The US Partner Learning Blog

Launching: Business Ready Security Sweepstakes through December 11, 2009

PartnerTraining — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:31:54 GMT

As businesses look to drive growth, they need to increase collaboration, sharing and access to information but must do so while protecting their assets and infrastructure. Help your customers build the secure infrastructure they need to build their businesses – begin or expand your security education with the Business Ready Security Sweepstakes.

Enter now by registering for and attending any of the qualifying courses listed below. You will receive one (1) entry per course you register for and attend.

Business Ready Security Solution Series #1: Secure Endpoint

Business Ready Security Solution Series #2: Identity & Access Management

Business Ready Security Solution Series #3: Secure Messaging

Business Ready Security Solution Series #4: Secure Collaboration

Business Ready Security Solution Series #6: Securing Your Data

To learn more about Forefront Security, check out our Forefront page on the Microsoft Partner Network site.

Enjoy!

The Partner Training Team

*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 December 11, 2009. For full rules, please click here

How Has the Learning Curve Helped You?

PartnerTraining — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:35:43 GMT

Share your story in the comments below or on Twitter and you could win a Dell Netbook. Look for details in your Learning Curve newsletter on Monday.

Free Friday: On-demand eLearning for MS US Partners

PartnerTraining — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:54 GMT

Free Friday is back! Here are some great courses for you to get trained for free, and at the convenience of your schedule.

Featured Training for Microsoft Partners

· Why Windows Server 2008 R2 should be your and your customer's platform of choice

· Windows 7 Volume Licensing Overview

· Windows Azure Platform - Launch Update

· Introduction to Microsoft's Voice Strategy

· Business Ready Security Solution Series 1: Secure Endpoint

Enjoy – and have a great weekend!

The Partner Training Team

Licensing Solutions Exam Discounts

PartnerTraining — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:09:44 GMT

Interested in taking your organizations licensing skills to the next level? Here’s an opportunity to help you on your path to passing Licensing Solutions exams:

MCP Exam Voucher Offer: Save Fifty Percent

Your organization can receive up to two vouchers for a 50 percent savings on the regular MCP exam fee, when you register for one of the following MCP exams at a Prometrics testing center before December 31, 2009:

Exam 70-671 : Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Small and Medium Organizations
Exam 70-672 : Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations

Encourage your sales staff to take these MCP exams—and earn the only MCP credential designed specifically for sales professionals. Learn about the value of becoming an MCP for designing and providing Volume Licensing solutions.

Bonus Offer: Complimentary Exam Voucher

The first 500 Microsoft partners to meet the following two criteria will receive one exam voucher for a 100 percent savings on the regular exam fee (limit one per organization):

1. One individual in your organization has passed MCP exam 70-671 or 70-672.

2. Your organization has a minimum of three approved and active references* in the License Delivery specialization prior to requesting the free voucher. If a reference will expire before this time, you can submit a new one. View the customer reference guidelines.

The Latest Microsoft Licensing Training for Partners

PartnerTraining — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:14:52 GMT

Here are some courses to help you through selling via licensing:

If you’re just starting to dip your toes into the licensing process, there’s some great background/getting started information as a resource to you on the Microsoft Partner Network site. If you’re already familiar with the basics, you might consider acquiring the Licensing Solutions competency.

Do you have any specific questions about licensing? If so, leave a comment below or give us a shout on Twitter, and we’ll get you connected to people who can help you out!

Enjoy,

The Partner Training Team

October Partner Favorites: Training Picked by Partners

PartnerTraining — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:59:35 GMT

Here are the training and readiness courses that were most popular with Microsoft US partners in October.

Partnercasts

1. The Business Value of Windows 7

2. Partner Launch Opportunities: Win 7, WS 2008 R2, & Exchange 2010

3. Introducing Windows 7 Series 1/5-Benefits

Labcasts

1. Windows 7 Partner Technical Training for Small & Medium Business

2. Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Ignite

3. Configuring and Supporting the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack

Web Seminars

1. Windows 7 - Networking

2. Windows 7 Professional in Small and Medium Sized Businesses

3. Volume Licensing Fundamentals-Introduction to Microsoft Licensing

Learning Packages

1. Windows 7 Technical Training

2. Windows 7 Demos

3. Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7: Better Together

Launch Wave

1. Windows 7 - Manageability

2. Windows Server 2008 R2: New Imaging, Deployment and Migration Tools

3. Business Value of selling and implementing Windows 7 and IE 8

Have you taken any of these courses? Reminder: some of them are associated with our promos, so if you attend, you could be entered to win something great!

