The Microsoft Partner Network UK Blog

WPC Value Part 4: Dynamics Partners – Network with Dynamics experts and recharge your skills at this years Microsoft Partner Conference

Alexbuk — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:24:00 GMT

It’s been an exciting year for Dynamics and this year’s Worldwide Partner Conference (Taking place in Houston from 7 – 11 July) keeps the momentum with a superb range of business and networking opportunities for all kinds of Dynamics Partners – from vertical specialists to ERP and CRM.

WPC is unbeatable as a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences with your Dynamics peers both in the UK and internationally. You'll get to hear industry analysts and thought leaders offering advice and best practice, and you'll be able to access the latest technical and business support available from across Microsoft UK and Microsoft Corporate.

Alongside the keynotes, WPC offers an extensive range of sessions, tailored for Dynamics partners, aiming to help you further develop your own skills and your business's:

The Big Dynamics Picture

If you're a Dynamics CRM, NAV or AX Partner you will want to attend the End-to-End update sessions that showcase the latest strategy, business and product updates.

You’ll see demos of new and upcoming capabilities and be able to get guidance on building a volume business based on Dynamics ERP sales.

In addition there are sessions that focus on the content, tools and social media support available to help you solve customer issues in real time. You’ll learn how to win customers and discover new ways to troubleshoot customers’ challenges.

Break Into New Markets

The conference offers the best environment to understand new market opportunities. As a Dynamics Partner you can take a deep dive into the public sector landscape; explore CRM for financial services or learn about the multichannel opportunities presented by Dynamics for retail.

Alternatively, if you’re considering expanding horizontally, check out how the recent acquisitions of MarketingPilot and Netbreeze extend the possibilities of Dynamics CRM for cross-sector marketing departments!

Develop Strategies for Success

Many Partners use WPC as a springboard for growth – and this year’s conference offers a wide selection of business development sessions.

Learn those strategies to sustain your profit margin; discover opportunities to combine Office 365 with Dynamics sales and find out how you can tap in to Microsoft Services Account Management, Reactive Support, Proactive Support and Services, Remote Access, 24×7 Support and Training. The list goes on.....

Get Closer to the Partner Network

Alongside sales, marketing and professional development support, WPC offers the perfect opportunity to explore the Microsoft Partner Network, including Dynamics resources and benefits like:

Hear a few words from the UK Dynamics Partner Lead, Ian Corcoran, about why you should sign up for WPC 2013 in the Dynamics Bubble.

Check out the UK WPC Hub for details of those UK specific activities taking place at WPC alongside the latest news and information. Explore the full list of Dynamics partner sessions via the Worldwide Digital WPC site.

WPC Value Part 3: Hosting Partners – Network with Cloud leaders and pioneers at this years Worldwide Partner Conference.

Alexbuk — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:19:00 GMT

As a Microsoft Hosting Partner, WPC offers you a superb range of business and networking opportunities.

With leading figures from the global hosted solutions community attending WPC, you can meet with other successful service providers from every discipline. That's alongside Hosting gurus, strategists, technical experts and Microsoft UK and Microsoft Corporate contacts.

Together with the networking, WPC provides a superb selection of partner sessions covering every angle of business development.

This year, you can take full advantage of the phenomenal Hosting and Cloud services opportunity. So, whether you’re a seasoned Cloud campaigner who wants to move up to the next level, or an ambitious Hosting newbie, you’ll find a wealth of high value sessions to help you evolve and grow your business.

Gain the skills you need to succeed

Winning in Hosted Services means embracing new approaches to marketing, selling and delivering solutions. It can also mean you need to re-think engrained processes like HR, training and compensation. Sessions will help you walk away with an understanding of the true Hosting opportunity.

Grow individual and team performance

What trends and triggers drive customers to consider the Cloud? At WPC, you'll learn first hand from the most successful Cloud and Service Provider partners. See how you can successfully identify opportunities for Hosted solution sales and explore the Microsoft resources available to help you and your Hosting business grow further.

