New Partner Network Debuts to Support ISVs
A new Microsoft Partner Network debuts today. Gone are the old Gold Certified and Certified partner status. In their place, you’ll find new competency designations, such as Microsoft Silver Independent Software Vendor (ISV)/Software competency or the Gold ISV/Software competency. In addition, you’ll find programs to help ISVs to earn those competencies, such as BizSpark and WebsiteSpark.
Partners demonstrate expertise by earning silver or gold competencies in any of 29 areas, each of which relates to a specific customer need and aligns with one of Microsoft’s customer awareness campaigns. One of those is specifically designed for ISVs.
The revamp also brings about a new membership for cloud computing, along with a new Web portal cloud partners.
Starting today, you will renew your annual Microsoft Partner Network memberships under the new structure. Partners will also have the opportunity to build relationships with their peers and with experts at Microsoft. Using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or the Microsoft Partner Network Community, any partner can get answers to questions and take part in conversations about latest technology trends and topics such as best practices, business development and how to drive innovation.
About Competencies
Microsoft competencies are aligned with how customers actually buy, making it easier for you to promote your organization’s skills and expertise to your customers. When you earn one or more silver competencies, you are better positioned to showcase your company’s business focus and experience —and to gain competitive advantage. With gold competencies, you can demonstrate the highest, most consistent capability and commitment to a particular business solution area.
ISV Competency Benefits Summary
By earning the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Competency, you’ll be better positioned to make the most of opportunities related to specific Microsoft technologies. For example:
Microsoft SQL Server data management software can help you expand your offerings and develop strategic business relationships in areas of significant market growth, such as business intelligence (BI) and online transaction processing (OLTP).
With the Windows Server operating system, you can build a scalable platform, leverage virtualization to create an even richer set of managed services, and extend development to build rich Web 2.0 applications.
You can embrace the unprecedented market momentum around the Windows 7 operating system, by developing applications that make the most of its innovative features.
Microsoft cloud services technologies open new opportunities for you to take advantage of software and services, and help you become trusted advisors and full-service IT providers to your customers.
When you attain a Microsoft Partner Network competency, you become eligible to receive a set of core benefits that apply to all competencies. As a Microsoft partner with the ISV/Software competency, you will also be eligible to take advantage of benefits specifically tailored to this competency.
Here is a summary of benefits for earning the ISV Competency.
Business Stage |
|
Gold Competency |
| Plan | Internal-use rights for software relevant to the Silver ISV/Software competency Access to the ISV Royalty Licensing Program |
Internal-use rights for software relevant to the Gold ISV/Software competency Access to the ISV Royalty Licensing Program |
| Enable | 5 Visual Studio Premium with MSDN licenses1 Access to low- and no-cost web development training through the Partner Learning Center Access to registration keys and media for internal-use Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, or Microsoft Dynamics SL software2 |
25 Visual Studio Premium with MSDN licenses1 Access to low- and no-cost web development training through the Partner Learning Center Access to registration keys and media for internal-use Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, or Microsoft Dynamics SL software2 |
| Create Demand | Access to marketing resources, including the Find and Manage Customers campaign through the Partner Marketing Center |
Access to marketing resources, including the Find and Manage Customers campaign through the Partner Marketing Center |
| Sell |
ISV Competency Requirements
Review the following information to learn how to attain the Microsoft Silver Independent Software Vendor (ISV)/Software competency or the Gold ISV/Software competency.
Silver Competency |
Gold Competency | |
| Credentials | Deliver one product or application that has passed one qualifying Microsoft Platform Test. (Get details.) Your organization must deliver one software application or solution that must pass one of the following application tests: |
Deliver one product or application that has passed one qualifying Microsoft Platform Test. (Get details.) Your organization must deliver one software application or solution that must pass one of the following application tests: |
| Revenue | Not applicable | Meet a minimum revenue commitment. (Get details.)1 |
| Customer Evidence | Provide three verifiable customer references. (Get details.) |
Provide five verifiable customer references. (Get details.)2 Participate in the Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index. |
| Commitment |
Pay the silver membership fee. |
Pay the gold membership fee. |
Review the requirements to attain the ISV/Software competency.
Partners seeking Gold competencies must also submit five unique customer references per competency, while Silver competencies require three customer references.
Other Competencies
Applications that have passed qualifying tests can fulfill one of the requirements for the following silver or gold competencies:
- Application Integration
- Business Intelligence
- Content Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Data Platform
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- OEM Hardware (device test)
- Unified Communications
Generally, partners will be required to hire or contract with 4 Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) to achieve a Gold competency, and 2 MCPs to achieve a Silver competency.
Mid-Market Programs
Members of the Microsoft Partner Network can also join the Small Business Specialist Community (SBCS), BizSpark or WebsiteSpark. Each of these communities provides its members with technical and business development resources. SBCS is focused on partners that provide small- and midmarket-business solutions, and BizSpark and WebsiteSpark are focused on entrepreneurs and business startups.
Cloud Essentials
The new Microsoft Cloud Essentials Pack provides partners with the resources they need to experience and extend their business to the cloud. Microsoft considers partners that have already sold cloud computing solutions, have taken part in advanced training, and can provide customer references as having demonstrated an ongoing commitment to its cloud computing efforts. As such, they can qualify for Microsoft Cloud Accelerate. Participants in this program will be rewarded with a Cloud Accelerate badge, additional internal use rights and other benefits that exceed those offered in Cloud Essentials. More information about Microsoft Cloud Accelerate and Microsoft Cloud Essentials Pack can be found at https://www.microsoftcloudpartner.com.
Marketing Resources
In addition to tools such as Microsoft PinPoint, which puts partners in front of customers when the customers search for a Microsoft solution on a website, Microsoft is committed to making constant improvements and expanding the tools to support its partners. As such, Microsoft is also globally rolling out new solution-based incentives that reward Gold Certified Partners driving sales in specific Microsoft solutions, chosen for their growth and market potential. Partners making the transition to the Microsoft Partner Network can find a variety of tools and resources at the Microsoft Partner Network portal.
About Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft invests in the success of its partner channel and more than 640,000 organizations make up Microsoft’s partner ecosystem. Partners have been instrumental to Microsoft’s success over its 33-year history, and they have come to rely on Microsoft for the products, technology, tools and resources that enable them to create profitable and unique businesses. Additional information on the Microsoft Partner Network is available at https://partner.microsoft.com.
How to Join Microsoft Partner Network
The Microsoft Partner Network is committed to serving the needs of our partners. And helping partners—and our more than 160 million mutual customers worldwide—realize their full potential is central to that mission. We believe the Microsoft advantage shines through the success of partners like you.
Click here to join Microsoft Partner Network. Free to join.
Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation