Hot Topics
March 5, 2010
WPC 2010 Registration Opens March 24
Come with your business challenges and ideas. Leave with solutions and connections. Join us July 11-15, 2010 in Washington, D.C. for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). WPC 2010 is the must-attend event of the year for partners worldwide to hear Microsoft’s roadmap for the year, network with other partners and Microsoft employees, experience the latest product innovations, and brainstorm solutions. The possibilities are infinite. Don’t miss out – visit this page on March 24 when registration opens for more details.
March 4, 2010
Watch Steve Ballmer Webcast on Cloud Strategy
In a live speech at the University of Washington in Seattle, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discussed what’s ahead for computing, with a focus on how cloud computing will change the way people and businesses use technology. Includes demos and a Q&A session with University of Washington students. Watch on-demand webcast.
February 22, 2010
WPC 2010 Awards Program Now Open
Do you deliver ground-breaking solutions built on Microsoft technologies? It’s time to get the recognition your solution deserves. Submit your entry February 22 – April 2 for your chance to win a Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2010 Award. New this year will be individual country partner of the year awards, to be showcased alongside the many amazing solutions that will take the stage at WPC 2010 in Washington, DC. July 11-15, 2010. Yours could be one of them! More...
February 15, 2010
Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Series
Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows® Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010. Read complete article.
February 12, 2010
Microsoft Silverlight and NBC Bring Winter Games to the Web in High Definition
For the next 16 days, people all over the world will watch the Winter Games on television. Increasingly, they’ll be tuning in online as the world’s top athletes compete for gold and glory. NBC will once again use Silverlight, Microsoft’s fast-growing, smooth-streaming video and animation plug-in for browsers, to bring full coverage and highlights to NBCOlympics.com. In 2008 for Beijing, the NBC-Silverlight partnership yielded not only revolutionary Web coverage of a sporting event, but a record number of viewers: 52.1 million people logged on to watch 9.9 million hours of video. Read complete article.
February 10, 2010
Latin America Partner Group Launches Café Partner
Bienvenido! Latin America has created new community pages called Café Partner for their local partner groups. Check out their new blog, Twitter, and Facebook pages in Spanish.
February 4, 2010
New Partner Competency Summary
Find information to help guide you through the changes as the Microsoft Partner Program completes its evolution to the Microsoft Partner Network. Get a first look at a summary of the benefits and requirements for Microsoft Competencies and Advanced Competencies that will launch in 2010.
January 22, 2010
Building Confidence in Cloud Computing
Cloud computing offers tremendous potential for efficiency, cost savings and innovation. Yet several challenges limit widespread adoption of cloud technologies, including ensuring the privacy and security of data stored in the cloud. Microsoft is responding to these challenges by working to build more secure systems and datacenters, and adhering to clear, responsible privacy and security practices — from software development through service delivery, operation and support.
To fully realize the benefits of cloud computing, government action also is needed to ensure that a robust privacy and security legal framework exists to protect and provide user rights and benefits in the cloud.
Visit Microsoft News Center for a virtual press kit of Cloud Computing resources. Watch Microsoft's Brad Smith advance policies for Cloud Computing on the Voices for Innovation website.
January 20, 2010
Intuit and Microsoft Join Forces to Deliver Web Applications to Millions of Small Businesses
Intuit Inc. and Microsoft plan to create new opportunities for software developers to deliver and market Web applications to small-business customers through the Intuit App Center. The two companies plan to integrate the capabilities of their cloud services platforms — the Intuit Partner Platform and Windows Azure platform — to enable developers and channel partners to deliver solutions to the millions of employees within businesses that use QuickBooks® financial software. In addition, the two companies will provide small businesses with Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity applications via the Intuit App Center.
Intuit will name Windows Azure as a “preferred platform” for small-business cloud application development on the Intuit Partner Platform. The companies expect this to jump-start development and distribution of new Web-based applications to help small businesses in today’s challenging economy. The free Windows Azure software development kit (SDK) (beta) for Intuit Partner Platform is available today at http://developer.intuit.com/azure.
For more information, read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
January 18, 2010
US Partners: Win a Trip to WPC 2010
Enter the Let’s Do the Math: Software + Services = WPC Sweepstakes by April 23, 2010 for a chance to win* a trip to the 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington D.C. in July.
