The Small Business Competency is coming to the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) in June, Microsoft announced on Thursday.
- By Gladys Rama
- March 01, 2012
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.
- By Barb Levisay
- February 15, 2012
With the tide shifting to favor Microsoft's larger partners, smaller shops need to seriously consider revisiting their partnering strategy.
- By Howard M. Cohen
- February 01, 2012
Channel guru Howard Cohen debates whether the Microsoft partner channel is really still a channel at all.
- By Howard M. Cohen
- January 19, 2012
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.
- By Scott Bekker
- January 03, 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.
- By Scott Bekker
- December 31, 2011
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.
- By Barb Levisay
- December 05, 2011
What's happened since Microsoft completely switched over to the Microsoft Partner Network with its dramatically different competency, specialization and incentive structures? A lot.
- By Scott Bekker
- December 01, 2011
A recent interview with Jon Roskill, Microsoft's channel chief, hints at a possible cloud requirement for the Microsoft Partner Network's highest tier.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- December 01, 2011
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.
- By Scott Bekker
- November 06, 2011
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.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- November 02, 2011
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.
- By Scott Bekker
- November 02, 2011
Katalys Group formed to help small Dynamics partners find a creative way to meet the Microsoft Partner Network requirements by banding together.
- By Barb Levisay
- November 02, 2011
Lead with pain points, not the Windows Intune brand. Leverage Windows Intune to help SMBs upgrade to Windows 7. Pair Windows Intune sales with Office 365. Look for business incentive fund (BIF) opportunities.
- By Scott Bekker
- October 18, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Microsoft's recent Build conference gave partners -- and the world -- the first in-depth look at the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system. From the radically different UI to Hyper-V support, here are the top 10 features Microsoft revealed at Build that partners should pay close attention to.
- By Scott Bekker
- September 23, 2011