UK SBSC

If you haven’t already done so, please reply to our Microsoft 2010 SMB Partner Insight online survey as we will be using the results to help promote the SBSC brand through integrated marketing and media relations. The deadline for responses has been extended to Feb

The deadline for responses has been extended until Feb 5 so please reply if you have a few mins: http://rap6.tns-online.com/rapsurvey/presurvey.asp?SID=916&Language=English

Few promos to promote this month, namely:

To be entered into a prize draw to win an Xbox 360, complete this survey telling us where you are in your Windows 7 internal deployment and whether you are planning to deploy Office 2010.

Microsoft recently migrated eOpen and MVLS to the new Volume Licensing Service Centre website (VLSC) in order to provide a convenient, online solution for customers and partners to easily manage their licensing agreements and Microsoft products. As a result of the initial upgrade, a number of Partners experienced some access and usability issues. We know this has been both inconvenient and frustrating in some cases and we appreciate your patience and assistance during this transition. To address many of the common questions and provide a review of the new features and procedures of the site, Microsoft's VLSC team is providing via Live Meeting in-depth training, including tips and tricks, on how to access and navigate the VLSC site so you can more easily access and manage the information you need to provide the best experience for your clients. Register here for these Live Meetings, which are scheduled for Feb 3. For additional resources, please visit the VLSC site on the Microsoft Partner Network.

If you haven’t already done so, please reply to our Microsoft 2010 SMB Partner Insight online survey as we will be using the results to help promote the SBSC brand through integrated marketing and media relations.

The deadline for responses has been extended until Feb 1 so please reply if you have a few mins: http://rap6.tns-online.com/rapsurvey/presurvey.asp?SID=916&Language=English

Westcoast in association with Microsoft and HP are running a series of nationwide events on hot topics such as Virtualisation and Unified Communications.

For information on the events, click here http://www.westcoast.co.uk/microsites/thehub/events/index.php

I’ve had a number of queries re: logos and the situation is as follows:

- Active Small Business Specialists can access their logo from the Logo Builder tool which exists within the Partner Portal. You can access that tool here – remember you need Live ID to sign in

- That logo will be the standard blue logo which has traditionally been available. Logo Builder is locked down because it ensures that only those who have qualified for it, can use the Small Business Specialist logo

- Remember that all active Small Business Specialists in summer 2010 will automatically qualify for the new Small Business competency. And there will be a new Microsoft Partner Network available from summer 2010 for you to start to use immediately

Here’s the latest in terms of SBS 2008 and EBS training:

Windows Small Business Server 2008 – On-boarding Webinar

This three part web seminar will help students  plan and implement Windows Small Business Server 2008. Students gain first-hand knowledge on topics such as installing, migrating, monitoring, securing, and backing-up data.

Part1 | Part2 | Part3

Windows EBS 2008 Exam Cram

This exam groundwork session will guide you in your preparation for the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist exam 70-654, Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring. No matter if you are building on existing certifications or going for the first time, this session will provide clarity to help you succeed. Learn about the exam scope and what it means, get the right point of view, as well as the strategy and knowledge required to pass this exam.

Part 1 Click Here | Part 2 Click Here

Get More Out of Exchange Server 2007 with Windows Essential Business Server 2008

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is an enterprise-class server solution designed and priced for midsize businesses. For those customers who are considering an upgrade to Exchange Server 2007, EBS 2008 represents an ideal way to provide the benefits of Exchange as part of an integrated solution built on Windows Server 2008. Join us to learn more about the great productivity enhancements available in Exchange Server 2007 and how EBS 2008 solves the messaging, management, and security needs for midsize businesses. Click Here

If your Small Business Specialist status is showing as 'active not compliant', please check that you have met all of the requirements of becoming and remaining a Small Business Specialist. While there have been no changes to these requirements, some assessments, including the Small Business Sales and Marketing Skills Assessment, must be renewed once every two years. If you're a Registered partner, remember your annual Action Pack or Empower subscription may need to be renewed. If your status is showing as 'active not compliant' and you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact Dell Quinn or our Regional Service Centre via: 0800 91 73 128.

Or for further guidance on how to navigate the Partner Membership Centre to change your status from Active Not Compliant to Active (especially if you need to undertake your Sales and Marketing Assessment), see here for some excellent guidance from Andy Parkes.

Please note that you do not need to take any action if your status is showing as 'active'.

We’re aware of issues relating to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)  and I apologize for any inconvenience caused to date.

For the latest, I highly recommend Eric Ligman’s blog and this posting.

HP and Microsoft Corp. today announced a three-year agreement to invest $250 million to significantly simplify technology environments for businesses of all sizes.

Full detail from the press release.

If you have a few minutes, please complete the Microsoft 2010 SMB Partner Insight online survey as the results will help us showcase the Small Business Specialist Community as experts in the use of IT to save costs and improve productivity amid a down economy.  Microsoft values your participation and honest feedback and will be using the results of the survey to help promote the Small Business Specialist Community brand through integrated marketing and media relations such as press releases and direct press engagement. Please respond by Friday, January 22 2010.

Register for Ask Microsoft Live Meeting

Do you have a question about your partnership with Microsoft, the Microsoft Partner Network or how to find information via the Partner Portal? If so, we're starting a series of Ask Microsoft Live Meetings where UK Registered and Small Business Specialist partners can ask questions and receive immediate assistance from Partner Network Manager, Dell Quinn. Register for the first Ask Microsoft Live Meeting taking place 12 February from 12pm-1pm (GMT).

Check out all the latest Microsoft news and keynotes from CES including the touch PC announcement here.