Features

RCP Reader Survey: Cautiously Optimistic

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

In our annual RCP reader survey, the channel community is slightly upbeat about the changes coming in the Microsoft Partner Network, but unsure about what lies ahead.

4 Smart Pricing Strategies for 2010

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

With customer expectations reset, businesses find themselves in uncharted territory as the economy improves. We canvassed experts for advice on setting your own pricing before the market sets it for you.

Microsoft and HP: Eyeing Their Next Move

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Now that Oracle has completed its Sun acquisition, HP and Microsoft renew their alliance. Partners are watching to see if and where they fit in the great game among the giant IT vendors.

A Virtual Door Opens for SMBs

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's maturing virtualization stack offers opportunities for partners with customers of all sizes, including the "S" in SMB.

Notebook Nation

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Laptops and netbooks aren't just for road warriors anymore. Here's a look at just how big the portable-computer market is -- and the trends that are driving its growth.

Microsoft's 2010 Product Roadmap

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Redmond will be releasing an arsenal of new enterprise technologies this year including upgrades of Office, SharePoint, SQL Server, Dynamics and more.

Preparing for the Multi-Platform Mobile Opportunity

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Smartphones will grow exponentially in the coming years. If you're betting on one mobile platform, you may want to rethink that strategy.

Marching Orders 2010

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Are we continuing in a recession or coming out of one? No one can be sure. In our fourth annual Marching Orders feature, RCP's experts offer advice to put your company in good stead either way.

Partners on Health Care: Mixed Prognosis

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

For many channel partners, government action on health care is producing both anxiety and opportunity.

Microsoft's Private Cloud Formation

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:11:08 GMT

As CIOs largely reject the early crop of cloud services for business-critical apps, Redmond readies private and hybrid cloud platforms.

Microsoft, Partners Fumbling Toward Community

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

As part of the recent overhaul of its partner program, Microsoft made a big bet on leveraging existing social networks.

2009: Good Riddance

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

It is customary to end a year by reflecting on positive moments. But by nearly all measures, 2009 was one of the worst business years on record since the Great Depression.

Survey Says: Partners Matter to IT Pros

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

More than 2,300 customers responded to a Microsoft-sponsored survey identifying what solution provider characteristics matter most to them, and how and why they choose a partner.

Q&A: Microsoft Distinguished Engineer Yousef Khalidi Discusses Private Cloud Migration

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:53:15 GMT

Yousef Khalidi talked about Microsoft's new Azure cloud services at the Interop trade show on Thursday.

Racking up Online Deals

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

For Pelagic Solutions Inc., launching a business atop Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online leads to 78 deals in a year.

5 Questions About the MSP Market

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The essential questions partners have about the managed services market have some surprising answers. The upshot? It may still be a good time to become an MSP.

Passing the IT Torch

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Some of the IT industry's top innovators are within striking distance of retirement age. Here's a look at what that means for them, their companies and the channel.

Managing the H1N1 Crisis

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:48:07 GMT

For partners, part of swine flu readiness is being able to provide best-in-class advice for customers.

Getting Ready for Windows 7

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Windows 7 launches this month, giving partners -- and Microsoft -- a subtle chance at a revenue boost. Partner-readiness resources abound.

Making a Cloud Play

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Wayne Beekman is maneuvering his business to catch the cloud. Should you be doing that too?

Making the Most of BPOS

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Chicago-based PointBridge sprinted out of the gate with the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite -- to the tune of $640,000 in revenues in one year. Co-founder Todd Golden tells RCP how PointBridge did it.

Giving Customers What They Want

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Partners who understand what customers are looking for (hint: not just low prices) are better equipped to find and keep them.

From the MSPP to the MPN

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Partners have 16 months to make the transition from the 6-year-old Microsoft Partner Program structure to the framework of the new Microsoft Partner Network.

The Allure of Azure

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With a competitive pricing model established and different licensing options on the table, partners are starting to see how Microsoft's cloud-computing offering can drive new business.

Can Dev Camps Give Windows Mobile A Boost?

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:33:03 GMT

Inaugural event in Redmond hopes to engage developers of mobile applications.

Picking a Partner

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Microsoft makes the software, but channel partners sell and service it. Picking the right partner is critical for any Microsoft customer. Here's how to make the right choice.

Excuses to Tweet at Work

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Even companies without a clear strategy for using micro-blogging to their advantage must monitor the ongoing "naked conversation" for complaining customers.

The Microsoft Partner Awards

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With its choices of categories and countries from which winners come for its annual partner recognitions, Microsoft reveals its priorities and ambitions.

2009 RCP Salary Survey: Salaries in a Year of Recession

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

At a time of economic turmoil, RCP's third annual salary survey shows base pay for Microsoft partners is slightly higher than in 2008. But there are cracks around the foundation, as raises and bonuses will be harder to come by in the coming year.

