UK SBSC : General

Remember the SMB Insights Survey you participated in?

UK SBSC — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:43:56 GMT

Remember the SMB Insights Survey you participated in back in February? Well, we do apologise for the delay in sharing this with you but are now pleased to be able to show where/ how the insight was used.

On 25th March Microsoft published a press release entitled Microsoft Study Shows SMBs Using Technology to Cut Costs, Grow Business. Click here to read the press release. Following this press release a number of UK press channels followed up and wrote articles. Here’s a list of some of the ones we had visibility of:

Here are some interested snippets from the findings:

“Based on a five-country survey of more than 600 Microsoft Small Business Specialists, Microsoft found that the major concerns driving SMB technology investments are declining revenue, competition from larger businesses and general economic difficulties. In response, many SMBs are focusing on IT investments that directly benefit their bottom line — either by reducing operating costs, improving employee productivity, or acquiring and retaining customers.”…

…“The “Microsoft SMB Insight Report” reflects the insight of Small Business Specialists from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Brazil. The following are some of Microsoft’s key findings on the technologies most likely to drive growth and profitability for SMBs in 2009:

Fifty percent of the surveyed Small Business Specialists identified virtualization or IT consolidation through a small or midsize server as the technology most likely to reduce operating costs.

The Small Business Specialists expect a 20 percentage point increase this year in the number of SMBs that use software as a service.

More than 50 percent of the Small Business Specialists considered customer relationship management (CRM), virtualization or IT consolidation through a small or midsize server as the best investment for maximizing business growth in a down economy.

Nearly 40 percent expect an increased interest in business intelligence and identified it as a critical tool for helping improve a customer’s experience and increase loyalty.

More than half of the surveyed Small Business Specialists anticipate an increase in the number of SMB remote workers, and nearly 60 percent expect that the shift to more remote workers also will lead to bigger roles and more responsibilities for those individuals working remotely.”…

…“Microsoft offers a broad range of business solutions to help small and midsize businesses (SMBs) maximize productivity and expand business capabilities. Microsoft’s partner program includes more than 640,000 local technology experts, including nearly 20,000 Small Business Specialists. Microsoft also provides a variety of financing, flexible licensing programs and other resources to help SMBs grow their businesses and respond to changes in the market.

More information on Microsoft Small Business Specialists and other SMB resources is available at the Microsoft Small Business Center at http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness.”

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those SBSC partners in the UK who took the survey and shared their feedback. We found it a very useful exercise that has shared insight but also promoted the Small Business Specialist partner channel.

Microsoft catches dirty dozen in channel crackdown - 27 Apr 2009 - CRN

UK SBSC — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:43:50 GMT

Thought this post, taken from CRN, might be of interest...

Microsoft catches dirty dozen in channel crackdown

Software giant says growing practice of hard-disk loading is hurting the channel as another 12 resellers are caught out

Written by Kayleigh Bateman

CRN, 27 Apr 2009

Microsoft has discovered 12 more resellers selling illegal software across the UK – five of which are based in Manchester.

The software giant reached settlements with the resellers, which all admitted to hard-disk loading and selling software illegally.

These included Manchester-based 1Hr Computers, Computer Warehouse, Intellect Computers, Annecto Computers and Charisma Computers, plus Berwickshire-based Boss Systems, Comp-u-Tel, Thatcham, and ICN Computers.

Microsoft also came to agreements with Cheshire-based Hi-Tec, Shropshire-based Swift Computers, Nottingham-based PWRTech and Leicester-based Unique Computers (UK).

Scott Dodds, general manager of small, medium enterprises and partners group at Microsoft UK, said: “Historically, many in the channel have seen piracy as a relatively low priority – an irritation that could be ignored or put up with as long as business was good.

“However, at a time when the Federation of Small Businesses claims 120 businesses a day are going bust, Microsoft is working hard to stamp out unfair competition that puts pressure on resellers’ margins, and also threatens to drive them out of business.”

