 |  | | November 9, 2009 | | | | You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of your organization’s partnership agreement with Microsoft. You've probably heard that the Microsoft Partner Program has become the Microsoft Partner Network. What does this mean for you? In this edition, we'll update you about the evolution of the Partner Network—the latest vibrant communities, exciting subscriptions, and new competencies aligned to how you sell your products and services.
| |  As market forces, customer demands, and partner needs change, we have evolved to provide more opportunities for you to strengthen your capabilities, serve your customers better, and connect with communities to spark innovation and fresh ideas. | | What You Can Expect
We're delivering on our continued commitment to your success in a variety of ways: | • | By providing communities, where you can engage with other partners based on partner type, industry, and technology. | | • | By rewarding the deepest expertise and performance, and the highest commitment-enabling you to set your business apart from competitors. | | • | By delivering more value to you and your customers, through tailored requirements and benefits that address your specific focus and business model. | | • | By providing more recognition and support, through more ways to engage with Microsoft-each option backed by a powerful customer-facing brand. | | • | By helping your customers find you by aligning how your customers buy and how we go to market together-through competencies, deep skills, and customer satisfaction. | What This Means for You
New opportunities and tools can help you meet your business goals. Certified and Gold Certified Partners who meet the new Microsoft Partner Network requirements can distinguish themselves by earning competencies or advanced competencies. The 30 new competencies that are launching over the next few months will align with Microsoft customer campaigns-to drive greater awareness and enable customers to better understand your areas of expertise. In July 2009, we launched the first of our new competencies: Virtualization. When you attain this competency, you demonstrate that you can deliver a range of Microsoft virtualization solutions to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your customers' IT infrastructures. Get started earning this competency. Later this month, we will launch the second wave of new Microsoft Partner Network competencies, designed to help you develop end-to-end desktop solutions, Windows Server solutions, configuration management, server business continuity, and more. These new competencies are: | • | Desktop Platform. This competency demonstrates your expertise in planning, designing, and deploying desktop platform and infrastructure implementations in a cost-effective, reduced-risk environment. If you've met all the requirements for the Windows Desktop Deployment specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency, you'll automatically qualify for the Desktop Platform competency. | | • | Server Platform. With this competency, you can showcase your ability to design, deploy, and support server platforms. This enables IT to advance business strategy with high levels of availability, agility, and automation. If you've met all the requirements for the Active Directory Solutions or the Storage Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency, you'll automatically qualify for the Server Platform competency. | | • | Systems Management. This competency helps ensure that you can deliver datacenter and desktop solutions that help your customers maximize their IT investments. If you've met all the requirements for the Systems Management Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency, you'll automatically qualify for the Systems Management competency. | With your new competencies, you can take advantage of tailored benefits and make the most of the Microsoft brand. In late 2010, if you're eligible to attain advanced competencies, you can showcase customer value by demonstrating that your best-in-class solutions underwent a rigorous and auditable approval process. Look for requirements for the advanced competencies later this year. Learn more about how your competency or specialization is changing, identify the new requirements, and prepare this year. How You Can Prepare
Three things you should do to prepare: | • | If you're a Gold Certified Partner enrolling or re-enrolling in the program, you must have participated in the Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index within the previous 12 months. This new requirement takes effect on October 31, 2009. | | • | | | • | You must update your marketing material to reflect the competencies and designations you have attained. You can continue to use the logos you have today, and when all competencies are available after October 2010, you can begin to use the new Microsoft Partner Network logos. We will notify you in advance as requirements change to match industry demands and product offerings. You can learn more about the new competency requirements right now. Requirements for advanced competencies will be available later this year. |
