The 'I' in BI : Partner Portal

Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite

Hayley — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:51:33 GMT

Click on the link to find out how you can be involved….

Introducing our new partner programme videocasts

Hayley — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:16:35 GMT

We’ve just launched our new Partner Player to partners – a video hosting tool, providing another way in which to consume Microsoft-related information, alongside our e-newsletters, blogs and RSS feeds, designed to drive partner satisfaction and grow their business.

Wednesday we launched a series of videocasts to kickstart your knowledge of the Microsoft Partner Programme and to help you get the most value from your partnership.

All videocasts are accessible on our brand new Partner Player — you simply pick the videos you want to watch, be that learning about sales and marketing resources, getting the most from your internal-use licenses, or hearing tips and tricks about how to successfully renew your programme membership.

Just visit the Partner Player and start watching the videos. Or if you prefer, you can filter the videos to your tier level (Registered, Certified or Gold Certified), your role or video type, or just pick a video from our recommended list.

Yours sincerely,

Emma Richardson | Partner Programme Manager

BI partner demo contest

Hayley — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:53:37 GMT

CONTEST DESCRIPTION

This is a skill-based Contest. The object of this Contest is to offer Microsoft Business Intelligence Partners the opportunity to showcase demos that depict a “day in the life of” scenario that uses the spectrum of Microsoft Business Intelligence including Monitoring, Analysis and Planning. On or around the close of the Entry Period (as defined below), eligible winners will be selected based on the judging criteria set forth below. Partners can choose to use the online infrastructure to build the demo. Please visit http://partner.microsoft.com/bi for details including guidance on demo framework.

START AND END DATES

This Contest starts at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on November1st, 2008, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on December 31, 2008 (“Entry Period”). Entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible.

REGISTER TODAY

For details on Official entry procedures, rules, restrictions and guidelines on registration go to http://partner.microsoft.com/bi or email - msbidemo@microsoft.com

*Open only to companies legally domiciled in an eligible geography, and actively enrolled in the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) with a valid MSPP ID. Contest ends December 31, 2008. For details, see Official Rules at: http://partner.microsoft.com/bi

The Sales and Marketing Resource Library that launched to Partners today!!

Hayley — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:49:54 GMT

What is it?

The application is a tool that allows partner to search for materials that they can use in their own sales and marketing activities.

It’s very simple to use:

1. Partners set 3 filters

a. Category

b. Product

c. Resource Type

2. It then shows a list of resources available for download, where necessary these materials can then be customised.

We’re keen to ensure that you are able to leverage our content in your own sales and marketing efforts, so look to leverage the Sales and Marketing Resource Library at every opportunity you can.

Running a campaign? Collate and publish your sales and marketing materials here. Drive partners from your campaign pages to download materials to help them sell.

Running an event? Encourage them to think about using collateral they may want to provide to attendees on the day – or as follow up

Microsoft Action Pack Subscription

Hayley — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:29:43 GMT

Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) is a cost-effective annual subscription that provides Microsoft Registered Partners internal-use, full-version software and sales resources.

You will receive one Welcome Kit and three Quarterly Update Kits. Each kit contains new software releases, as well as updated sales and marketing materials that help you stay competitive, meet your sales goals and grow your business.

The Action Pack costs £199 plus VAT.

Check out the Partner portal to find out more: https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40016455?WT.mc_id=homeresources

Subscriptions are available only to Registered Members of the Microsoft Partner Programme. Not registered? Enrol today. It takes about 15 minutes and there is no charge to you.

Start earning more £££ ... New partner sales resources

Hayley — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:34:26 GMT

A new site launched at WW partner conference in July. A definite must use tool with customers. http://www.partnersalesresources.com/pages/default.aspx

What is it???

Microsoft Partnercast: Microsoft BI Partner Opportunity:NEW!

Hayley — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:21:43 GMT

Business Intelligence offers significant opportunities for our partners – to both grow your business and deliver customer value. In this partnercast, we’ll discuss why now is the right time, why BI is the right focus area and Microsoft the right company to partner with.

MP3 URL: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/7/c/47cec5ba-4fda-4836-8d7b-b8dac0fc9730/BusinessIntelligence.mp3

WMA URL: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/7/c/47cec5ba-4fda-4836-8d7b-b8dac0fc9730/BusinessIntelligence.wma

Contact Joanne Pinter for more details.

