licenses for internal use, development, and testing, demonstration, and training. Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners receive software within your Program Toolkit.

Demo Licenses Benefit from demonstration licenses. These are provided for customer demonstration purposes only—that is, licenses to be used only by employees of the company with customer contacts.

SUPPORT/GENERAL

Microsoft Partner Program Register on the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) site and maintain your membership. (For registration instructions, visit http://www.msenterprisepartner.com/Pages/login.aspx.)

Microsoft Partner Program and Alliance Connection Support Contact a dedicated Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) specialist with questions about benefits available to you through the MSPP program and Alliance Connection. See our partner contact file for a dedicated e-mail address.

Microsoft Yellow Pages Use this listing to find key Microsoft contacts around the world in our business groups, the Partner Team Units (PTUs), and partner marketing organizations, to name just a few.

Microsoft Acronyms Use this handy reference to learn the language of Microsoft.

Directions on Microsoft Find independent, objective perspectives on Microsoft. The independent analyst firm at Directions on Microsoft analyzes shifts in Microsoft strategy, upcoming products and technologies, business and marketing initiatives, and organizational changes so you can quickly assess how they will impact your business. Directions on Microsoft have studied Microsoft since 1992 and their staff includes Microsoft alumni with senior-level contacts throughout the company. They provide weekly news and analysis, product roadmaps, in-depth research reports on key technologies and trends, an organizational chart of the top 750+ Microsoft executives, and briefing and advisory services.

READINESS

Partner Academy Access a community-developed line of offerings on emerging products, technologies, and strategic initiatives that spur dialogue and inspire discovery of knowledge. Because people learn in different ways and have limited windows of time to focus on skills development, we offer a dynamic content delivery experience that includes easy-to-consume Academy Mobile podcasts, rich one-hour AcademyLive and Quick Hit sessions, in-depth online facilitated classes, and flexible self-study classes.

Partner Learning Center Make the Partner Learning Center your destination for all your sales, marketing, and technical training needs. The Partner Learning Center contains thousands of classes to help you sell, market, design, deploy, and develop great solutions with Microsoft products. Choose from online classes, Hands On Labs Online, classroom instructor-led training, webcasts, seminars, and even blended learning—all to meet your learning needs. You can also learn about several Microsoft events and conferences being held around the world through the Partner Learning Center. (Additional U.S.-only partner training events are available at https://partner.microsoft.com/US/trainingevents.) Contact Partner Readiness Support with any questions.

Partner Training and Readiness Resource Center Exclusive to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, find thousands of training resources and classroom content to help build marketing, sales, and technical skills. The Microsoft Partner Training and Readiness Resource center has thousands of CD- and DVD-based training and readiness resources available for order. Choices range from airlift and post-conference DVDs, to DVDs with sample demonstration VPCs , to in-depth workshop training kits. (Available to Microsoft Gold Certified Partners only.)

Microsoft Official Certifications Help ensure that you have the people to deliver great solutions for your customers through Microsoft Official Certifications. Having a certified workforce has been shown to increase performance, productivity, and the success of engagements, which is important for high customer satisfaction and repeat business. To help you get certified, Microsoft has launched the Partner Skills Plus program: Microsoft Certified Partners – Receive a 25 percent discount for up to 25 people in the organization. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners – Receive a 30 percent discount for up to 100 people in the organization. Enterprise Partners with an Enterprise Agreement (EA) – Purchase certification vouchers under an EA. Discounts of up to 40 percent (depending on EA level) are available on certification and reporting capabilities to help you track your investment in your people.

EVENTS AND WEBCASTS

Microsoft Enterprise Partner Architect Summits Attend biannual architect summits (held in the United States and the Europe, Middle East, and Africa [EMEA] region). See the partner contact list for an e-mail address for invitations to participate.

Analyst Webcasts Join monthly webcasts with Directions on Microsoft analysts. See the partner contact list for an e-mail address for requests to be added to the distribution list.

Worldwide Partner Conference Join more than 10,000 partners from around the world to network with Microsoft executives and field personnel to gain insight into Microsoft's upcoming sales, marketing, and technical solutions.

Microsoft Conferences and Events View highlighted Microsoft conferences and events in the Microsoft Events Calendar. Find additional event information through our public Events and Webcasts site.

Microsoft Enterprise Partner Technology Update Newsletter Sign up for a monthly technical newsletter for CTOs and architects. See the partner contact list for an e-mail address for requests to be added to the distribution list.

DEVELOPER TOOLS

Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Subscriptions Get the latest Microsoft developer tools, including beta software (included in the Microsoft Partner Program toolkits for Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners).

TechNet Subscriptions Receive detailed technical information, including service packs and deployment guides (included in the Microsoft Partner Program toolkits for Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners).

Developer Licenses and Tools A program benefit for Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners, receive an MSDN Premium Subscription, with access to Visual Studio 2005 and the Visual Studio 2005 Team System. The Visual Studio 2005 Team System provides extensible life-cycle tools designed to increase the predictability of software development processes, shorten the development life cycle, and enable IT departments to deliver greater business value.

SUPPORT

Toolkits Additional Microsoft Partner Program Toolkits are available and enable a partner to purchase benefits for qualified locations in their organization.

Microsoft Technical Service Coordinators Streamline your support experience. Technical Service Coordinators around the world offer consultative assistance through workshops and advisory services, support relationship management, and escalation management. Get access to 40 hours of this special service, exclusively for Microsoft Gold Certified Partners who do not have a Premier Support relationship with Microsoft.

Business Critical Phone Support Get access to Microsoft technical support engineers, who can help you solve technical issues concerning non-developer products that affect a critical function of your customer’s business.

5-Pack Professional Support Connect with Microsoft support professionals to get help resolving specific symptoms encountered while using Microsoft software. Microsoft 5-Pack Professional Support gives you access to Microsoft support professionals by phone when your customer is not in a business-critical situation. (Available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)

Online Concierge Chat one-on-one with a Microsoft Online Concierge, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (in English), to get assistance locating self-help technical resources. (Available to Microsoft Certified Partners and Gold Certified Partners only.)