Reaching Out to Microsoft Partners in Australia : Action Pack

News on Action Pack Pricing for Australia

nickmayhew — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:19:34 GMT

As per the Australia Partner blog:

“

Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Price Changes for Australia

On behalf of Microsoft I would like to thank everyone who has given us feedback over the past couple of years around the price of the Microsoft Action Pack for Australian Partners. I am happy to share with you that as of today Microsoft Corporate have reduced the price of the Microsoft Action Pack to

Digital Distribution only - $396 Australian Dollars after tax
Physical Media and Digital Distribution - $660 Australian Dollars after tax

”

http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/archive/2009/08/24/microsoft-action-pack-subscription-price-changes-for-australia.aspx

I hope that this is well received news – it’s something that has been raised as an issue for years and we are pleased to have got the change approved to ensure pricing is more compatible with that shown for US partners.

Let me know what you think via this blog in comments or mail.

Licensing 101 Breakfast Events for partners

nickmayhew — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:22:45 GMT

Learn about Microsoft Licensing over breakfast, and help your business grow. It's back by popular demand: Licensing 101. Due to the positive feedback we received after our last licensing training session, we're running a repeat session - to help you drive licensing revenue in the SMB space.

This practical Licensing 101 session will help you:

Identify the key Microsoft technologies driving revenue growth.
Get an overview of Microsoft's licensing programs, and understand how you can effectively sell Microsoft licensing to your customers.
Improve customer satisfaction and drive your revenue, by identifying the right licensing solution for your customers.

Who is this session created for?
Any Microsoft Partner who is new to licensing - especially OEM and FPP resellers looking to drive revenue by selling basic volume licensing.

Don't miss this great opportunity to drive revenue for your business.

Event details
Melbourne
Tuesday 18 August 8:30am – 10am, Microsoft Office, Exhibition Room
Sydney
Wednesday 19 August 8:30am – 10am, Microsoft Office, Theatres 2 and 3
Brisbane
Friday 21 August, 8:30am – 10am, Microsoft Office, Theatre 1

Note: Registration and breakfast for all events starts at 8am.
All other states
There will be a complimentary webcast on Tuesday 25 August.

Partner Program Changes – clarification on exams and news on briefing events across the country

nickmayhew — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:58:41 GMT

I saw this article published in ARN and it was interesting to read the concerns expressed by Tony Banks over losing the investment in certifications for his team. I wanted to take a moment to clarify that this does not need to be a significant concern as long as certifications are kept up to date. Credit for certifications aligned to relatively new technology sets will continue to be an important part of meeting the requirements of a competency under the new Microsoft Partner Network. Indeed this is no change per se from the current program where keeping certifications up to date was a requirement of the competencies.

The new competency list is shown here for further reference and we’ll be providing more information at the next level of detail in the coming weeks. Partners attending the Australian Partner Conference will also have the chance to ask questions directly of the Microsoft team of course. For those of you not attending Australia Partner Conference, Inese Kingsmill and her team will be doing state sessions over the next two weeks. If this is of interest to you please register and attend one of the events below:

August 17: Victoria, Melbourne -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423237&Culture=en-AU

August 18: Perth, WA -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423242&Culture=en-AU

August 19: Adelaide, South Australia -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423238&Culture=en-AU

August 20: Canberra, ACT -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423239&Culture=en-AU

August 25: Brisbane, QLD -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423241&Culture=en-AU

August 26: Sydney, NSW –

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423245&Culture=en-AU

August 31:Gold Coast, QLD -

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032423243&Culture=en-AU

Latest from the Partner Network Blog

nickmayhew — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:54:20 GMT

Sarah Arnold’s been busy on the blogging front recently – don’t forget to check out her excellent resource for Aussie partners. Here are some recent posts (http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/):

Action Pack Update: http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/archive/2009/07/23/microsoft-action-pack-update.aspx

Australian Partner Winners at Worldwide Parrtner Conference (congrats !) : http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/archive/2009/06/25/australian-partners-win-8-awards-at-worldwide-partner-conference.aspx

Special offer on MS Press for Windows 7 (finishes July 31): http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/archive/2009/07/07/hit-the-ground-running-with-windows-7.aspx

New EBS 2008 and SBS 2008 Click-through Demos Available For Partners!

nickmayhew — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:23:03 GMT

I found this on the SMB Community blog and felt it would be useful for the local partner community – having some simple click-through demos can help busy partners quickly cover off the introduction to a new possible product for their customers and prospects.

Re-posted here for convenience:

“Want a quick, lightweight, and portable way to show off EBS 2008 and SBS 2008? Click-through demos are being posted on the Download Center for you to use starting later today. These click-through demos come with lab manuals that go in depth into the products and how to demonstrate them to potential customers and clients. Some of the topics include:

168179 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Features Overview
168181 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Installation
168182 - EBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - EBS with System Center Essentials
168186 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Installation
168187 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Migration from SBS 2003
168189 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Working With Clients
168185 - SBS 2008 To Customer Click Thru Demo - Admin Console

To get these click-through demos to use, head out to the Download Center and download the SBS 2008 demos as well as the EBS 2008 demos.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman

”

Action Pack News: Assessment Requirement Suspended for MAPS Renewals

nickmayhew — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:02:09 GMT

Assessment Requirement Suspended for MAPS Renewals

The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) brings the latest Microsoft software right to your door, so that you can spend your time serving clients and growing your business. We’re improving the process; meanwhile, the assessment requirement has been temporarily suspended for returning subscribers. Renew today.