Zero Payments, Six Months – SmartPay from Microsoft

Hayley — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:44:53 GMT

SmartPay offers a simple package that makes selling easier and streamlines the acquisition of IT solutions for customers. Qualified customers get their IT solution taken care of – with zero payments for six months. Partners get a robust tool to help close more deals more quickly and nurture relationships with customers. After the introductory period, the remainder of the finance is paid in regular monthly payments. By focusing on customer needs rather than their budget cycles, partners become part of their customers’ IT solutions. SmartPay offers the IT customers need and the financing to make IT work.

For more information about Microsoft Financing and for full terms and conditions for SmartPay visit our Partner or Customer sites :

Partner site: www.microsoftfinancing.com

Customer site: www.microsoft.com/uk/financing

Information on becoming a Certified BI partner......

Hayley — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:56:00 GMT

Certifications

To qualify, your organisation must employ or contract with two individuals who have passed at least one of the following Microsoft exams with a minimum score of 700:

Exam 70-228 - Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-229 - Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-431 - TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance (save on this exam with Partner Skills Plus Certification Exam Savings)
Exam 70-445 - TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence - Implementation and Maintenance
Exam 70-446 - PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Customer References

Submit at least three customer references that showcase your business-intelligence services, reporting, tools and application solutions using SQL Server technology.

General Guidelines for Customer References

Each customer reference must feature a project that you have completed within the last 12 months.
Each reference will be verified with your customer. Upon approval, the reference will be valid up to one year after your programme anniversary.
For more information about submitting customer references and to preview the reference profile questions, download the Earning a Competency Guide.

For more in depth information please go to:

Partner Learning Centre Training

Hayley — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:08:33 GMT

All, I have been hunting around and there are lots of places to locate some additional readiness training on all Microsoft software. Please you your Partner Programme login's to access the Partner Learning Centre.

Have a look at the academy stuff, also available offline…

You can access all On-Demand recorded sessions and upcoming Partner Academy Live sessions through the PLC at the PLC Catalog.

Welcome to the New Partner Portal Home Page!

Hayley — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:57:37 GMT

The Partner Programme Team, have been working on increasing the number of resources immediately visible to partners when they come to the MSPP homepage. With three graphics, a lead story, second story, and then drop-downs for resources, communications and downloads, plus the support section, we’ll be featuring 25 top news/resources off the home page, as opposed to the current 14. These items will all be refreshed on a regular basis.

The aim of the refresh is to make it easier for partners to find what you are looking for faster and easier.

There is also the launch of – The Partner Library – A section of the portal featuring a lead article from Gordon Frazer on how Microsoft is addressing partner challenges.

We hope you would agree that the new look is crisp, fresh and high-impact. We endeavour to make it easier and a better experience to visit the portal more frequently.

Please send feedback directly to the Partner Programme team.

Microsoft Partner Programme: KickStart

Hayley — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:49:11 GMT

The KickStart courses have been so popular with partners, we’ve scheduled even more dates to meet the demand. Make sure you get yourself signed up to avoid disappointment. Feedback from previous courses showed 100% of the attendees were satisfied:

“I could have done with this course 12-18 months ago when we first became a gold partner!” Alliance Systems, MBS Gold Partner.

“A very informative and worthwhile training event...I found it extremely useful, making over 5 pages of notes” MidlandHR, Certified Partner

The course covers the following:

· Using the Partner Portal

· Navigating the Partner Membership Centre

· Managing Your Competency Information

· Making the most of your Programme Benefits

· How to find Information more Easily

· Ask the Expert

Register using the Partner Learning Centre – course code 44WK018

www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/plc (to find the training course, keyword search for 44WK018)

Note: You must first sign in to the Partner Learning Centre using your Windows Live ID.

Intended Audience:

Key partner dedicated administrators within the business. Any other personnel who would like to be trained up on the tools and resources we offer on our partner portal. Open to all partners, but some sections will be specific to Certified and Gold partner tasks.

Training Dates for 2008:

~~10^th April @ TVP~~ Fully Booked

16^th April @ Manchester

17^th April @ Liverpool

29^th April @ TVP NEW DATE!

~~13^th May @ TVP~~ Fully Booked

12^th June @ TVP