Enjoy,

The Partner Training Team

Launching: DevDrive Sweepstakes – Training for Developers

PartnerTraining — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:59:29 GMT

Developers – this one’s for you! We’re excited today to launch our DevDrive Sweepstakes.

DevDrive Training Promotion for Developers

For every course you register and attend from our DevDrive developer training list below, you’ll receive an entry into a drawing for one of these great prizes:

· A trip to the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, including a 3-night hotel stay, airfare for 2 and a 4-day car rental

· One of 20 Sirius | XM Plus satellite radio packages

Here are the eligible courses:

How-To-Guides: Application Compatibility for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: Known Causes of Incompatibility (18 modules)
Application Compatibility: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Series (5 modules)
Everything You Need to Know About Azure as a Developer (18 modules)
A First Look at Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0 (5 modules)
SQL Server 2008 R2 Series (8 modules)
Windows 7 New Features for Managed Code Developers (11 modules)

Remember: each module you attend earns 1 entry to the promo, so soak up the learning and the entries as often as you can between now and December 31, 2009. You can read the full rules here.

Enjoy!

The Partner Training Team

Free Friday Part 2: Brand New Windows 7 Demos for SMB

PartnerTraining — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:50:32 GMT

We just received these new demos for Windows 7 – be sure and check them out if you’re serving the SMB space.

Demo: Windows 7 Small and Midsize Business Part 1 - Get More Done Demo

Demo: Windows 7 Small and Midsize Business Part 2 - Safeguard Your Work Demo

Demo: Windows 7 Small and Midsize Business Part 3- Works the Way You Want Demo

What other sales tools are you using when you’re talking with customers? We’d love to hear what’s helpful to you.

Enjoy,

The Partner Training Team

Free Friday: Can’t Make It To PDC? Still Need Azure Updates?

PartnerTraining — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:20 GMT

If you’re unable to make it to PDC but still want all the news that comes out of the conference, this is a great webcast to attend. Be sure and mark your calendars now:

CSD14PAL: Windows Azure Platform - Launch Update

Presented by: Stephanie Selin

Date:12/2/2009

Webcast Start Time: 8:00 AM (Pacific)

Click here to calculate your local time

Register now!

http://microsoftpdc.com

Don't miss out on the latest news coming from PDC, and join us for this Launch webcast. You’ll receive a summary review of all launch announcements, updates on the Windows Azure business model, licensing and pricing, and of course share learn more about how to get ready to build and sell with Windows Azure.

Enjoy!

The Learning Curve Vital Few: Exchange 2010, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Sales & Marketing

PartnerTraining — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:50:06 GMT

Did you catch the Learning Curve newsletter this morning? If not, make sure you check your inbox if you’re a Microsoft Partner in the US – if you fit the bill but aren’t receiving it, make sure you update your communication preferences and have associated your e-mail address to your partner organization. We talked about how to do all these things here. Here are your Vital Few from this edition – the must-take courses around launch (yay!): Exchange 2010, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Sales & Marketing.

Also, we asked for your feedback in the Learning Curve: What are you hearing from customers around Windows 7? What opportunity do you see with the product? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we’re listening!

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

Be entered to win a Dell Inspiron 1011 netbook when attending an Exchange Server 2010 Ignite training workshop in a city near you.

Featured Training
Partnercast: Partner Launch Opportunities -- Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Exchange Server 2010 (Sales, 11 minutes)
Partnercast: Exchange 2010 Unified Messaging (Sales, 13 minutes)
Microsoft Unified Communications Sales Training Featuring Exchange Server 2010 (Sales, 1 hour)
Configuring Exchange Server 2010 Unified Messaging Virtual Lab (Technical, 1.5 hours)
Transitioning from Exchange Server 2007 to Exchange Server 2010 (Beta) Virtual Lab (Technical, 3 hours)

See our course listings for additional Exchange Server 2010 training.