Dodds said that because 80 per cent of Microsoft’s registered partners are small businesses, with fewer than 10 employees, the company is intensifying its efforts to tackle illegal traders and to raise awareness of piracy as a genuinely serious threat to the channel.

“Most resellers cannot afford to live with even small losses to illegal traders, which will almost certainly be undercutting them,” he added.

A representative for 1Hr Computers, said: “We recognise that we were not installing Microsoft software correctly, and that is something we take seriously.

“We will be working with Microsoft over the next few weeks to make sure what we do falls within their software rules from now on. It is good to see Microsof t working with small computer traders like us to ensure we are up to speed on the right way to use and sell their software.”

Since the start of this year Microsoft says it has taken action against 92 hard-disk loaders and believes many resellers still underestimate the scale of the problem.

Graham Arthur, anti-piracy attorney at Microsoft UK, concluded: “Everyone in the channel, from distributors down to local computer shops, needs to move piracy up their agenda.

“If partners see suspicious buying patterns, or 'too good to be true' prices, they should tell us and we will act swiftly and decisively to defend the livelihoods of our reputable partners.”

Microsoft catches dirty dozen in channel crackdown - 27 Apr 2009 - CRN

Warning: New Office counterfeit heading to the UK

UK SBSC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:58:45 GMT

A new type of counterfeit found in Australia is expected to reach the UK soon. It copies the OEM Office 2007 Professional Medialess Licence Kits (MLKs) that use a plastic credit card with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached. You can tell it is fake because there is a volume licence key on the Certificate of Authenticity. View examples of these counterfeits.

For information and guidance around reporting piracy click here.

Microsoft's Gordon Frazer on BBC Bottom Line this weekend

UK SBSC — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:23:00 GMT

Gordon Frazer, Managing Direct of Microsoft UK, will be making an appearance on the BBC’s Bottom Line programme this weekend, on Radio 4, BBC News 24 and World News. Gordon will feature prominently in this half hour radio and TV programme hosted by Evan Davis.

Along with hedge fund expert Hugh Hendry of Eclectica Asset Management and branding specialist Jasmine Montgomery of FutureBrand, Gordon discusses the current financial crisis, the value of having a strong brands and of course Microsoft’s business – from the importance of Research and Development through to cloud computing, our business model, the competition, Windows 7 and the Netbook phenomenon.

You can catch the programme at the following times, it’ll also be online:

· Radio 4 – Saturday at 17:30 and the following Monday at 20:30

· BBC News 24 – Saturday at 21:30, Sunday at 02:30, 15:30, 21:30

· BBC World News – Saturday at 19:30 and 23:30, Sunday at 13:30 and Monday at 03:30

Small Business Blog from Microsoft : Keep the cash flowing - new small business guide

UK SBSC — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:11:17 GMT

Saw this post on the Small Business Blog from Microsoft which may be of interest to your small business customers or to you too...

Keep the cash flowing - new small business guide

Cash is king – a business mantra that is sometimes not understood until it’s too late. Without cash your company is vulnerable – as many businesses have discovered to their cost over the past six months or so. Prompt invoicing, meticulous tracking and chasing of payments due, measuring quotes against actual costs – these are just some of the steps you can take to improve your cashflow. We've produced a new guide on how to improve cash flow and cut costs, specifically for small businesses. You can either download if off the Small Business home page (Business Goals section), or grab it here. (It's only 272 KB, so it's not going to tie up your PC.)

Small Business Blog from Microsoft : Keep the cash flowing - new small business guide

Microsoft debuts quick fix clicks

UK SBSC — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:29:04 GMT

The BBC News posted any article today about Microsoft's quick fix clicks. Here's how they describe it...

Microsoft debuts quick fix clicks

Common Windows problems could soon be solved by clicking a "Fix It" button.

Microsoft has started putting the button on its web-based support pages that detail the most common problems hitting PC and Windows users.