By completing each Software-plus-Services training event, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $5,000 prize packages including a 7-day trip to Washington D.C., roundtrip airfare, luxury accommodations at Hotel Rouge, evening tour of the D.C. area, day trip to Mt. Vernon, $1000 in spending money, and paid registration to Microsoft's 2010 Worldwide Partner Conference. Get complete registration information.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 US states (includes D. of C.) 18+ who are employees of companies actively enrolled in the Microsoft Partner Network. Game ends on April 23, 2010. Download the full rules.
January 13, 2010
HP and Microsoft Simplify Technology Environments
HP and Microsoft announced a three-year agreement to invest $250 million to significantly simplify technology environments for businesses of all sizes.
The companies plan to deliver new solutions that will do the following:
• Be built on a next-generation infrastructure-to-application model
• Advance cloud computing by speeding application implementation
• Eliminate complexities of IT management and automate existing manual processes to lower the overall costs
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center and review partner action items in a letter from Corporate Vice President Allison Watson. Get more information about becoming a Frontline partner.
January 12, 2010
Video Interview on The VAR Guy: Microsoft Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index
Joe Panettieri of The VAR Guy posted Update: Microsoft’s CSAT Index for Gold Partners, a blog post featuring a video interview with Julie Bennani, general manager of the Microsoft Partner Network. In the video, Julie dispels some of the recent negative CSAT comments.
The post states, “In the age of perpetual tweets and FaceBook updates, there seems to be very little public push back about CSAT. Apparently, Microsoft gave Gold Partners plenty of runway to prepare for the CSAT Index requirements.” See post for more information.
Has the new CSAT requirement impacted your activities? Let us know by commenting below.
January 6, 2010
Technology Fans Swarm Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
Some 110,000 gadget-lovers are descending on Las Vegas for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show. The four-day show officially kicks off tonight, when Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Robbie Bach, president of the company’s Entertainment & Devices Division, take the stage at the Las Vegas Hilton to deliver their keynote address. Visit the Microsoft News Center to get the latest CES coverage and watch Ballmer’s keynote on-demand.
December 30, 2009
Vote Today in Mashable Poll: Gmail vs. Outlook
Which email do you prefer, Gmail or Outlook? Mashable wants to know. Visit their site and vote, and let us know how you voted, and why, by commenting below. We’d like to hear from you!
December 23, 2009
Microsoft Partner Marching Orders for 2010
Are we continuing in a recession or coming out of one? No one can be sure. Read this article from Redmond Channel Partner to hear Microsoft experts including Allison Watson and Julie Bennani offer advice to put your company in good stead either way. Get an overview of new Microsoft business opportunities to grow your business.
December 16, 2009
Share a Childhood Memory in Campaign to Keep Children Safe
Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit is donating its PhotoDNA technology to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). PhotoDNA is a matching technology developed to assist in finding and removing many of the worst images of child pornography from the Internet.
As part of this effort, Microsoft has created the “A Childhood for Every Child” campaign. We are asking you to join us on Wednesday, Dec. 16th and Thursday, Dec. 17th by tweeting or blogging about one of your favorite memories from childhood. It can be as simple as running through the sprinklers on a hot summer day or that crazy road trip that you and the family took. Hashtag your tweets with #C4EC or post them below. We also invite you to use the campaign logo as your profile photo or e-mail signature. Together, we can send a message that we care about providing a childhood for every child.
December 15, 2009
Washington D.C. Gears Up for WPC 2010
More than 10,000 Microsoft partners and employees are expected to gather in Washington D.C. on July 12-15, 2010 for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). They will experience the latest Microsoft products and initiatives, network and share best practices, and learn new skills to enhance their business. Partners from around the globe will generate nearly 30,000 hotel room nights, and pump $14.5 million in delegate spending into the local economy during a traditionally slow period for meetings and events. More...
December 15, 2009
Microsoft Named 2009's Most Talked-about Brand
From article on Adweek:
Kanye West, Kate Gosselin and Michael Jackson were among the top trending topics on Twitter in 2009, but Microsoft and other tech brands dominated the blogosphere, per Zeta Interactive.