 | | RETHINK Challenge: Win a business intelligence solution worth $50,000* What if you could improve profitability using customer data? Wouldn't you like to transform monthly reports into daily visibility? How about leveraging easy-to-manage, innovative applications to increase speed and efficiency? In 500 words, tell us how you would like to use business intelligence to change your business and bottomline - and be one of 3 lucky winners of the Microsoft rethink challenge! Take the challenge to rethink now. | | | Experience the New Efficiency: Get BIG rewards when you sell Microsoft OPEN Licenses! The New Efficiency is where: Cost savings, innovation and productivity come together through IT to deliver operational improvements while amplifying the impact of your people. Click here to find out more | | | Microsoft Partner Awards Night 2009 Every partner plays an important role in enabling our customers with innovative solutions and technologies. The Microsoft Singapore’s Partner Awards is a yearly tribute to our partners for their commitment and contribution to Microsoft and its customers. The Awards also allows us to recognize excellence in our partners in their respective areas of expertise. This year is no different and we are proud to announce our winners at a gala dinner held on October 14th 2009 at Marriott Hotel Orchard. Click here for the list of winners and photos from the event. | |  | | | | | | | | | | | Cost Savings with Microsoft App-V Eliminate application conflicts with Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) technology from the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). PCs with App-V can run applications without the need for you to install each one. Download this white paperand customer presentationto discover how App-V can save your customers US$155 per PC annually (equal to 11.6 percent of its total cost of ownership), and deliver user productivity gains of up to US$125 per PC. | | | Windows 7 Product Images Now Available Access a variety of graphics for the Windows 7 operating system, to help create relevant, professional marketing materials that more effectively promote your solutions and maximize your sales opportunities. | |  | | | | | New Promotion: SQL Server 2008 Business Insight Promotion Offer savings for up to 10 server licenses (or server licenses plus Software Assurance packs) on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Enterprise and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard. Through March 31, 2010, you can drive business insight adoption with this offer for your small- and midsize-business (SMB) customers who are acquiring at least one Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 license. | |  | | | | | New Azure Platform Webinar Series: Everything You Need to Know about Azure This series of on-demand Web seminars starts with the basics of the Windows Azure Platform. Learn the fundamental concepts of cloud computing and Windows Azure. Then cover more advanced topics, such as why you should offer Windows Azure and how to gain tangible benefits when you deploy your applications to the cloud. | | | Now Available! Updated Deployment and Operations Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides Shorten your planning time and deploy correctly the first time with these updated guides. Now the Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for Windows Deployment Services and the IPD Guide for System Center Operations Manager reflect the features and functionalities of Windows Server 2008 R2 and System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. Effectively design and implement deployment and management infrastructure through simple, step-by-step process guidance. | |  | | Windows Server Terminal Services CAL Amendment for ISVs Beginning January 2010, qualified independent software vendors (ISVs) can acquire Windows Server Terminal Services client access licenses (CALs) from Microsoft ISV Royalty Licensing Program distributors. ISVs qualify by signing the Windows Server Terminal Services CAL distribution amendment to the ISV Royalty License and Distribution Agreement. Distributors can help initiate the amendment and must verify an ISV's qualification before distributing Windows Server Terminal Services CALs to the ISV. Download the data sheet to learn more. | | | New Version of LicenseWise Available as of October 29, 2009 Provide the information your customers need to make purchases, when you include SKUs in your Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing quotes. Also, LicenseWise now suggests the numbers and types of servers needed with server modeling for Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, based on the number of desktops you specify. | | | | | Visit the Microsoft Partner Program Portal. © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Forefront, Microsoft Dynamics, MSDN, Windows, Windows Live, Windows Server, and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Trouble accessing a Microsoft Partner Portal link? You may be signed in with another Windows Live ID not associated with the Partner Program. Sign out of any other Windows Live ID-enabled sites, and then sign in with the credentials used to enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program. If you still cannot open the link, please contact our support team. You will receive a response within 72 hours. Newsletter Legal InformationThis newsletter was sent by the: Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, USA 98052 | | | | | |
Microsoft has a rich collection of resources available online so we’ll be surfacing some of the more relevant content resources for ISVs through the ISV Resource Highlights series
Silverlight 4 Training Course
We’ve recently announced the availability of Silverlight 4 Beta and to help get you guys ready, we’ve made the Silverlight 4 Training Course available online.
The Silverlight 4 Training Course includes hands-on-labs, a video and a whitepaper designed to help you learn about the new features in Silverlight 4 focusing on three major areas: Enabling Business Application Development, Empowering Richer Experiences and Moving Beyond the Browser. Some of the new highly anticipated features include Printing, WebCam and Microphone support, custom right-click, rich text, HTML support and access to local files with trusted applications.