Whither the PAM?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:15:32 GMT

Cloud computing, the economy and partner program changes make the future role of Microsoft partner account managers uncertain.

Microsoft's New Deal

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

An overhaul of the Microsoft Partner Program is set to be unveiled at the Worldwide Partner Conference this month. The details are murky but "everything is on the table," including the program name--now the "Microsoft Partner Network."

Spotlight on the Netbook

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

While netbooks pose problems for Microsoft and partner business models, most indications show this computing trend is here to stay.

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: The RCP Track

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Redmond Channel Partner magazine identifies 13 must-see sessions at the upcoming Microsoft WPC in New Orleans.

Finding a Virtual Solution in Its Own Backyard

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Web hosting specialist and Microsoft shop MaximumASP went looking for a virtualization solution. After evaluating the field, the Gold Certified Partner ended up sticking with Microsoft for a new virtual hosting business.

Tech-Ed Preview: Building Out the Ecosystem

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

ISVs provide the critical tools and applications that complete Microsoft solutions. Microsoft Tech-Ed is traditionally where many of those vendors announce their next products.

Putting the Right Brand on Hosted Messaging

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

With a new Ready to Go Campaign, Microsoft aims to help hosters and VARs sell full-featured e-mail services to small businesses. It's an appealing opportunity, but trust remains an issue.

Shaping a New Identity

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

How the recession is forcing partners to reinvent themselves and is changing the structure of the Microsoft ecosystem.

Windows Mobile's New Moves

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Facing strong competition from Apple and Google, Microsoft looks to re-tool Windows Mobile for the enterprise market.

Anatomy of a Merger

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Credit markets are frozen. Venture capital is in hibernation. The overall M&A market is falling off a cliff. Yet, in the worst economic quarter in decades, two midsize Microsoft partner firms in the Twin Cities area consummated a deal. How did it happen?

RCP Platinum Partner Program

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Find out which third-party programs your peers say sell better together with Microsoft solutions.

Lean and Green

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The economy may be bad, but green is still good -- for everyone in the extended Microsoft ecosystem.

Product Roundup: It's Virtually Easy Being Green

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

A roundup of green alternatives in the virtualization space.

Web 2.0 Series: Web Wise

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The best business Web sites are more than online billboards -- they're powerful sales tools. Here's how some Microsoft partners are using their public sites to attract new customers and better serve their existing ones.

Making Sense of the Dynamics Business

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Is Microsoft's Dynamics business holding strong or dropping fast? For partners and industry experts alike, that question is especially tricky to answer these days.

Here's What You Think

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

RCP readers weigh in on our annual survey about the Microsoft Partner Program, the IT industry, SaaS and the economy.

Windows Mobile: Call Waiting?

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Developers ask if Windows Mobile is on hold.

Peeking into an Underground Economy

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

New research sheds light on how bank-account credentials, credit-card numbers and other illicit goods are sold in a paranoid online black market.

Robobak Speeds Its Exchange Backup Capabilities

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Channel-focused company looking for resellers for its MSP and branch office-focused solution.

Oracle Expands SMB Reseller Program

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Additional products become available for 1,000 resellers in Oracle's VAD Remarketer Program.

SaaS: S+S Gets Private-Label Option

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Joint Microsoft-HP program gives partners the option to put forward their own brand and control customer billing.

Channeling Power: Women Band Together in the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

By banding together, women IT executives hope to drive new opportunities for themselves, the next generation-and the entire partner community.

Piecing Together Your Virtualization Model

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Rapid growth in virtual technology means partners with the right business plan can reap serious profits.

Marching Orders 2009

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Thanks to the downturn, plenty of partners are entering the New Year wondering which way to go. In our third annual Marching Orders feature, RCP's experts offer advice to point you in the right direction.

How Will Barack Obama Change the Channel?

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Barack Obama is set to become the 44th president of the United States. How should partners position themselves for the new administration's IT spending priorities?

A Tale of Two Partners

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The collaboration between two Cincinnati partners brought them honors from Microsoft -- and a bumper crop of opportunities.

Is It Time to Take Another Look at Symantec?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

The Veritas acquisition caused some problems, but close partners say the security giant is back on its game.

Landing New Business: S+S Incubation Centers Gives ISVs a First Step

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's Software plus Services Incubation Centers can help ISVs hook into SaaS opportunities by pairing them with experienced hosters.

Endangered, Not Extinct: Survival Tips for Partners in These Tough Economic Times

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Even with the current threats to easy credit, Microsoft partners have resources to draw upon in the tough economic times ahead.

The SharePoint Upgrade Trap

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

SharePoint 2007 migrations are simple enough, but beware of hidden dangers. Here's a look at some of the more common upgrade and migration problems.

Windows Gurus: May We Help You?

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft has come up with a toolkit consisting of Windows Gurus and Windows store-within-a-store kiosks at major retail stores to boost the image of Windows Vista. Will the effort be enough?