In a report compiled exclusively for Brandweek, the New York-based interactive marketing agency ranked brands based on the volume and number of online posts (through Facebook, Twitter and blogs), as well as the overall tone (positive, negative) of these conversations. Four of the top 10 companies on this year’s list were tech brands: Microsoft, Google, Apple and BlackBerry. Retailers Target and Walmart placed in the fifth and 10th spots, respectively.
Read complete article and let us know what you think by commenting below.
December 11, 2009
VFI Healthcare Policy Poll
What are your views on healthcare reform policies and health IT? If enacted, healthcare reform legislation—passed in the U.S. House and being debated in the Senate—will affect businesses across the nation, including thousands of technology companies. In the coming years, we are also likely to see myriad innovations and business opportunities in health IT.
Let your voice be heard, take a few minutes to answer the Voices for Innovation seven question Healthcare Policy Flash Poll. Once the poll closes, we’ll aggregate and share the results with VFI members.
December 3, 2009
Microsoft’s Cloud: Can MSPs Really Profit?
In this video interview DynTek Managing Director, Ken Young, offers his thoughts on Microsoft’s cloud strategy and how his business is adapting to the cloud. According to Ken, customer demand is high, and his business is seeing recurring revenue that they have not experienced previously.
What are your experiences on developing a cloud strategy? We’d like to hear from you.
December 1, 2009
Baby Boomers Want Technology That Fits Their Lifestyle and Values
New research released today by Microsoft and AARP shows that the baby boom generation—through sheer numbers, enormous buying power, and an exceptionally high interest in technology—has more to do with which software, devices and online services survive and evolve than most people realize.
Excerpt from Microsoft PressPass interview with Michael Rogers about research on baby boomers and technology:
The big surprise for me, as someone who follows technology, was how much the baby boomers' relationship with technology is still changing. It's not at all what researchers have seen with the "greatest generation"—the parents of the boomers—which has a tendency to be frozen in time with respect to technology. People from that generation get to a point where they have found certain technologies they like, and they're going to stick with what they know. The baby boomers, on the other hand, are very clearly still adopting new technologies. I call baby boomers "sensible adopters." They may not adopt technology as fast as their kids do, but when a technology makes sense for their lives they adopt it very quickly.
To learn more, read the complete article. What do you think about baby boomers and technology? Let us know by commenting below.
November 23, 2009
Microsoft Partner Network: Working Towards Community
Excerpt from Redmond Channel Partner Online article,
This past July, the Microsoft Partner Program received a new name -- the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) -- and, in addition to new competency requirements, programs and technologies, a new social networking attitude.
As Julie Bennani, general manager of the MPN, notes, the social media effort "is part of our strategy to go where our partners are." That means sites such as Twitter, Facebook, flickr, YouTube and LinkedIn, for example.
She explains: "Our vision for the Microsoft Partner Network is simple -- we want to provide opportunities for partners to develop and expand their businesses, provide expertise and resources that help partners better serve their customers, and create passionate communities that spark innovation by connecting partners with one another."
What community features would you like the Microsoft Partner Network to add? Let us know by commenting below.
November 23, 2009
New Core Infrastructure Competencies Launched
The new Core Infrastructure Competencies launched today in the Microsoft Partner Network mean faster revenue growth and longer customer engagements for you. Did you know a recent IDC study found that partners with two or more Core Infrastructure competencies experienced 68% larger average deal sizes and 28% higher revenue per employee? New competencies include Desktop Platform, Server Platform, and Systems Management which replace the Advanced Infrastructure competency and join the existing Security and Virtualization competencies. Get started today!
November 20, 2009
Hot Topic: Google Chrome OS and Microsoft
Google has released Chrome OS, and the media is speculating what that means for Microsoft. For the latest, read Microsoft,other rivals slam Google Chrome OS on Computerworld and Will Microsoft's Silverlight dampen the appeal of Google's Chrome OS? on ZDNet. In Computerworld, the Microsoft spokeswoman states, "From our perspective, our customers are already voicing their approval of the way Windows 7 just works -- across the Web and on the desktop, and on all sizes and types of PCs -- purchasing twice as many units of Windows 7 as we've sold of any other operating system over a comparable time."
