Reader Feedback: The New Microsoft Partner Network
So, Microsoft changes the name of its partner program and then jettisons its leader, Allison Watson, in favor of Jonathan Roskill. For serial e-mailer and RCPU legend Peter, things could be going better with the new Microsoft Partner Network:
"I thought it was time to look at renewing our partnership agreement, so I logged onto our Microsoft partner space. Even though we have seen no measurable value from participating in the Microsoft Partner Program as a Certified (certifiable?) Member, I thought we'd hang in there!
I was quite stunned to find that all our historical Microsoft client reference information has been deleted by Microsoft. It's like we never existed. I spoke to some support girl in the Philippines who basically said there's no way to get it back. It's Microsoft policy. Bad luck.
All our people's certifications have expired, too (sure, we knew this was coming, but it's still a shock when it happens).
I have been unable to figure out who is running the certification training, although there are probably several outfits that provide some kind of training services. The Philippines girl said, 'Your people just have to sit the new exams, and everything will be good.'
So, the bottom line is, even thought we are experts in our discipline, we are not qualified to re-enroll in the Microsoft Network Program (or whatever it's called this week). I feel like we've been totally wiped out for no good reason.
So, good luck to Roskill sorting out this mess..."
You know, Peter, it's funny. We've heard more negative whispers about the MPP -- sorry, MPN -- since the Worldwide Partner Conference than we'd heard in a really long time before that. That's obviously not an indictment of Mr. Roskill, who is just getting started in his role. But the whole change to MPN from MPP, the shifting of classifications, Microsoft's cloud arm-twisting and maybe even the departure of Allison Watson seem to have made people nervous, if not a big aggravated. Let us know how things play out. The Partner Network has always been a strength for Microsoft; the company can ill afford to let it slide.
Posted by Lee Pender on August 12, 2010 at 11:56 AM