Clicking the button kicks off a download that, once run, carries out the series of steps needed to fix a specific problem or remove a bug.

Microsoft also has plans to extend the click-to-fix system to help users recover from a crash.

The Fix It button now appears on about 100 support pages.

This all sounds very interesting... but the last comment is great:

"The best way to get help is to find someone that knows their way around computers,"

Cue: Microsoft certified Small Business Specialist partners!

BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft debuts quick fix clicks

Complete the Microsoft SBSC Survey

UK SBSC — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:11:58 GMT

Microsoft would like to invite you to participate in the Small Business Specialist Community online survey. This survey is designed to help 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 hopefully be able to use 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.

Microsoft has retained TNS, an independent research company, to conduct this survey in our behalf. To complete this survey, please either click on the URL below or cut and paste the entire survey link directly into your Internet browser:

http://rap4.tns-online.com/rapsurvey/presurvey.asp?SID=916

Please respond by Friday, February 6, 2009.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding this survey, please contact the TNS research manager at microsoftsbsc@tns-global.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

2009 Gearup is now available

UK SBSC — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:31:09 GMT

The latest version of the Microsoft sales toolkit is now available. This is your essential resource in business for driving Microsoft sales. The toolkit contains a wealth of information about all Microsoft software products, as well as advice on various licensing options available. Download the guide here.

Become a Citrix Partner

UK SBSC — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:00:32 GMT

Citrix have approached Microsoft as they are keen to engage with SBSC partners.As such, they would like to invite you to a Citrix Partner Accelerator event on the 10th February at the National Motorcycle museum, Birmingham. The purpose of the event is to bring you up to speed on the latest Citrix vision and strategy and give you the inside track on new Citrix and partner offerings that could help you stay competitive in 2009. Alongside this, Citrix is offering everyone who attends the Citrix Partner Accelerator event on 10 February the chance to win an awesome all-inclusive Grand Prix experience, including:

Two nights' accommodation for two at 4* Horwood House, a grand manor house set in 38 acres of landscaped grounds just 15 minutes from Silverstone.
Helicopter transfers to and from the race circuit.
Day membership of the exclusive F1 Paddock Club, including gourmet cuisine, fine champagnes, amazing views of the race start and finish, and guided pit lane walkabouts.

Here's a bit more about the event, in their own words...

Find out how your business could join the fast lane in 2009 by becoming a Citrix partner. It's an exciting time to be part of the Citrix Partner Network™: in the last year we launched new virtualisation solutions, expanded our partnerships with the world's top hardware and software vendors and added new incentives to channel programmes. At our Citrix Partner Accelerator event, you'll learn how these investments could help you develop your business - by offering your customers the most powerful and comprehensive value-added application delivery infrastructure solutions in the market.

Get up to speed with Citrix
We'll bring you up to speed with the latest Citrix vision and strategy and give you the inside track on new Citrix and partner offerings that could help you stay competitive in 2009.

Understand the latest developments within Citrix and in the wider market with keynote speeches from senior Citrix executives.

Learn how you can develop new business opportunities by working together with Citrix.

Experience the newest application delivery infrastructure solutions through demonstrations and proof of concepts in the technical sessions.

Connect with Citrix employees, Citrix Distributors and Citrix Alliance Partners who could transform the way you do business.

Focused Workshops for new resellers on developing your business with Citrix, plus a Citrix Access Essentials for Microsoft focused partners and a Citrix strategic sales workshop for those who want to learn more about the value proposition.

Register online today to guarantee your place.

Once you have registered on the website, you will be asked how they heard about the event and there is the option to select 'Microsoft communication'.

*Please note that the offer above is provided by a third-party partner and is not under the control of Microsoft. Accordingly Microsoft does not assume any responsibility or liability for the offer and is providing it solely as a convenience, and the inclusion of such content does not imply endorsement by Microsoft of the offer or of the third party advertiser. Individuals may be subject to additional and/or different terms, conditions, and privacy policies when using third party products, services, content, software, or sites.