Develop strategies for success

Is it best to specialise in a couple of Hosted solutions, like a traditional ‘best of breed’ vendor, or to offer a complete suite of hosted solutions spanning applications and infrastructure? WPC is the place to really explore the pros and cons of each approach. You'll learn what customers REALLY value the most, and discover how to take advantage of the cross-sell opportunities within Microsoft's technology portfolio.

Create marketing that connects with customers

Many partners who are succeeding with hosted solutions are deploying seriously innovative marketing techniques.
At WPC, you can see the stunning results being achieved from customer satisfaction-driven and peer-to-peer (P2P) marketing. And you can formulate and refine your own marketing approaches collaboratively with Microsoft Partner Account Managers (PAMs), sales representatives and planning specialists.

Alongside the sales, marketing and professional development support, the conference also offers the chance to get more from the Microsoft Partner Network, including dedicated Hosting Partner resources and benefits like:

Check out the UK WPC Hub for details of those UK specific activities taking place at WPC alongside the latest news and information. Explore the full list of partner sessions via the Worldwide Digital WPC site.

WPC 2013 takes place in Houston from 7 – 11 July.

Build Your Business with GrowthAccelerator, Webcast 9.30am (BST) 15 May 2013.

Alexbuk — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:36:00 GMT

Find out all you need to know about GrowthAccelerator and how it can help take your business to the next level.

Taking place at 09:30am (BST) on Wednesday 15th May, this Live Meeting, for Microsoft Partners based in England, is ideal if you are wishing to understand more about the exciting new partnership opportunities with GrowthAccelerator, the government-backed service dedicated to accelerating the growth of England’s brightest businesses.

This new and innovative £200m service will help up to 26,000 businesses to achieve their ambition and potential, as well as creating 55,000 high-value jobs.

What does GrowthAccelerator do?

GrowthAccelerator helps business leaders who are passionate about growing their businesses and have the intent to double their business within three years but need some support on how to realise their growth ambitions.

Using a number of diagnostic tools and a dedicated growth manager, the programme will help uncover areas within your business that can be optimised for growth and will help define the right growth plan for your organisation.

You will then receive expert coaching to support your achievement of the plan. In addition you can access training grants for your management team up to the value of £2000 per individual. The programme has three streams and you can choose to focus on business development, accessing finance or driving innovation.

Join the call to learn why other Microsoft Partners have taken advantage of this initiative and how you can get involved.

Note, the programme is specifically for partners based in England.

More information is also available on the UK MPN Portal GrowthAccelerator page.

Worldwide Partner Conference Value Part 2: Resellers: Knowledge and Inspiration to Profit at WPC

Alexbuk — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:36:00 GMT

In part 2 of the WPC value series, I'm focusing on the benefits that Value Added Resellers will get from attending the Worldwide Partner Conference (Houston from 7 – 11 July).

As a Value Added Reseller the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) offers an array of opportunities to develop your business.

There’s the networking! You’ll have many opportunities to meet with:
• Distributors and System Integrators
• Microsoft contacts at all levels based both in the UK and worldwide

Alongside this networking, there are a range of reseller focused tracks, workshops, one-to-ones, seminars and round tables available. No matter which sessions you attend, these all have the same focus on helping you grow your business:

Grow selling Microsoft

It’s been a pretty ground breaking year for Microsoft product launches. WPC 2013 will feature a range of support to help you sell new tech like Windows 8, Windows Server, Microsoft Lync and Office 365.

There are a wide choice of breakout tracks showcasing those new ways you can deliver Microsoft solutions – including a session co-hosted by IDC that will give you a blueprint for success in the Cloud.

Win in new markets

Planning to extend your customer base or looking to enter new markets? You'll find practical, actionable insights in relation to gaining in-roads into profitable sectors including government and education.

In addition, you’ll be able to see how fellow partners are winning in the small to medium size business space with details of those business models adopted and associated winning sales and marketing strategies.