http://silverlight.net/learn/handsonlabs/
You can also check out a collection of Hands On Labs on the Silverlight.net site. You’ll find resources for both Silverlight 4 beta, as well as the already released Silverlight 3. If you want to get the tools to get started right away, check out http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted
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| ProxiHomes is a revolutionary property search service which allows you to find properties in any way you want and anywhere you are. We’re not talking about just browsers. There's more. We are everywhere. | 
Now search is not constrained to your browsers. Use your Smart Phone for property Search to get a great user experience. Leverage on its interactive interface to view maps and photos while on the go. And there’s more! We support all platforms! Windows Phones, Blackberry, Nokia phones with WRT support and Phones with Java™ MIDP 2.1, CLDC 1.1 You can download the application straight to your phone with SMS. SMS the keyword<space>Name to 84 333 111 e.g. WMC Gerald Yeo WMC - Windows Phone (Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1, 6.5) WRT - Nokia E-Series, N-Series and more BB - Blackberry JAVA - any phones with JavaTM MIDP 2.1, CLDC1.1 * The application is free. Data charges to your mobile carrier applies when you search for properties. | 
Don’t have a smart phone? You can still search via SMS while on the move. For a small token, you get to search for properties in your preferred district. SMS to 75141
| Format: | SALE <space> CONDO <space> districtnumber
RENT <space> HDB <space> EstateName |
e.g. SALE Condo 9 or RENT HDB Ang Mo Kio
- First Keyword is either SALE or RENT
- Second keyword is either CONDO, HDB, LANDED or COMMERCIAL
- Last keyword would be the district number or estate name for HDB.
* $0.50 applies for successful results returned. Service starts from 20 November 2009. | 
Want to JUST SEARCH without the clutter of the usual jargons, random advertisements and advices? It’s a very intuitive site with great maps to find your properties. | 
Gadgets are not just clock or photos on your desktop. Let Proxihomes gadget watch for your preferred property district and show you the live updated feeds. | Why are we so different?
We are so pervasive that you can find us everywhere. On PC, notebook and handphones. What’s more? Real estate agents just update the properties at a click of their fingers. We’ve broken the constraints to just posting property online from a notebook. Agents just do it with a Phone. As they talk to sellers/landlord, they capture the property information and upload it.
Why should you download the phone application?
Phones with GPS and GPRS connectivity give you rich interfaces like maps and proximity search. If you are not satisfied with the property you are viewing now, just search for those in the proximity and find your way there! You can find the details here: http://www.proxihomes.com/supportedphones.htm | |
We’ve just recently launched a localized MSDN page filled with Singapore Content. Check the new site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-sg/default.aspx. Here' you’ll find links to local blogs, news about upcoming Microsoft events, and of course content from our Local MVPs too!
Check out the site on http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-sg/default.aspx and give us feed back! :)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Singapore/InnovationNEXT/14319176125
I want to get a hold on partners who are eager to start building the next generation web applications. Innovation.NEXT() is a program we are running for dev companies who are eager to take our tools and start building with them. Be a fan of Innovation.NEXT() on facebook and get updates on all the upcoming activities we have.
Keep an eye out for the details! Information on this program will also be published at http://sgpartners.spaces.live.com
// Facebook is becoming quite an interesting platform. Let's see if I can use this to my advantage
Check out these videos of some of the ISVs and VAPs that we've worked with the past few months. We got these guys enabled on Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 and here they are talking about the applications and solutions they've built.
Gurusoft Pte Ltd
http://www.gurusoft.com.sg
Protege Software Pte Ltd
http://www.protegesoft.com
Duration Inc
http://www.durationinc.com/
Here are the slides from the presentations on Partner Tech Day.
"Almost every aspect of what drives the business is changing in some way, shape or form."
- Ray Ozzie, CTO, Microsoft
Over the last 30 years, the dramatic advances in technology have revolutionized the way information is created, stored, shared, and used. As we take advantage of the new opportunities on our various devices and across the Internet, our experiences often become fractured and complex.
Microsoft is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses leverage the flourishing opportunities. Our "Software plus Services" strategy aims at weaving together the best of software and Internet services to provide a new generation of rich, seamless experiences that are personalized, integrated, and available anywhere. The result? Greater freedom of choice and better interactivity!
It's an exciting world. And you're invited!
As we move into the exciting world of "Software plus Services", we invite you to the next edition of Partner Tech Day. This briefing and technology update on Microsoft's Web Platform, has been tailored to help you take control of the next generation web and discover new opportunities for your business. Do join us and make the most of it!
AGENDA
Registration: 8:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.
9:00a.m.
to
9:30a.m.
Enterprise Development in Singapore
As the agency for enterprise development, SPRING Singapore aims to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises to develop a strong base of dynamic and innovative Singapore enterprises. This session will explain SPRING's initiatives to nurture a pro-business environment, facilitate and enhance the innovation and enterprise capabilities of small and medium enterprises.
9:30a.m.
to
10:30a.m.
Keynote: Microsoft's Web Platform Strategy
This Keynote will outline Microsoft's Web Platform and give you a perspective of the different Microsoft Technologies that will enable the next generation applications on the web.
10:30a.m.
to
12:00p.m.