Thoughts? Let us know.
November 19, 2009
TechCrunch Exclusive Interview with Steve Ballmer
Watch a Steve Ballmer interview with TechCrunch's Michael Arrington about products, competition, and the road ahead. Ballmer talked about ways to interact with devices, including touch, voice, cameras, and gestures, and says Microsoft's goal is "one integrated computing infrastructure." He also talks about search innovation, acquisition strategy, and even Twitter.
On Microsoft’s “three screens and the cloud” strategy, Ballmer says it’s a “fundamental shift in the computing paradigm.” He added, “We used to talk about mainframe computer, mini computer, PC computing, client server computing, graphical computing, the internet; I think this notion of three screens and a cloud, multiple devices that are all important, the cloud not just as a point of delivery of individual applications, but really as a new platform, a scale-out, very manageable platform that has services that span security contacts, I think it’s a big deal.”
What do you think? We’d like to hear from you. Let us know by commenting below.
November 18, 2009
Download 2010 Betas for Office Suites, SharePoint, Project, and Visio
Today’s beta releases of Microsoft Office 2010 suites, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, Microsoft Project 2010, and Microsoft Visio 2010 represent an exciting opportunity for you to test-drive new features—and to share your feedback. And don’t forget: As a Microsoft partner, you can access a range of exclusive software benefits to run your business.
Now is your chance to discover firsthand how these beta releases of deliver collaboration and productivity enhancements to provide a superior user experience, whether it’s on a PC, a Web browser, or a Windows phone.
New features make working together easier than ever before. Get new or enhanced customizable templates, photo editing, and coauthoring capabilities in Office 2010. Find quick and easy access to resources and knowledge—in a familiar environment—with SharePoint Server 2010. New collaboration tools in Project 2010 provide even better visibility into projects at all levels. Visual tools and templates, and Web-sharing capabilities in Visio 2010 bring real-time data together from multiple sources.
Download the betas today to get critical hands-on experience—and get ready to help your customers increase efficiency and streamline business processes by making the most of their existing resources. You’ll also want to provide input to help us refine the products before they’re released to manufacturing.
November 18, 2009
Winner of Touch First Developer Challenge Announced
Congratulations to User Interface Design GmbH in Ludwigsberg, Germany for winning the developer challenge using Microsoft Surface. They won a Microsoft Surface Developer Unit for their application submission, UID Portfolio.
UID Portfolio is an interactive company presentation which provides an intuitive and innovative way to present a company’s portfolio of services by touching the elements on the screen. UID delivered an application which introduces new gestures like drawing a circle on the Surface to sort digital content, application design which delivers an optimum 360 degree view for simultaneous multi-user capabilities, innovative use of tagged objects to initiate an action when laid on the Surface, and introducing immediate user-guidance and feedback.
Runners up include: Vertigo (Hard Rock Worldwide Memorabilia) and Infusion Development/Serverside Group Ltd. (Financial Card Designer). The Microsoft Surface Team received over forty entries across six different countries with applications designed for retail, hospitality, automotive, banking and finance, as well as innovative new ways to manipulate digital content with the introduction of new gestures. We would like to thank all contestants who participated.
November 17, 2009
Launch of Windows Azure Platform Announced at PDC
Microsoft announced the availability today of the Windows Azure platform at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC). In his opening keynote address, Ray Ozzie, chief software architect at Microsoft, described Windows Azure and SQL Azure as core elements of the company’s cloud services strategy. The company also announced a set of new Windows Azure features, Windows Server capabilities, and marketplace offerings that will make it easier for developers to build profitable businesses from their Microsoft-based solutions.
“Customers want choice and flexibility in how they develop and deploy applications,” Ozzie said. “We’re moving into an era of solutions that are experienced by users across PCs, phones and the Web, and that are delivered from datacenters we refer to as private clouds and public clouds. Built specifically for this era of cloud computing, Windows Azure and SQL Azure will give developers what they need to build great applications and profitable businesses.” Read complete article on Microsoft PressPass.