Build individual and team skills

Whether in sales, marketing, strategy or leadership positions, WPC provides an opportunity for you and your colleagues to develop new skills and learn best practises.

You’ll be able to attend sessions that equip sales teams to successfully engage with C-level customers through to interactive discussions on everything from marketing, business planning, recruitment to team building.

Get more from your membership

There will also be plenty of opportunities to gain more from your Microsoft Partner Network membership, including guidance around dedicated resources and benefits for Value Added Resellers such as:

Check out the UK WPC Hub for details of those UK specific activities taking place at WPC alongside the latest news and information. You can also explore the full list of partner sessions on Worldwide Digital WPC site.

UK Government Cloud Opportunity. Getting Your Business Accredited for G-Cloud Event - London, 24 June, 9.30am-12.30pm

Alexbuk — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:03:00 GMT

Many Microsoft partners are still unaware of this potential opportunity to sell their cloud offerings to Government and how G-Cloud supports the Government agenda to procure more from UK SME’s.

The G-Cloud is now firmly established as the procurement framework for UK Government to buy cloud services with over £18m of business already transacted. March was a record month with over £7m of sales recorded from 280 purchases with buyers from across the public sector; central and local government, NHS bodies, universities and government agencies.

Over 80 Microsoft partners are already accredited for G-Cloud Version 2 and more will soon be accredited for Version 3.

This morning event, in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, has been arranged to allow you to find out everything you need to know about G-Cloud. From what G-Cloud is and isn’t, to how to get on the framework, what the business opportunity is and then the chance to ask your questions of the Government’s G-Cloud lead, Microsoft and a SME who is already on G-Cloud and who has won Government business.

Taking place on Monday 24 June 2013, 10.00-12.30 at Microsoft Cardinal Place, 80/100 Victoria Street, London - The agenda for the session is as follows:

9.30 Registration

10.00 Welcome and introduction

10.10 What is G-cloud, what’s the opportunity, G-Cloud v4. Nicola Westmore, Cabinet Office

10.40 The SME Agenda. How Government is trying to drive more business to UK SME’s. Sally Collier, Cabinet Office

11.10 Microsoft and G-cloud. Daniel Batts, Public Sector Business Development Director, Microsoft

11.40 The G-Cloud Reality. The experience of a Microsoft partner on getting on G-Cloud and the benefits

12.00 Panel Q&A (30mins)

12.30 Event Finishes

We expect this session to prove very popular so please register early to avoid disappointment! Register online (quote invite code 5DA831 when prompted) or by calling 0870 166 6680 quote ref 0524.

Many thanks to the Cabinet Office for supporting this event.

Worldwide Partner Conference Value Part 1: ISVs - A world of Networking Awaits!

Alexbuk — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:55:00 GMT

As an Independent Software Vendor you’ll find that WPC provides a wealth of business and networking opportunities. By attending you'll have the opportunity to meet with:
• UK and global system integrators and large account resellers
• Contacts across Microsoft UK and Microsoft Corp

Alongside the networking, there are a wealth of partner sessions covering every aspect of business development both commercial and technical. Indeed, this year’s event in Houston features more partner-focused tracks, workshops, one-to-ones, seminars and round tables.

As an ISV partner in particular, there’s a wealth of high value sessions which provide those insights that could help you evolve and grow your business:

Build individual and team skills

Professional development tracks are especially useful if you’re looking to sharpen up on industry trends and carryout some business planning for the future. Or you can take an alternative perspective and discover the performance secrets of top sports stars – and learn how to apply them in your own business?

Improving your business’s visibility

The conference provides the perfect platform to increase your business’s exposure within Microsoft as well as receive guidance and best practise in respect to improving your exposure to customers.

Sell your solutions

There are a wealth of sessions to help you create, promote and sell your solutions and services. From sessions dedicated to implementing the correct pricing strategy, through to commercial modelling and value proposition refinement.

When it comes to traditional sales skills, WPC includes learning opportunities full of practical, actionable advice – like the secrets of CxO engagement - a great way to engage higher up in your target accounts and make a real impact on your profit margin.