Building Rich Internet Applications (RIA) using Silverlight
In this session, we will discuss how using Microsoft® SilverlightTM -a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in - can help you deliver the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.
1:00p.m.
to
2:15p.m.
Introduction to ASP.NET 3.5
ASP.NET 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008 bring great new functionality around Web development and design that makes building standards based, next generation Web sites easier than ever. From the inclusion of ASP.NET AJAX into the runtime, to new controls, the new LINQ data capabilities, to improved support for CSS, JavaScript and others, Web development has taken a significant step forward.
2:15p.m.
to
3:30p.m.
Introduction to the Microsoft Sync Framework
This session will introduce the Microsoft Sync Framework - a comprehensive synchronization platform enabling collaboration and offline access for applications, services and devices with support for any data type, any data store, any transfer protocol, and network topology. This session will help you understand how the Microsoft Sync Framework enables synchronization to build a synchronization topology.
3:45p.m.
to
5:00p.m.
Exploring the power of Internet Information Services 7.0
More than just a Web server, Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS7) provides a security-enhanced, easy-to-manage platform for developing and reliably hosting Web applications and services. Moreover, IIS7 is a major enhancement to the Windows Web platform and plays a central role in unifying Microsoft's Web platform technologies - ASP.NET, Windows Communication Foundation Web services, and Windows SharePoint Services.
Venue : Microsoft Auditorium,
One Marina Boulevard,
NTUC Centre, Level 21,
Microsoft Singapore
Date : February 22, 2008
Time : 0900hrs to 1700hrs
RSVP
Write to gloria@techmexeventsasia.com (with your Name, Company Name and Contact Numbers) or call Gloria at 6550-8963
Save the date on 2.22.2008 for this quarter's Partner Tech Day. The worldwide web is fast becoming the "wild wide web" so we'll be spending one whole day talking to you guys about the upcoming technologies Microsoft has that will help you tame it. Here's the agenda:
- Microsoft's Web Platform Strategy
- Silverlight 2.0: Enabling Rich Internet Applications
- ASP.NET 3.5: AJAX out of the Box -- But wait, there's more!
- Microsoft Sync Framework: Data Everywhere, In Sync
- IIS7: What's in it for the developers?
Tune in for more details on how to register!
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For those who are interested in the slides for Partner Tech Day held last Dec. 11, 2007 you can download the slides here:
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For all our partners building mobile solutions, we've just launched a site to help enable our partners. Check out the new site at INNOVATE ON Windows Mobile
For those of you who can't wait to get started on getting up to speed on Visual Studio 2008, here's a VPC that contains the VS 2008 Training Kit that you can use to skill up.
Download details: Visual Studio 2008 Rhythm Training Virtual PC (Vista)
For those who can't wait to get their hands on SQL Server 2008, you can download this new patch for VS 2005. Can't wait for the team to get VS 2008 support out, I'm sure it will be soon ^_^
Download details: Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008
The launch of Windows Server 2008 is fast approaching so here are some resources to help you guys ramp up on your application development on Windows Server 2008:
INNOVATE ON Windows Server
www.innovateonwindowsserver.com
Development portal that includes key marketing information and resources such as the Application Compatibility Cookbook, “Works with” and Certification Test Tool downloads and demos, developer resources, and links to pre-release Windows Server 2008 software.
Windows Server Catalog of Tested Products
www.windowsservercatalog.com
Customer-facing index of certified and validated software products, hardware devices and systems.
Technical Support for Application Compatibility and Certification
Tier 1: MSDN Online Forum
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2112925&SiteID=1
Monitored by Microsoft staff who can answer both business and technical questions.
Tier 2 technical support: wslogofb@microsoft.com.
This mailbox is monitored by the logo program development team. There is a 48-hour response time for non-critical issues.
Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/default.mspx
Home page for the Windows Server 2008 operating system, feature overview, training resources and links to the latest evaluation build of Windows Server 2008.
Microsoft is dedicated to help our ISVs deliver profitable solutions for the People Ready Business through combination of 3 elements
1) The largest Market Opportunity for software developers in the industry
2) The most innovative, robust and integrated Platform for partner to build upon
3) A comprehensive set of investments in the partner channel through a Partnership that provides you with the technical, development, marketing and sales tools you need to increase your business potential
In view of that, we have launched INNOVATE ON portal, www.innovateon.com, which provides you with a full range of technical and business resources as you develop your solutions on our technologies. In each product portal, you'll find the steps you need to build your product and take it to market faster.
Ready to get started? Go to www.innovateon.com today! Select a product portal, Enroll and begin to take advantage of all the benefits we offer.