Azure Platform Special Offers: Beginning January 4, 2010, members of the Microsoft Partner Network in select countries will be able try the Windows Azure Platform with minimal cost—and risk —through special offers.
Are you joining the cloud? If you have, how is it? Let us know by commenting below.
November 17, 2009
Dolly Parton on Internet Explorer 8 and Web Slices
Dolly Parton likes how the Web Slices feature of Windows Internet Explorer 8 makes it easier for her fans to find the content they want on her website. During the video, Parton says she "wouldn't know a gigabyte from a snake bite. But the folks over at Microsoft sure know their computers." Hear all of what Dolly has to say on YouTube or read about it on CNET.
What do you think? Let us know by commenting below.
November 17, 2009
Microsoft Office Chosen Over Google Docs in Mashable Poll
Who would win in a fight: Microsoft Office or Google Docs? Mashable wanted to know last week. The winner was declared with Microsoft Office getting 51% of the votes, and Google Docs 37%. If you didn’t get to vote, let us know your opinion by commenting below.
November 13, 2009
Get Ready for SharePoint Server 2010
The SharePoint Server 2010 Beta release is coming next week, are you ready? Training is now available for IT professionals and developers who want to upgrade their SharePoint Server 2007 skills to SharePoint Server 2010. Use this guide to get details about the learning resources that will be available, getting started with SharePoint 2010, certification paths, and new features.
November 13, 2009
Software-plus-Services Featured on Redmondmag.com
Excerpt from a recent article on Redmondmag.com entitled, “Microsoft’s S+S Strategy Grows Up” by Mary Jo Foley:
"Three screens and the cloud" is the updated take on Microsoft's Software plus Services (S+S) cloud-computing strategy. At this point it's obvious that it's focused primarily on consumer scenarios, but that's part of Microsoft's new strategy: Develop a compelling and consumer-friendly proof point, and then flesh out the enterprise complement.
Interpreting Ballmer's remarks, I see Microsoft's attack as being two-pronged. The company plans to deliver a set of services that are common across devices, PCs and TVs. One example is the Zune Video service that will work across Zune HD players, Xbox consoles, Windows PCs and Windows Phones.
But the company is taking this idea further by introducing common "user experiences" across these categories of devices -- things like touch, gesturing and voice-activated search. At that point, the word "Windows" in the names of products -- for example, Windows Phones, Windows MediaRoom, Windows Azure and the Windows operating system -- won't be just a branding mechanism. There'll actually be a set of common Windows elements and services that will be integrated and interoperable.
November 11, 2009
Debate on Cloud Computing on The Economist: What's Your View?
The Economist has been running a series of online debates on topical issues, and the latest one is on cloud computing. The proposed argument is that the cloud can’t be entirely trusted.
On one side is Stephen Elop, President, Microsoft Business Division, who states, "While I advocate for the cloud, there's a desire among many customers to avoid a technology ultimatum." Elop calls for a mixed approach, advocating Software-plus-Services as a much more realistic scenario for most organizations. He states, "Certain applications will be well served by the cloud, while others will benefit from immediate proximity to local computing and graphical capabilities, memory, storage and so on."
On the other side, Marc Benioff, Chairman & CEO of salesforce.com, could not disagree more. To him cloud computing is a shift that leaves localized applications behind, stating "because the vendor only has a single code base to manage, rather than dozens scattered over various platforms and operating systems, customers receive virtually constant innovation. Upgrades are seamless."
What do you think? We’d like to know! Leave a comment below, and join the debate to learn more about the issue and make your vote heard. The Economist debate continues with arguments and rebuttals until closing on Nov. 18.
November 10, 2009
Windows 7 Wins in OS Faceoff on Mashable
With the release of Windows 7 in October, Mashable pitted Microsoft and Apple operating systems against each other in their weekly web faceoff. As can be expected, the voting and the comments were heated. Over 7000 votes were cast with less than 400 votes separating the two operating systems. But in the end, Microsoft was declared the victor. With 3632 votes (50%), Windows 7 defeated Snow Leopard’s 3278 votes (45%). 357 (5%) voted that the battle was dead even.
Let us know how you would have voted, and why, by commenting below. We’d like to hear from you!