Try Autotask Go! and Save £149

UK SBSC — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:49:09 GMT

We have been contacted by David Salzberg of Autotask as they have a special offer for UK SBSC Partners:

Capture more billable hours, eliminate redundant data entry, improve customer satisfaction. Autotask Go! helps run your IT business better – with the introduction of Autotask Go! in the UK, SBSC partners receive the SMB Edition at no charge – a savings of £149. Autotask Go! is perfect for Outsource IT Solution Providers with up to 3 users. The SMB Edition comes pre-configured with valuable templates designed by IT professionals for the SMB Community. Your database includes built-in automated workflows, pre-configured contracts, common service ticket templates, and more. www.autotask.co.uk/go and enter promo code UKSMB0109 on the order form before 31 March 2009.

How to write an SLA - SBSC Partner PR Coverage

UK SBSC — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:38:20 GMT

Back in December one of our SBSC partners had a piece of PR coverage in IT Expert magazine. IT Expert approached Microsoft in search of a small business partner for assistance with an article around Service Level Agreements. Mike Bryett of Bryett Enterprise Ltd kindly offered to be interviewed by IT Expert journalist Wendy Grossman about writing SLAs for smaller consultancies. Wendy has used some positive quotes from Mike around setting customer expectations and also referenced the Microsoft partner SLA template, which Mike himself uses.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like we managed to get a reference to the SBSC channel on this occasion, but hopefully this has been good PR for Mike and his business. There may be opportunity for a follow up piece this year so we will look to see if we can get SBSC mentioned in any future articles.

The coverage can be viewed online, here.

Subscribe to the UK SBSC Newsletter

UK SBSC — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:45:44 GMT

Our statistics show that there are a large number of SBSC partners out there who are not subscribing to the UK SBSC newsletter. Are you one of them? You have to opt in to receive it so sign up now. Simply click here to sign up.

The SBSC Newsletter provides a great overview of news that matters most to Small Business Specialists and their customers. With short snippets and links about the latest in Support, Training & Events and Offers, the SBSC Newsletter provides a holistic monthly summary of news.What's more it's free to all UK SBSC partners!

Over the past few months we have been reviewing the content and taking on board your feedback to ensure the newsletter better meets the needs of SBSC partners. As such we've restructured the format of the newsletter, amending as well as adding new sections such as Hot Topics, Licensing Update, Community Activity, Partner Resources and Promotions and Offers. Community Activity is one section that we are most pleased to see included as it's a great opportunity to highlight the SBSC user groups, with a new group "in the spotlight" each month, as well as update you on community driven SBSC activity across the UK.

Alongside all of the above, this month the newsletter has a whole new look and feel, which is all part of our efforts to ensure we are really tailoring it to meet your needs. Let us know what you think: sbscuk@microsoft.com.

You have spoken... we are listening: First 6 Month Review of the SBSC in the UK

UK SBSC — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:26:27 GMT

You have spoken...

We are listening...

As we enter a new calendar year, and approach a midyear check point in Microsoft’s financial year, now is as good a time as any to reflect on the Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) and what we have achieved in 2008.

Over the past 6 months SBSC partners have been very open with Microsoft - sharing their thoughts, issues, concerns and recommendations around the SBSC programme. In response to this valid feedback, Microsoft has listened and worked to address many of these areas.

This blog post aims to outline the main issues that you collectively raised in 2008 and demonstrates how Microsoft has responded. If you should have any queries around any of the items below, or would like more information please email sbscuk@microsoft.com.

SBSC Partners stated a variety of different expectations they have of Microsoft in relation to the SBSC programme.
Through the medium of the SBSC User group tour Microsoft responded with a clear set of expectations on what Microsoft can and cannot deliver on this fiscal year (July 2008 – June 2009). If you were not able to attend this session or have not received a copy of the slides please email sbscuk@microsoft.com for further details.

