New functionality additions in the social networking tool mean creative Microsoft partners have more ways than ever to get the word out about the great things their companies are doing. 
                    
			            - By Joe  Dysart
 - August 22, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    According to a recent report by Avanade, the nightmare of "cloud sprawl" is quickly becoming a reality for a growing number of executives. Here's how to guide your clients through the cloud-services minefield.
                    
			            - By Jeffrey  Schwartz
 - August 16, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Hidden in plain sight within the Microsoft Partner Network are six places where partners can get free product licenses. Hint: Check your Internal Use Rights.
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - August 08, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Now that it's available, partners are prepared to start offering Microsoft's biggest bet in the cloud to date.
                    
			            - By Jeffrey  Schwartz
 - August 04, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Microsoft created a new partner category when it launched Office 365 to fix the billing problems that vexed partners with BPOS. But there's a catch.
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - August 04, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    With Microsoft rolling out more of its key business applications in the cloud, the channel must prepare. But in interviews at Microsoft Convergence, partners and customers are finding the cloud is just one more reason to re-emphasize good old-fashioned services.
                    
			            - By Barb  Levisay
 - July 25, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    The simple truth is that IT services executives have to constantly be looking ahead two and three years.
                    
			            - By Mike  Harvath
 - July 01, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Citing "cool" factor, partners see the next OS interface as unifying Microsoft's platforms. Concerns surround how the touch orientation will translate to the desktop, and whether thorny OEM and development issues find quick resolutions.  
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - July 01, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    With effort, a little prodding and help from peers, Jamison West took a "one-man band" to a 30-person firm. His company, JWCS, acquired two other Seattle companies in the last year and relaunched July 1 as Arterian.
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - July 01, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    WEB EXCLUSIVE: In a major change from BPOS, 20 hosters with value-added services will handle their own customer billing for Office 365. VARs and MSPs must still go through Microsoft in the Partner of Record model.
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - June 30, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Partners and sales teams are entering uncharted territory in cloud computing. Here are six tips for building a successful cloud practice.
                    
			            - By Ken  Thoreson
 - June 01, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    It's one thing to be productive, but if your productivity comes at a high cost, you lose. Therefore, it's important to be efficient, too.
                    
			            - By Keith  Lubner
 - June 01, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    WEB EXCLUSIVE: It's hard enough to sell a product without having first-hand experience of it. That's even more evident when the product is Microsoft Lync. For some partners, adopting Lync for their own use has proven to be the best way to help their clients.
                    
			            - By Doug  Barney, Scott  Bekker
 - May 30, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has revamped its TrueNorth Partner Program to include four new specializations, the company announced this week.
                    
			            - By Gladys  Rama
 - May 19, 2011
 
		            
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    While most of the analysis of Microsoft's $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype has focused on the consumer aspects of the deal, partners have responded enthusiastically and are seeing some opportunities for Skype alongside Microsoft Lync.
                    
			            - By Scott  Bekker
 - May 12, 2011