November 9, 2009
Exchange Server 2010 Announced at Tech-Ed Today
Today at the Microsoft Tech-Ed Europe 2009 conference in Germany, Microsoft Business Division President Stephen Elop announced that Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 is now available worldwide. Along with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010 is part of a generation of solutions designed for increased business productivity and cost savings.
In today’s challenging economic environment, innovative use of new information technologies can result in improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. The combination of cost savings coupled with improved productivity and innovation is defined as “the New Efficiency.”
Read complete Microsoft PressPass article
Watch the Tech-Ed Keynote with Stephen Elop
Download the Exchange 2010 trial (MS partners only)
Learn About the New Efficiency
November 5, 2009
Microsoft Partner Network Evolving to Serve You
Learn more about how—and why—the Microsoft Partner Program has evolved into the Microsoft Partner Network. What do these changes mean for you?
Communities and QuickStart programs—Through the Microsoft Partner Network, you can participate in communities, including this website, to connect with other partners whose solutions and services complement your own. If you’re an early-stage startup company, Microsoft BizSpark can help accelerate your success. And if you’re a Web professional, Microsoft WebsiteSpark can help you drive new business opportunities.
Subscriptions—Your primary program contact can purchase subscriptions, like Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) and Empower for ISVs, if your organization is a Registered Member of the Microsoft Partner Network.
Competencies—Microsoft competencies help demonstrate your expertise and enable you to build more effective marketing campaigns. Your certifications are meaningful to prospective customers who can see your specialized ability.
Advanced competencies (coming in late 2010)—Advanced competencies can enable partners with deeper levels of expertise to differentiate their businesses in the marketplace with a specific Microsoft brand.
October 28, 2009
Comment on Upcoming Changes to the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Portal Experience
A new Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Portal experience is coming soon, and we’d like to hear your questions and comments about the changes! As Allison Watson mentioned during WPC 2009, all of us in the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group are focused on enhancing the partner experience. We are working to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to do business with Microsoft by simplifying your experience and connecting processes to create an easy to follow workflow. Now we are looking for your feedback.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing more information on some of these important process changes to enhance your experience and we will provide live support with webinars and open hours where you can submit your questions and feedback directly to the product management team.
We invite you to post your questions and comments about the upcoming changes. How can we help you grow your business and be successful in the coming years? What are your goals for your business and how can the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Portal help you reach them?
You can give us your input in a variety of ways:
Post directly to this blog post | Post on Twitter and use the #MPN4U hashtag | Send us an Email
October 22, 2009
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are Here!
Now that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are available worldwide, you have the opportunity to explore new development, sales, and services opportunities for your business. Windows 7, the next-generation operating system from Microsoft offers a robust foundation for high-quality experiences across applications, services, PCs, and devices. Now is the time to learn about Windows 7, use it internally, and become a trusted resource for your customers.
The latest release of Windows Server 2008 R2 enables you to help your customers’ increase the reliability and flexibility of their server infrastructures. With new virtualization tools, Web resources, management enhancements, and Windows 7 integration, Windows Server 2008 R2 can help save time, reduce costs, and provide a platform for a dynamic and efficiently managed data center.
Windows 7 Partner Network Resources
Windows Server 2008 R2 Partner Network Resources
A message from Corporate Vice Presidents, Allison Watson and Tami Reller
October 21, 2009
Win 7 Video Contest: 7 Ways to Change the World
To celebrate the launch of Windows 7, we want to discover creative ways that a PC running Windows can help make a great impact in your community. Submit your video entry to the 7 Ways to Change the World online competition, and if you have one of the best 7 submissions you could win a new PC running Windows 7 and a $7,000 grant for your chosen NGO or nonprofit. We plan to share all the submissions online, providing a great resource for non profits and community organizations to find out how technology can help support their work. Learn More.
October 19, 2009
Public Beta for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 in November
Today, at Microsoft’s SharePoint Conference, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced that the public beta of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 will become available in November, and revealed some of the new SharePoint Server 2010 capabilities for the first time.
“By taming the overflow of information across systems and technologies, SharePoint enables organizations to thrive,” Ballmer said. “SharePoint 2010 is the biggest and most important release of SharePoint to date. When paired with Microsoft Office 2010, SharePoint 2010 will transform efficiency by connecting workers across a single collaboration platform for business.”