SBSC Partners requested Microsoft keep them up to date on product, licensing, partner programme news etc.
In response to these requests Microsoft has:

Created a Partner Programme RSS Feed for all partners to subscribe with the ability to select which areas are most relevant to them and their business. To learn more, go here.
Created an independent SBSC blog / RSS feed. The UK Partner Programme RSS Hub will link to the SBSC blog as this is a forum in which we can provide more details. To access the SBSC blog go here.
Conducted a review of the SBSC monthly newsletter and made steps to adjust the style, format and content to better meet the needs of the UK SBSC partner channel.
Committed to updating UK SBSC partners will all relevant Microsoft related information as they are empowered to do so through the use of the RSS feed, SBSC blog and SBSC newsletter.

SBSC Partners requested Microsoft do more to promote the SBSC blue badge out to end customers and to drive better awareness for the SBSC brand
Microsoft has already:

Included the SBSC logo on every page of all of our latest Small Business customer collateral, including the new Windows Essential Server Solutions brochures (available mid January 2009) and the Small Business Brochure
Promoted the SBSC in relevant PR communications – e.g. SMB supplement that went out to 203K subscribers for big name magazine publications like Vista Magazine, .NET magazine, What Laptop? Magazine etc, plus promotion a “small business challenges” website. Go here for more information.
Provided SBSC partners with guidance on how they can assist Microsoft in driving the SBSC brand through publicity. Go here for details.
Promoted SBSC through the “Ask the Experts” pages on Microsoft customer communication engines, reaching 800K small business customer contacts. Go here for more information.
Promoted SBSC on the Small Business customer facing blog.
Promoted the SBSC through the new Small Business News Feed. Go here for more information.

As we enter 2009, Microsoft is currently working on:

Creating data sheets to use at customer events to raise awareness of SBSC partners and how to find one – ready mid-January 2009.
Creating data sheet templates for partners to add their own contact details and print locally to promote themselves as SBSC partner – ready mid-January 2009.
Updating the customer facing web page which describes what an SBSC partner is, why they should consider using an SBSC partner and how they find one – ready mid-January 2009.
Putting together guidance on how best to promote yourself as members of the SBSC – available in early 2009

SBSC Partners requested that they be included in the Small Business Server 2008 launch and partner readiness plans.
Microsoft embarked on an SBSC user group tour to deliver SBS 2008 readiness. The decision was taken to cancel any large launch event and instead ensure we were reaching all the SBSC partners instead.
Microsoft heavily subsidised some SBS 2008 technical training courses which were offered out to SBSC partners first (via the SBSC blog).
Microsoft is looking at how we can launch SBS 2008 out to customers and also involve our SBSC partner channel. Further details on plans and progress will be shared over the coming months.

SBSC Partners requested assistance with Marketing, in particular a marketing 101 session
Microsoft enlisted the help of ResourceiT, a company who specialist in helping businesses with the development of marketing strategies and plans to help you grow your business. The feedback we received from these sessions was incredible, with more partners requesting more of the same. As a result of their attendance at the SBSC user group tour we are delighted to hear that over 17 SBSC partners have already inquired further about ResourceiT’s services and actively looking to address their marketing opportunities.
Microsoft is providing partners with marketing tips and guidance as appropriate on the SBSC blog. Go here for more information.

SBSC Partners requested help in driving awareness of the SBSC User group and helping attract new members to the groups.
Microsoft used the launch of SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 as a means to help double the group attendance and attract new members.
Microsoft actively promotes the SBSC user groups on the SBSC Blog and in the SBSC monthly newsletter, actively highlighting one user group in each month’s newsletter edition.
Microsoft has assisted the set up of three new SBSC user groups.

As you can see, together we can make changes for the better. Here's to continuing to work together in 2009!

Happy New Year!

UK SBSC — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:18:26 GMT

To all of Microsoft UK's SBSC partners and their families... we wish you a very happy and prosperous 2009.

Seasons Greeting to all of our SBSC Partners!

UK SBSC — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:15:37 GMT

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!