Microsoft Action Pack Issue - Windows Home Server PID Key

nickmayhew — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:09:32 GMT

There is an issue with the PID key not working properly with Windows Home Server and we would like to provide you with a new PID key.

Please call your regional call center for assistance (13 20 58 option 4 for Australian partners). In addition, we will be including updated PID cards for the Windows Home Server software in the January Microsoft Action Pack kit.

Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience caused !

Technical Support for Action Pack Subscribers

nickmayhew — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:34:04 GMT

Just for Action Pack subscribers - your very own online technical support: https://partner.microsoft.com/global/actionpackcommunity

The MAPS Online Technical Community* provides an environment in which Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) holders can discuss business practices and share development and testing ideas and in-depth product knowledge. Get answers to your questions from Microsoft support professionals within eight business hours. Find resources designed to help you make the most of the tools within the Action Pack. Stay competitive. Meet your sales goals. And grow your business.

*This service is limited to Microsoft Action Pack Subscription holders.

Based on partner requests, more than a dozen Microsoft products are supported in this community, including, but not limited to, products in the following families: Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Office, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft System Center, and Windows Server.

Mistake in Gold and Certified Partner Newsletter

nickmayhew — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:29:44 GMT

For all Gold Certified & Certified Partners,

Please note that the leading Feature article in this month's Gold Certified & Certified newsletter contains information which is not applicable to you as our Gold & Certified Partners, only to our Registered Partners.

The article we are referring to is:

Action Pack: From Software to Sales!

Looking for ways to meet your sales goals? The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) is a key tool full of resources that will drive your business, increase your skills and give you hands on experience with the latest Microsoft software. It provides your business with a range of not-for-sale licenses, including Small Business Server, Windows Exchange Server, SQL Server and Visual Studio* Each toolkit comes complete with demos, sales resources, and more. If you haven't yet got an Action Pack Subscription, get one today for just AU$699 p.a. Find out more information about MAPS and order online.
* Requires the Web add on kit

We are sorry about any confusion caused. The Action Pack is only for registered partners - Gold and Certified partners get all the software they need (more than Action Pack) via the internal use software benefits of the program.

Vista SP1 Available Now on Windows Update

nickmayhew — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:29:10 GMT

This is great news for partners and customers !

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/03/18/windows-vista-sp1-released-to-windows-update.aspx

Web partner - guide to our partner program

nickmayhew — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:57:15 GMT

Christian has posted a great guide, linking to the MIX08 sessions as well, for web dev and design organisations looking to get involved in the Microsoft partner program.

See here: http://blogs.msdn.com/chlong/archive/2008/03/10/summary-of-the-partner-program-session-at-mix08.aspx

Important Information for Action Pack Subscribers - Vista Update

nickmayhew — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:25:54 GMT

We are really pleased with the following changes which Action Pack subscribers should have been told through a recent email - it's definitely a case of providing feedback and Microsoft listening and changing accordingly.

"Attention Action Pack Subscribers: “Improving the Windows Vista experience for you and your customers

Microsoft is always looking for ways to improve our programs and products to help Partners sustain business profitability for long-term success. We have been working hard to improve Microsoft Windows Vista, culminating in the upcoming Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Here’s what you can expect from us over the next few months:

Delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 via a Special Action Pack shipment to Partners in (March/April 2008). The kit will include full-install licence keys (not upgrade)
One full-install licence key for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 for internal use. We plan for this software to be delivered in your regular Action Pack quarterly update (April/May 2008).
A set of readiness resources to enable you to sell and support Windows Vista solutions for your SMB customers as Windows Vista momentum builds with the release of SP1.

· Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using and selling Windows Vista.

Now is the time for Windows Vista, for both Partners and your customers, and we’re making it easier than ever for you to learn, use and sell Windows Vista.

Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Learn more about Windows Vista and SP1 here. <link to: https://partner.microsoft.com/global/productssolutions/windows/vista>

Forthcoming changes to Action Pack

nickmayhew — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:40:51 GMT

I have some important news for those of you who are Action Pack subscribers!

Beginning November 30, 2007 partners either renewing or subscribing to Action Pack will be required to take an online course from the Partner Learning Center and pass the associated course assessment (with a score of 70% or higher). This assessment will have to be passed every two years.

Supplemental Kit Offerings: Action Pack “Special Editions”

In addition to the standard Action Pack kit that you receive, we’ve created the following supplements, which will be offered up to twice per year at no additional cost.

- Small Business Specialist Community Toolkit

- Web Developers, Designers and Agencies

- Professional Accountants

If you want more information around this just visit https://partner.microsoft.com/actionpack.

New Benefit for Action Pack Members

nickmayhew — Sat, 12 May 2007 04:19:00 GMT

Until 31st July, Action Pack members can use the Response Management Tool usually reserved for Gold and Certified partners. This tool allows you to log questions or issues on behalf of you or your customers and you will be guaranteed a response within 48 hours. Note: this is not a service for escalating technical support issues, but more a service that helps you find the answers to questions you might have about the partner program, licensing, where to get information etc.

This is another alternative to the 132058 option 4 number, but your issue will be entered directly into our issue log system and you will be contacted by someone at Microsoft with an answer to your question.

This is a 2 month pilot for Action Pack members in Australia and Singapore only, due to a lot of lobbying from the marketing team in Sydney. So try it and see if it is of value and let me know your comments.

Click here to find out more.