Windows 7

Receive a free voucher good toward Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring or Exam 70-685: Pro: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician when you attend the Windows 7 Deployment Workshop.

Featured Training
Partnercast: The Business Value of Windows 7 (Sales, 16 minutes)
Partnercast: Partner Launch Opportunities -- Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Exchange Server 2010 (Sales, 11 minutes)
MSdev.com: Application Compatibility -- General Session (Sales, 1 hour)
MSdev.com: Application Compatibility -- Business Marketing Message (Sales, 1 hour)
MSdev.com: The Front-Runner Program (Sales, 1 hour)
MSdev.com: Logo Certification (Sales, 1 hour)
What’s New in MDOP (Sales, 1 hour)
Windows 7 Professional and Windows XP Mode for Partners (Sales, 1 hour)
Windows 7 Partner Sales Training for Small & Midsize Businesses (Sales, 1 hour)

See our course listings for additional Windows 7 training.

Windows Server 2008 R2

Featured Training
Windows Server 2008 R2: Sales Essentials (Sales, 1 hour)
Selling Windows Server 2008 R2 (Sales, 1 hour)
Cross-Selling Windows Server 2008 R2 (Sales, 1 hour)
Why Windows Server 2008 R2 Should Be Your and Your Customers’ Platform of Choice (Sales, 1 hour)
Windows Server 2008 R2 -- Better Together with Windows 7 Achieving a Larger ROI (Sales, 1 hour)
Windows Server 2008 R2: New Imaging, Deployment, and Migration Tools (Technical, 1 hour)

See our course listings for additional Windows Server 2008 R2 training.

Business Readiness: Sales & Marketing

Featured Training
Let’s Do Launch: Better Yet, Let’s Make It a Power Launch (Sales, 1 hour)
Launch and Learn: A Guide to Making Your Online Launch Event a Success (Sales, 1 hour)
How to Create a Lead Generation Campaign that Gets Results (Sales, 1 hour)

See our course listings for additional Business Readiness sales training and Business Readiness marketing training.

Enjoy – The Partner Training Team

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Free Friday: The Ultimate Sales Guide to Microsoft Virtualization

PartnerTraining — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:26:13 GMT

Interested in virtualization? Not quite sure how to relay the value of Microsoft Virtualization solutions to your customers? This series will help, and it’s 100% FREE to you!

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 1 - The Basics

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 2A - Server Virtualization Solutions

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 2B - Desktop Virtualization Solutions

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 2C - Management Solutions (including virtualization)

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 3 - Microsoft Virtualization Licensing

Partnercast: Ultimate Sales Guide to MS Virtualization Part 4 - Microsoft Virtualization Competition

On another note, we found a really neat tool to help convey the cost-savings to your customers: the Microsoft vs. VMWare Virtualization Cost Comparison Calculator. This is one of the most telling stories to use when customers ask “Why Microsoft?”

Last but not least, make sure you check out our recently-released Virtualization Solutions Competency. The requirements to attain this competency are as follows: You can choose either the Server Virtualization path, or the Desktop Virtualization path -

Server Virtualization

Virtualization Solutions competency partners must employ or contract with at least two people who have each passed at least one of these advanced server certifications:

Microsoft Certified IT Professional Enterprise Administrator
Microsoft Certified IT Professional Server Administrator
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows Server 2003

In addition, each of the qualifying professionals must pass both of these exams:

Exam 70-652 Technology Specialist (TS): Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring
Exam 70-403 TS: System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuring

Desktop Virtualization

Your organization must employ two individuals who have each passed both of the desktop exams listed here:

Exam 70-656: TS: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Configuring
Exam 70-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring

Reference Requirements

Submit at least three customer references that showcase your virtualization technology solutions. Each customer reference must be:

A previously deployed solution that focuses on the sales, implementation, and deployment of a Microsoft virtualization solution (server or desktop). Also, you should highlight in the reference submission whether the project included Solution Accelerators.
A project that you have completed for a customer within the past 12 months.

Do you have any questions about Virtualization? Have you deployed many virtualized environments for your customers? How has the experience been?

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Top 7 Windows 7 Resources for Microsoft Partners

PartnerTraining — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:33:01 GMT

We can’t believe that the launch of Windows 7 is finally here. We’ve been counting down for some time now and have had several discussions about the resources available to you to prepare for the release of the product. Now that the product has officially launched, let’s revisit that topic. Here are the top 7 resources you need to take advantage of NOW. These will help you grow your business. These will help you deploy Windows 7 and all other complementary products.

1. Windows 7 Sales Training: Now that we’re launched, these resources will help you target customers, generate leads, and sell (plus you could win a $500 REI gift card or a Vail vacation for 2 with our Winter Sales Summit Sweepstakes)

2. Windows 7 In-person Learning Opportunities

Windows 7 Loadfests (hurry and register – this series is ending shortly)
Windows 7 Deployment Workshops

3. Windows 7 Sales Advisor from Gear Up: Outlines of the product – what’s in it for you and your customers? What are the top 3 things to know about Windows 7? Who are primary customer targets? How do you license it?

4. Quick, on-the-go Windows 7 learning from our Microsoft Partnercast site:

5. Windows 7 Demos: product introductions, implementing user account control, BitLocker and AppLocker, the desktop experience, home networking, the troubleshooting platform, and using the deployment image servicing and management tool

6. Windows 7 Exams & Certification

7. Windows 7 Information for Partners from the Microsoft Partner Network site, and acquiring the Windows Desktop Deployment Specialization

Have you encountered any other great partner resources around Windows 7? We’d love to hear – please share in the comments below.

Happy Launch Day!

The Partner Training Team

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Career Campaign: Certification Exam Offer

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Managed Services Providers – Headed to MSP World?

PartnerTraining — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:54:35 GMT

Here’s a quick heads-up about a great event coming up – if you’re a Managed Services provider, don’t miss this gathering. As a Microsoft Partner, you’re eligible for a discount on your conference pass. Attend MSPWorld Las Vegas, the world’s premier managed services networking and education event. Receive 50% off your delegate (normally $95) pass by entering “Microsoft” in the promo code field. To learn more and register to attend click here.

The event will run from November 12 – November 13 at the Ventian. You can also follow the latest and greatest on Twitter.

Announcing: Winter Sales Summit Sweepstakes through 12/19/09

PartnerTraining — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:31:58 GMT

We’re excited about this new opportunity for you to expand your skills, and of course be entered to win some exciting prizes. The Winter Sales Summit Sweepstakes is a comprehensive sales training opportunity – all courses will help you understand the value proposition of Microsoft products, how our product stack can help your customers be more successful, how to overcome objections, and ultimately sell more!

View eligible sales courses by topic:

Business Intelligence

Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)

Exchange Server 2010

General Sales & Marketing

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Windows Azure Services

Windows Essential Server Solutions

Windows Server 2008 R2

The coolest part of the sweepstakes? 10 lucky winners will win a $500 REI gift card, and 1 lucky winner will win a 4-night Vail ski trip for 2. Get started now.

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Free Friday: Exchange Server 2010 Overview

PartnerTraining — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:43:22 GMT

Have you treated yourself to one of our Free Friday courses yet? This week’s is a quick, online sales tutorial designed to give you a general understanding of Exchange Server 2010’s benefits and how to successfully sell and market it to your customers. Exchange 2010 is the cornerstone of the Unified Communications platform, so encourage your team to get familiar with it as you build and strengthen your UC practice. Register here.

If you’re looking for a technical deep-dive into this launch product, we recommend attending one of the Exchange 2010 Ignite workshops in a city near you.

Have a great weekend!

The Partner Learning Team

The US Partner Learning Blog

Launching: Business Ready Security Sweepstakes through December 11, 2009

How Has the Learning Curve Helped You?

Free Friday: On-demand eLearning for MS US Partners

Licensing Solutions Exam Discounts

The Latest Microsoft Licensing Training for Partners

October Partner Favorites: Training Picked by Partners

Launching: DevDrive Sweepstakes – Training for Developers

Free Friday Part 2: Brand New Windows 7 Demos for SMB

Free Friday: Can’t Make It To PDC? Still Need Azure Updates?

The Learning Curve Vital Few: Exchange 2010, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Sales & Marketing

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Free Friday: Exchange Server 2010 Overview