As you know, back in November the Microsoft Partner Network was launched which includes the new silver competencies and gold competencies that allow Microsoft partners to help differentiate themselves and gain access to additional benefits from Microsoft to help you plan your business, enable your staff, create demand, sell & service Microsoft solutions, and retain your new and existing clients.  This builds upon the earlier launch last summer of the two new Microsoft Action Pack subscriptions to bring more benefits to Microsoft partners. 

Something I wanted to call out to all of you that I want to make sure you are aware of is that the Microsoft Partner Network now includes TechNet Subscriptions for all Microsoft gold and silver competency partners as well as Action Pack Solution Provider subscribers.  Why?  Simple: Microsoft TechNet Subscriptions can help you quickly resolve technical issues, boost productivity, and build technical skills. With TechNet Subscriptions, you can download and evaluate the latest full-version software and beta releases, and gain access to extensive technical information.

Here are just some of the key TechNet Subscription benefits:

UPDATE: Be sure to check out the latest TechNet Subscriptions Benefits by looking HERE.

• Access to evaluation software. Includes Microsoft commercial software, including beta and release candidate (RC) versions of operating system, application, server and Microsoft Dynamics® software, with no time or feature limits.
• Exclusive Knowledge Base Portal access. Manage your subscription and efficiently access your benefits in one place.
• Technical Library downloads and viewer. Download Technical Library documents to your PC and manage them for quick and easy access.

Now you may be asking, so what’s included in the TechNet subscription benefit at the different levels and how does it compare to the retail TechNet subscriptions?  Below is a chart showing a comparison for you to give you a quick overview:

You can click on the image to the left to see it in full size.  Also, I would suggest heading out to the Microsoft Partner Network TechNet Subscription Benefits page on the Microsoft Partner Network portal to see even more information about these subscriptions.

So my question to you is, have you activated and started using your TechNet subscription benefit included in your Microsoft Partner Network Membership if you are a Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider subscriber or a partner with a silver competency or gold competency?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Head out to the Microsoft Partner Network TechNet Subscription Benefits page today and activate your subscription.  Better yet, do it now! 

Seriously.  Just take your mouse, click the link, and activate your subscription.  Yes, right now.  Why are you still reading this?!?  While I am glad you are riveted to my blog post, you should be activating your subscription already.  Go, get to it.  Ok, let me make it really simple: Activate Your Subscription 

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights