ISVs Get Ready for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 With Front Runner

Getting your applications ready and telling your Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 story just got easier withFront Runner. Front Runner is an early adopter program that helps you get your apps compatible with the latest Microsoft technologies.

Front Runner brings you technical expertise and marketing benefits in an easy-to-use site.

Once you join the program, Front Runner helps you lets your customers know that you are developing on the very latest Microsoft Technologies. The early adopter program has been running for several years now, helping independent software vendors (ISVs) get their applications to market quickly and effectively.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are launching to the public on October 22, so now’s the time to make sure your app is compatible. In addition, Front Runner adds benefits for your company, large or small.

Technical Benefits

Front Runner helps you learn how to make your app compatible, and gives you what you need to make that happen, including:

• Access to Microsoft experts to answer any questions you have
• Training courses on developing for and migrating to Microsoft technologies
• Release Candidate technology versions, software development kits, and technical documents

Front Runner team will help point you to resources, videos, labs, seminars to help you test your applications. You can access online technical communities.

Marketing Benefits

Once your app is compatible, you’ll get a range of marketing benefits to help you get the message out to your customers, including:

• The Front Runner stamp to use on all of your communications
• Customizable marketing and PR campaigns
• Listing in Microsoft directories that are viewed by millions of people

Using the Front Runner logo, you can show your company as an early adopter of Windows technologies.

With the Ready-to-Go marketing campaign you can get a head start on the competition. It features co-branded marketing materials you can use to identify sales opportunities, generate demand, and grow your customer base. These include templates for emails, business letters, postcards, and Web banners. But your application must be compatible to access the Ready to Go Campaigns.

In addition, to help promote next generation Windows to your customers, you’ll get $250 US for your first compatible application and $100 US for each application you register (up to three additional applications) in benefits through the Ready Set Go campaign..

Front Runner will provide a professional press release template to maximize your customer outreach.

And you’ll be able to create a Microsoft Solution Profile to generate interest in your product. Profiles are listed in directories such as Microsoft Pinpoint that reaches millions of customers. Front Runner team will help create and update your Solution Profile.

How to Get Started

Here’s how to get started with Front Runner for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Sign up on the Front Runner site at https://msdev.com/frontrunner You’ll describe your application and select whether it’s for client or server.

Your application doesn’t need to be compatible to get started. In fact, Front Runner will help with the tools and training you will need to get compatible.

You can then add more applications.

For more information, see Front Runner.

Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation

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