Program Description
The Microsoft Certified Partner Program is a widely-recognized, worldwide program for independent companies that provide Microsoft-based IT services and products to corporate, government and small- or medium-sized businesses. Partners encompass a broad range of technical expertise, including specialized disciplines such as e-commerce, networking, collaboration, and more. As one of the most important resources in providing Microsoft solutions, they have this in common: a commitment to emerging technology and providing excellence in customer solutions. By becoming a Microsoft Certified Partner, you will demonstrate your commitment and make the most of your investment in money and time.
Microsoft Certified Partner benefits power up your business.
- Certified Partner Brand. Broadly adopted worldwide, the Microsoft Certified Partner identity can be integrated in all facets of your marketing.
- Peer Partnering. Develop relationships with partners worldwide through the online classifieds and attend Fusion, a global conference that enables you to align your business vision and network with peers.
- Customer referrals. Leads to new customers are directed to partners through an online reporting and prioritization process.
- Customer-ready Marketing Kit. For a variety of customer promotions, sales presentation training, advertising and direct mail campaigns, e-mail and PR marketing templates, demos, and more.
- Microsoft Product and Scenario Sales Training. Training and assessment exams to build knowledge and ensure your success in recommending solutions to customers.
- Microsoft Partner Guides. Use new products before they launch with monthly sales and technical information and beta software on new Microsoft products.
- Microsoft InfoWeb. Previously the Quarterly Initiative Campaign, receive the same planning documents, case studies, presentations, and white papers as the Microsoft sales team.
- Technical Readiness Roadmaps. Also sent monthly, roadmaps outline the core competencies and skill development areas needed to prepare for new Microsoft products and technologies.
- Microsoft Airlift Event in-a-box. An in-depth CD featuring training and events geared toward consulting, designing, and building specific Microsoft solutions.
- Microsoft Project Guides. Develop a project management methodology and identify job roles within your organization to ensure successful customer engagements.
- TechNet Plus and MSDN Universal Technical Subscriptions. Complimentary in the partner Welcome Kit, these how-to technical and developer resources are kept up-to-date monthly via CD or DVD.
- Product licenses and beta products. The latest Microsoft Products under development, sent on a regular basis as part of TechNet.
- Microsoft Official Curriculum. Microsoft Certified Partners have access to purchase Microsoft Official Curriculum, high quality content from Microsoft that accelerates skills development on Microsoft technologies. Build your company’s technology skills or use with your customer engagements to offer a complete technology solution. Or partner with Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (Microsoft CTECs) to meet your customers' technical training needs.
NEW 2002 Program Benefits move you beyond the expected.
- New Business Platform Evaluation Kits to allow your customers to try Microsoft products and solutions before they buy
- Convenient, Hands-on Lab CD Kit to deliver in-depth technical introductions to Microsoft products to your entire staff
- New Microsoft corporate marketing campaigns to leverage in your business promotions
- Microsoft for Partners Private Web site, a comprehensive, secure site containing a wealth of exclusive partner information, including new customer referrals
- More product licenses for internal use, and at a discount
Focus on specific customer needs as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
Your customers rely on you to uphold the highest standard of excellence in product knowledge and expertise, so they can optimize their technology and stayed prepared for the future. You are their bridge between technology and business.
The Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program identifies Microsoft Certified Partners who have demonstrated their proven commitment and expertise in one or more specialized areas, and who focus on the medium to large enterprise customer market. Benefits include exclusive branding, enhanced licensing (for internal use, demonstration, development and training), prioritized access to technical and marketing information including advanced training and special events, prioritized referrals, and more.
If you're already a Microsoft Certified Partner, consider applying for Gold Partner status when you renew. There are now nine specialized tracks to choose from, including:
Become a Microsoft Certified Partner if:
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Fast Facts
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In a revenue growth survey, 95% of Microsoft Certified Partners said the Microsoft affiliation contributed significantly—on average a 29% increase to each affiliation. |
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More than 85% said the Microsoft affiliation was valuable to their business and allowed them to expand their services. |
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Microsoft shipped more than 52 pre-release beta products to its Certified Partners in 2000. |
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Each month, more than 75,000 business customers conduct a search for a Microsoft Certified Partner. |
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- You provide reliable, scalable services and/or sell products based on Microsoft technologies. Services may include consulting, implementation, training, custom application development, software migration, application architecture design, systems integration, e-commerce solution development, web and application hosting, or maintenance/support. Products may include, but are not limited to, e-commerce, business intelligence, knowledge management, CRM, ERP and other line-of-business applications.
- You are a premier IT service provider, independent software vendor (ISV) or application service provider (ASP) and would like to be recognized as such with a Microsoft Certified Partner membership logo.
- You seek the resources and tools used by Microsoft's own systems engineers, including development and testing licenses, internal and marketing use licenses, beta software, discounted PSS support, and joint marketing opportunities with Microsoft.
- You want sales and marketing resources and tools to support your growing business with Microsoft products and solutions.
- You would like to receive customer referrals and participate in a worldwide community of Microsoft Certified Partners.
Program Requirements
Microsoft Certified Partners must have at least 2 Microsoft Certified Professionals on staff or 1 software product that successfully completes one of the following software tests: Designed for Windows XP logo that you can sign up for on www.windowslogo.com, Windows 2000 Independently Verified Compatible and Technical Integration Testing for Commerce Server 2000 that are administered through VeriTest and specifications can be found at www.VeriTest.com
