Navigating Microsoft


Partnering for Survival: Strength in Numbers for Microsoft Partners

It might be a tired cliche but it also happens to be true: You can't -- and you probably don't want to even try -- to be all things to all people.

MPN Small Business Competency: More Benefits, Bigger Price Tag

When Microsoft rolls out the Small Business competency next month, partners will find a program that is more expensive to join than the popular Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC), but also far more loaded with benefits and focused on cloud.

The Case for Joining the IAMCP

The IAMCP is a channel institution unique to Microsoft partners. A U.S. board member makes the case for membership as the organization undergoes changes that its leaders hope will lead to 250 percent membership growth in the United States over the next year.

MPN Small Business Competency Launching This Summer

The Small Business Competency is coming to the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) in June, Microsoft announced on Thursday.

How 3 Microsoft Partners Are Adapting Their Service Models for the Cloud

As SMBs adopt cloud solutions, how can partners continue to provide value-added services to those organizations? Innovative partners are finding ways to "package" services to accompany cloud-based changes in both technology and buyer attitudes.

When It Comes to Microsoft Partners, Size Matters

With the tide shifting to favor Microsoft's larger partners, smaller shops need to seriously consider revisiting their partnering strategy.

Analysis: Is There Still a Microsoft Partner Channel?

Channel guru Howard Cohen debates whether the Microsoft partner channel is really still a channel at all.

Marching Orders 2012: Big Ideas for the Microsoft Channel

RCP asked 19 channel luminaries for their best piece of advice for the year ahead. Here are their tips on ways to make 2012 a banner year for Microsoft partners.

9 Huge Opportunities for Microsoft Partners in 2012

WEB EXCLUSIVE: For many partners, matching their priorities with Microsoft's is a sure-fire way to boost business. Conveniently, Microsoft has just listed its top priority areas -- or "priority workloads" -- for the Microsoft Partner Network. Here they are, along with the related products and competencies for each.

Judging the Impact of Microsoft's Master VAR Program

The Master VAR program evokes strong emotions in the Dynamics partner channel. There are plenty of critics of the program, but Microsoft is committed to pushing the model forward, which will bring a new dimension -- and perhaps new energy -- to the Dynamics partner ecosystem.

The Microsoft Partner Network's 1st Year: What Changed, What Worked and Where Does the Cloud Fit?

What's happened since Microsoft completely switched over to the Microsoft Partner Network with its dramatically different competency, specialization and incentive structures? A lot.

Microsoft Mulling Cloud Sales for Gold Competencies?

A recent interview with Jon Roskill, Microsoft's channel chief, hints at a possible cloud requirement for the Microsoft Partner Network's highest tier.

Top 8 Partner Opportunities in Windows 8

The latest Microsoft OS promises disruptive opportunities for every type of partner -- from developers to solutions providers to those who provide training -- assuming they move fast.

Microsoft Considers Making Cloud Sales Required for Gold Competencies

It's no secret that Microsoft is encouraging partners to offer its cloud computing services, but the company may ultimately step that up to a requirement.

Post-Master VAR, Microsoft Cracks Down on Alternative Approach

With its first two Master VARs named, Microsoft is cracking down on a so-called buying group that sprung up in response to the recent changes for Microsoft partners focused on the business application/Dynamics side of Microsoft's product portfolio.