Alongside sales, marketing and professional development support, WPC provides opportunities to explore different facets of the Microsoft Partner Network, including ISV orientated partner resources and benefits such as:
- Pinpoint
- Internal-Use Licenses
- Event Support (Gold Competency Partners)

Check out the UK WPC Hub for UK specific news/information OR explore the full list of partner sessions via Digital WPC

WPC 2013 takes place in Houston from 7 – 11 July.

Partner Cloud Deployment Programme Updates

Alexbuk — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:55:00 GMT

There have been two very important updates related to the Partner Cloud Deployment Programme:

Update to Cloud Deployment Programme requirements
Extension of the Office 365 EA Promotion

Updated Cloud Deployment Requirements

As a result of feedback from partners currently in the Cloud Deployment Programme, requirements have been updated to reflect all of the workloads associated with Office 365, instead of just Exchange which is part of the Messaging Competency. If you are a cloud deployment partner, in order to maintain your designation you must meet the following requirements by the 30 June 2013.

1) Partners must be Silver or Gold status in one of the following competencies earned at the local level:

Messaging
Communications
Content & Collaboration
Project Portfolio Management
Devices & Deployment

2) As a minimum, at least one individual in your organisation must past the updated 2013 exams that correspond with the competency you qualify under by 30 June 2013. You may wish to match the competency requirements at the same time. For example, if you choose to qualify under the Messaging Competency, at least one individual must past Exams 341 and 342 by 30 June 2013.

3) You must maintain your status in the Cloud Accelerate programme - You will have until 1 October 2013 to fulfil this.

4) You must have completed 3 Office 365 deployments of more than 250 seats each with an enterprise customer by 1 October 2013 for the competency workload you hold. We will review past deployments in which you were attached to the deployment via the OSA EA attach process to determine eligibility for this requirement.

Extension of the Office 365 EA Promo through June 30, 2013

Due to the popularity of the Office 365 EA Promo, we have made some slight modifications and have extended the offer through to 30 June 2013. High level details include:

Promo SKU remain the same but prices have been updated
Deployment funds will be available only until June 30th, 2013 and will now be applied on a “per tenant” basis as opposed to per Enrolled Affiliate
With the addition of Web Apps into E1, E1 and E2 are equivalent. The customer should understand they are getting E1 functionality. However, for this promotion we will continue to transact using the E2 SKU
What qualified customer to receive deployment benefits – unchanged
How partners receive deployment benefits – unchanged

Note, that while we are allowing partners with Silver Competencies in the five designated competencies detailed above to participate in the programme, after 30 June 2013 offers such as the EA Promo may require partners to have a Gold Competency.

More information on the Microsoft Partner Cloud Deployment.

Office 365 In Education - Partner Event, 23 April, Reading

Alexbuk — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:37:00 GMT

Equip yourself/your business with the required knowledge to get started selling and deploying Office 365 into Education!

Taking place in Microsoft UK HQ, Thames Valley Park, Reading on 23 April, this event is ideal if you're a Value Added Reseller (Microsoft Partner) selling into Education.

The sales orientated morning will be followed by a more technical orientated afternoon session focused on technical deployment and integration of Office 365 Education.

Alongside special guests you'll also hear from Alessandro Giacobbe, Microsoft Worldwide Education Partner Director. The event will conclude with open networking and the opportunity to meet key contacts in the Microsoft education partner team.

Registration problems? Email ukplcsup@microsoft.com or call +44 (0) 870 850 9442.

Detailed Agenda

09.00 Event Registration, Tea & Coffee
09.45 Welcome & Introduction Mark Stewart
10:00 The new Office 365 Education Overview Richard Green
11:00 Refreshments Break
11:15 Partner Opportunity Chris Rothwell
12:00 De-Mystifying Licensing Laura Gairn & James Marshall
12:45 Lunch & Networking
13:30 Workshop 1: Pre-Deployment James Marshall
14:15 Workshop 2: Deploying & Provisioning James Marshall & Tony Ison
15:00 Break
15:15 Workshop 3: Migration & Integration James Marshall
16:00 Keynote & Q&A Alessandro Giacobbe & Mark Stewart
16:45 Refreshments & Networking

Government Cloud (G-Cloud) Partner Opportunity Meeting – London, 9 May 2013

Alexbuk — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:13:00 GMT

UPDATE 25/04/13 Please Note: this event has now been postponed.