SharePoint Server is one of the fastest-growing products in Microsoft’s history, with over $1.3 billion in revenue, representing over a 20 percent growth over the past year. According to IDC, Microsoft attained a significant share of the collaborative content workspace market in 2008, and had the highest growth rate among top vendors with its Microsoft Office SharePoint Server.1 Read article
1 Source: IDC: “Worldwide Collaborative Content Workspace 2009-2013 Forecast and 2008 Vendor Shares: A Case of Coalescing Submarkets,” Doc #219885 September 2009.
October 16, 2009
Join the Windows 7 Launch Event!
Be a part of Microsoft and Windows history. Tune in live to Microsoft PressPass on October 22, at 8:00 A.M., Pacific time, and join Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to celebrate the worldwide availability of Windows 7. Can’t make it? You can join the fun later, on demand.
October 16, 2009
“Ask the NTO” on Voices for Innovation
"Ask the NTO", a new feature on the Voices of Innovation (VFI) website, gives VFI members the chance to ask Microsoft National Technology Officers (NTOs) questions about working with the public sector and building their business. Stuart McKee, Microsoft’s National Technology Officer, kicks-off the feature this month by raising the question, “What is happening with stimulus programs?”
If you have a question, hit a roadblock, or want to bounce an idea off Stuart, you can “Ask the NTO” by emailing info@voicesforinnovation.org
October 13, 2009
Microsoft Hosting University Now Accepting New Students
Choose from three lesson plans—Build, Manage, or Scale—and explore the curriculum of training courses and study materials. Learn about adopting and deploying the Windows hosting platform and management tools, and how you can get the tools to build your website. Learn More.
October 6, 2009
Hold Your Own Launch Event
The joint launch of the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 offers new opportunities for you to generate leads and drive business. Plan and host more-effective customer events with the customer presentations, demos, and other resources you’ll find in the Microsoft New Efficiency campaign launch event-in-a-box. Learn more.
October 6, 2009
IDC Study Finds Microsoft Partners Play Key Role in Economic Recovery
IDC has just released the report titled “Aid to Recovery: The Economic Impact of IT, Software, and the Microsoft Ecosystem on the Global Economy.” This study found that companies that partner with Microsoft play a key role in driving the IT industry's overall contribution to job growth and economic development. In 2009, Microsoft partners will have revenues of more than $535 billion and, by the end of 2009, will invest nearly $180 billion in local economies. What’s more, for every unit of revenue – dollar, euro, peso, etc. – that Microsoft will earn in 2009, partners will earn 8.70. That’s a multiplier that will create jobs and opportunities needed to renew the economy and our local communities. Learn more.
September 17, 2009
Video of the Day: Business Productivity - Driving Your Business Forward
In the upcoming year, Microsoft will unleash the next wave of innovation for Business Productivity products, including Office, SharePoint, Exchange and Office Communication Server. Learn about the emerging opportunities presented by the next wave of Office innovation, and how to position and sell this upcoming technology with customers today. Watch now.
September 10, 2009
Video of the Day: Business Opportunities with Windows Internet Explorer 8
Find out about the new features in Internet Explorer 8. Identify potential customers through development and marketing resources, create new revenue streams for your company, and develop great online customer experiences. Watch now.
September 3, 2009
Video of the Day: Get Your Products Ready for Windows 7
Now is the time to ensure that your existing products are ready to take advantage of the new opportunities Windows 7 will provide. This session walks you through the resources and tools available to help you make sure your products are compatible. Learn about the new features and hear from partners about business opportunities that the Windows 7 platform provides. Watch now.
August 31, 2009
Video of the Day: Web Solutions - What Customers Are Buying, and How to Get There
Get a first-hand look into the framework Microsoft is using to tie web technologies to business problems, and how their portfolio of products applies to customer solutions. Watch now.
August 27, 2009
Video of the Day: Social Media 101
Social media is the latest trend, but many leaders face big hurdles with getting online and creating a buzz. Learn how you can use social media tools internally across your organization and as a mechanism to quickly share important information. Watch now.
