"Cloud" was king at the first annual MVP Nation conference, but this year's gathering of Microsoft MVPs covered other topics as well. This is RCP's report of those discussions, straight from the show floor.
- By Rich Freeman
- May 17, 2011
For shops of 25 to 75 seats with traditional IT requirements, the on-premises version of Microsoft Small Business Server still makes a lot of sense, and the new release contains a lot for partners and IT to like.
- By J. Peter Bruzzese
- May 10, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: While there are several Windows Phone 7 devices jockeying for position in the U.S. smartphone market, there are currently five that are also available internationally from LG, Samsung and HTC. Here's a breakdown of each.
- By Keith Ward
- May 04, 2011
Microsoft has six horses in the U.S. smartphone race, from Samsung, HTC, LG and Dell. Here's a detailed roundup of all the devices Microsoft hopes will carry its Windows Phone 7 platform past the competition.
- By Keith Ward
- May 03, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Which components of Microsoft's 350-strong product portfolio are the most important to its partners' businesses? To find the answer, we asked the partners themselves -- over 500 of them -- to pick the 10 they and their customers can't go without.
- By Scott Bekker
- April 26, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: The public beta of Office 365, Microsoft's much-anticipated successor to its Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), has just arrived, and we've got an early look. Here are 12 key features from the beta that show how Microsoft plans to deliver productivity tools in the cloud.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- April 20, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: From the early acquisitions of Great Plains and Navision, to the Burgum-Nadella-Tatarinov executive shakeup, to the company's tentative first steps toward an "all-in" cloud approach, we spotlight the top 10 milestones from Microsoft's decade of Dynamics.
- By Scott Bekker
- April 15, 2011
With the launch of the Microsoft Partner Network in November, Microsoft forced 400,000 partners to decide how they'll fit their businesses into the new structure. In our annual survey, readers reported how they're planning to adapt.
- By Scott Bekker
- April 12, 2011
Once again, RCP slogged through the App Store to spotlight the most interesting iPad apps. Last time, we brought you 23. This time, we more than doubled that number, bringing the total to 47. Some are free, others are expensive, but all have potential for integration into Microsoft partner-provided solutions.
- By Scott Bekker
- April 02, 2011
Microsoft's Kristi Hofer, who has crisscrossed the country talking up Microsoft's proposed plan to create a franchise model for Dynamics partners, recently sat down with RCP to explain what such a model would mean for the MPN.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- March 31, 2011
Many small partners won't qualify for a gold competency under the new MPN. Merging with larger partners is one option, but many partners are reluctant to give up their independence. Now Microsoft is considering franchising as an alternative.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- March 31, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: With so many licensing choices available, IT pros can expect to have at least a few questions if they decide to migrate to Office 365. Consultancy Directions on Microsoft recently shed some light on the ins and outs of Office 365 licensing in an online discussion.
- By Kurt Mackie
- March 29, 2011
As the IT industry matures, mergers and acquisitions dominate the channel landscape.
- By Scott Bekker
- March 11, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: We slogged through the App Store to bring the most interesting iPad apps to the surface. Some are free, others are expensive but all have potential for integration into Microsoft partner solutions.
- By Scott Bekker
- March 10, 2011
A new crop of Windows 7-based notebooks are retaining the utility of the form factor while drawing inspiration from the upstart tablet category.
- By Alison Diana
- March 09, 2011
Will a new program that pays partners for Dynamics leads reach critical mass and spur similar programs within Microsoft?
- By Scott Bekker
- March 06, 2011
Tablets may be the current consumer rage, but notebooks are here to stay. Here are a dozen that have caught our eye.
- By Alison Diana
- March 06, 2011
Unemployment remains high, growth projections are modest and systemic risks remain a concern for the economy in 2011. But IT analysts project slightly better growth in technology spending, and Microsoft partners report filling pipelines for the start of the year.
- By Scott Bekker
- February 01, 2011
Partner marketing expert Barb Levisay offers tips for getting the most out of Microsoft's free partner directory.
- By Barb Levisay
- January 01, 2011
As the cloud fills every inch of the IT sky, and the Microsoft Partner Network goes into full effect, RCP's panel of experts offer their best tips for your business to thrive.
- By Scott Bekker
- January 01, 2011