WPC 2012

• No Promises on Office 365 Open Availability Before July 2013

  A new partner-billing option for Office 365 may not be available until next July. August 27, 2012 read more

• Lots of Changes Coming to MPN Competencies in November

  In a few months, Microsoft will make the most significant changes yet to its Microsoft Partner Network competency structure. August 13, 2012 read more

• What Microsoft's About-Face on Office 365 Billing Means

  Despite snubbing its OEMs with the Surface, Microsoft's decision to allow direct billing with Office 365 shows that Redmond still has its partners' back. August 09, 2012 read more

• For Top Partners, Microsoft Extends Invitation into 'Elite' Clubs

  Microsoft is looking to add U.S. partners to special programs serving SMB customers both on-premise and in the cloud. July 27, 2012 read more

• Microsoft Gets Surprise Appeal: Pitch MPN Competencies to Customers

  It's not every day you get to put Microsoft on the spot in front of a live audience of a few hundred people. July 19, 2012 read more

• Windows XP Deathwatch, Part 2

  A year ago, Microsoft put Windows XP on a deathwatch. This year, company officials warned there would be no reprieve for the popular but aging operating system. July 19, 2012 read more

• Microsoft Stores: The Small Business Microsoft Technology Center

  Most Microsoft partners serving small-business customers know without being told that the Microsoft Technology Centers are not designed for them or their customers. July 19, 2012 read more

• For Partners, Microsoft Expands on Windows Phone 8's Business Readiness

  Without breaking any news on Windows Phone 8 at its partner confab last week, Microsoft did treat partners to a deeper dive into business features of the upcoming smartphone platform. July 18, 2012 read more

• An Update on an Update on MPN Silver and Gold

  Microsoft keeps on adding to its roster of partners carrying the gold competencies and silver competencies the company created with the Microsoft Partner Network. July 17, 2012 read more

• UPDATED: A Partner's Guide to the Microsoft Field for FY13

  One of the most important things for partners to figure out at the start of a Microsoft fiscal year is what Microsoft is doing in the field. July 17, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012 Session Recap

  RCP columnist Ken Thoreson helmed four sessions at this year's Worldwide Partner Conference. Here's a summary of the topics he discussed with partners. July 17, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Vendor News Roundup

  A selection of new products and announcements from Microsoft's partners at this year's Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. July 13, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Microsoft Launches CTP of Windows Server for Hosting Providers

  On the heels of its announcement last month that Windows Azure customers will be able to run virtual machine instances, Microsoft this week released the community technology preview (CTP) of Windows Server for Hosting Providers in a move that would enable third-party hosting providers to build cloud service offerings running on Windows Server. July 12, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: What's MPN Worth to a Partner? $320K

  In advance of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference this week, Microsoft worked with IDC to research and produce a graphic detailing what the benefits of the Microsoft Partner Network are worth to a partner. July 12, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Who Had the Best Swag?

  As the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference winds down, let's focus on what's really important to attendees of any conference: Who had the best swag on the show floor? July 12, 2012 read more

• A Conversation with Microsoft's Channel Chief: BYOD, Cloud and Shifting Partner Roles

  What does Microsoft's Jon Roskill think is driving the most profound change in the partner channel? July 11, 2012 read more

• WPC Day 3 Twitter Highlights: Windows 8 'Game Changer,' XP Death March Continues, More

  Scott was on hand to live-Tweet Wednesday's WPC keynote, which was basically a Kevin Turner pep rally. July 11, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Microsoft Revamps MPN Logo

  Microsoft unveiled a new logo for the Microsoft Partner Network this week at its Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. July 10, 2012 read more

• WPC Day 2 Twitter Highlights: Spotlight on Windows Phone 8 and Windows Server 2012

  Tuesday's Day 2 keynote was full of announcements, and Scott was there to live-Tweet them all. July 10, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Microsoft Upends Dynamics Partner Incentive Model

  Microsoft is making major changes to the way partners can earn money on the Dynamics suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) products. July 09, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Quest Adds Global Partners, Service Providers to Partner Program

  Quest Software, one of the largest providers of Microsoft tools, is expanding the Quest Partner Circle (QPC) program to include global partners and service providers. July 09, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 To RTM First Week of August

  Windows 8 will be released to manufacturing (RTM) in the first week of August and be generally available in October. July 09, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Microsoft Buys Touchscreen Technology Company Perceptive Pixel

  Microsoft is acquiring Perceptive Pixel Inc., a provider of large-scale, multi-touch technology, for an undisclosed amount. July 09, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012: Office 365 Partners To Get Direct Billing

  Microsoft for the first time will allow its broad base of partners to handle customer billing for the Office 365 suite, addressing what has been the single biggest controversy in the Microsoft channel for the last few years. July 09, 2012 read more

• WPC Day 1 Twitter Highlights: Opening Keynote, Ballmer's Mic Fail, More

  Scott live-Tweeted his way through Monday's WPC 2012 keynote, which featured major Windows 8 and Office 365 news. July 09, 2012 read more

• Check Out the WPC Expo Hall Guide at RCP

  Vendors looking to make a splash at WPC have filled out detailed e-mail interviews with RCP about what value they're offering to partners this year, and what they're emphasizing at the show. Yes, we even get into the swag. July 05, 2012 read more

• 6 WPC Sessions for Better Business

  The Alliance for Channel Success, which includes RCP columnists Ken Thoreson and Howard Cohen, will participate in several sessions at WPC next week in Toronto. July 03, 2012 read more

• Microsoft 'Partner of the Year' Winners Announced

  Microsoft on Monday published its list of Partner of the Year Award winners and finalists for 2012. June 25, 2012 read more

• WPC 2012 Session Agenda: Heavy on the Cloud

  If the initial session list is any indication, Microsoft is stacking its forthcoming Worldwide Partner Conference with lots of Windows Azure, Office 365 and Dynamics CRM content. But its staple products will get their turns in the spotlight, too. June 07, 2012 read more

• Microsoft's Official WPC Enemies List

  During the registration process for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, potential attendees come across what amounts to an enemies list in the small print. May 21, 2012 read more

• Marching Orders: Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2012

  WEB EXCLUSIVE: Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference is a rewarding experience, but it can also become overwhelming if attendees aren't prepared. Here are some tips for how to survive (and enjoy) this year's WPC in Toronto from five industry consultants. May 03, 2012 read more

• Q&A with the IAMCP's New Worldwide Leader

  WEB EXCLUSIVE: Kelvin Kirby talks to RCP about what's coming down the pipeline from the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners, from the organization's plan to expand its chapters to what to expect from the upcoming Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. May 02, 2012 read more

• Deepak Chopra To Be Guest Speaker at WPC

  Microsoft's guest speaker at the 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto this July will be mind-body medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra. March 11, 2012 read more

• As Registration Begins for WPC Toronto, Digital WPC Becomes a Destination

  Even as registration opens this week for the Microsoft 2012 Worldwide Partner Conference in July, Microsoft partner executives are rolling out changes to make Digital WPC a more valuable regular online stop for partners. February 27, 2012 read more

• Bored in Toronto at WPC 2012? Walk the CN Tower Ledge

  It's as invigorating as a Ballmer keynote, but with bonus vertigo. August 02, 2011 read more

• Toronto To Host WPC 2012

  Next year's conference will be the first time since 2004 that Microsoft has held WPC outside the U.S. July 13, 2011 read more