@Multizone

New, improved Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)

Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) is designed to provide opportunities, expertise and community. It has been made over from the ‘Partner Program’ to reflect the complexity of partner expertise, allowing and rewarding specialisation.

MPN is expanding in October 2010 and encouraging any partner to join the conversation using real time connections through social networking, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the Microsoft Partner Network Community itself.

Four steps to success in MPN - profiles and listings, specialisations, silver and gold competencies

1. Completing a profile is the first step to deepening the relationship between partner and Microsoft and in return benefits become available such as tailored newsletters, access to the partner learning centre, the PinPoint system and solutions finder where partners and their capabilities are listed, partner sales and marketing and demo resources and online technical communities.
2. Specialisation is the next step, and becoming a part of the Small Business Specialist community (SBSC) helps partners specify that they have expertise in delivering solutions to small and midsize businesses. In return again even more resources including the SBSC logo become available to help grow business, find new revenue streams, and capitalize on market opportunities.
   • Optionally, SBSC partners can purchase a special edition of the Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider subscription. The Action Pack is also available for design and development with a different mix of products.
3. Beyond SBSC there is the possibility to Earn a Silver Competency. Silver competencies help partners demonstrate their expertise and capabilities. Competencies are aligned to Microsoft customer campaigns to address specific customer demands. Multizone recommends that partners focus only on competencies that connect to Microsoft business objectives for the partners intended go to market.
4. Gold competencies, are the top of the attainment tree in the new MPN. They demonstrate deep technology excellence and best-in-class solutions. They are reserved for the most effective partners and have the highest level of network support and benefits.

It is possible to attain SBSC, Silver and Gold competencies at the same time.

Actions for current Microsoft registered, certified or gold partners to take in light of Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) announcements

Registered partners should involve themselves with the online MPN communities, subscribe if appropriate to the Action Pack, MSDN, and/or TechNet programs, and consider whether to think about attaining SBSC or a Silver competency.

SBSC partners should involve themselves with the online MPN communities, must subscribe to the Action Pack, and and if desired subscribe to MSDN, and/or TechNet programs, and should consider whether to think about attaining a Silver or Gold Midmarket Solution Provider competency.

Certified partners should involve themselves with the online MPN communities, and should determine which new Silver or Gold competency best meets their requirements, then take steps to attain it.

Gold certified partners should participate in the Customer Satisfaction Index Survey (CSAT) before their next enrolment date and should involve themselves with the online MPN communities, and determine which new Silver or Gold competency best meets their requirements, then take steps to attain it.

MPN Competencies

It certainly seems to Multizone that Gold Competency will be harder to achieve than Gold Certified was previously.

Resources

https://partner.microsoft.com/prepareMPN

http://digitalwpc.com