G-Cloud is the procurement framework for UK Government to buy cloud services. With over £10m of business already transacted, and growing month on month, there are huge opportunities for Microsoft Partners to make money in this area.

G-Cloud – The Partner Opportunity

Ideal if you're a Microsoft Partner transacting in the Public Sector space (or thinking of transacting), this free special event, in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, will allow you to find out everything you need to know about G-Cloud including:

What G-Cloud is
How to get on the G-Cloud framework
The G-Cloud Partner business opportunity

You'll have the chance put forward questions to the Government’s G-Cloud lead as well as Microsoft and a SME Partner who is already on G-Cloud, and who has already won Government business.

Taking place at Microsoft Cardinal Place, London, 9th May 4-6pm, we expect this session to prove very popular so please book early to avoid disappointment!

You can register online (quote invite code 5DA831 when prompted) or by calling 0870 166 6680 quote ref 0524.

Detailed Agenda

Welcome and introduction
Nicola Westmore, Cabinet Office - What is G-cloud, what’s the opportunity, G-Cloud v4.
Sally Collier, Cabinet Office - The SME Agenda. How Government is trying to drive more business to UK SME’s.
TBC Microsoft Partner - The G-Cloud Reality. The experience of a Microsoft partner on getting on G-Cloud and the benefits
Daniel Batts, Public Sector Business Development Director, Microsoft - Microsoft and G-cloud.
Panel Q&A

Look forward to seeing you on the 9th May for what we’re sure will be an interesting and informative event.

Win British Grand Prix Tickets with Microsoft Sales Assessments

Alexbuk — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:22:00 GMT

We’re offering you the chance to win two tickets to the hottest race in town: The British Grand Prix..........

To be eligible all you need to do is pass any of the below Sales or Pre Sales Specialist assessments between now and the 31st May 2013. The more assessments you pass the greater chance of winning!

Other than the excuse to see fast cars why should you undertake Sales or Pre Sales Accreditation?

Sales and Pre sales assessments provide the opportunity to build your expertise around a Microsoft product or solution area and gain an industry recognised qualification!

Each course takes you through the key components of a specific product and its features, an overview of it is licenced, key competitors and objection handling scenarios.

Eligible Exams:

Sales Specialist Accreditations:

Business Intelligence
Collaboration and Content
Communications
Customer Relationship Management
Data Platform
Desktop Enterprise
Desktop SMB
Identity and Access
Messaging
Private Cloud/Management and Virtualisation
Server Platform
Small Business
Windows Intune
Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) (New)

Pre Sales Technical Accreditations:

Business Intelligence
Communications
CRM
Virtualization/Management and Server

How to enter:

1) Log onto mssalesspecialist.com
2) Pass any of the below Sales or Pre Sales Assessments
3) Send a screen shot of your pass screen to SSAcomp@microsoft.com
4) Winner will be announced at the beginning of June
5) Full Terms and Conditions can be seen below.

Any questions, please email SSAcomp@microsoft.com and good luck.

Update 14/05/13: The British Grand Prix ticket incentive has been extended to include the NEW Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) Sales Specialist Accreditation (SSA). Recently launched this new Accreditation will help you sell Microsoft Project and gain the Microsoft Partner Network PPM competency.

In just four hours, you can learn what’s new in Microsoft Project Professional 2013 and Project Professional for Office 365, how to demonstrate Microsoft Project and deliver a successful proof-of-concept, and how to partner with Microsoft for a successful PPM sale and implementation. You have until the 31st May to sit and pass this SSA for your chance to win.