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January 10, 2013 - 6:49 AM
If you are a client looking to start work on an IT project (one that uses Microsoft enterprise products like SharePoint, Dynamics, or even just plain old SQL Server) you are probably looking for a company to help you out. Maybe you need specialist Windows hosting skills, maybe you need some .NET programmers, or maybe you just need help with your business requirements. Their are numerous ways to go about this process, and numerous criteria you should be judging partners by. But one thing you can’t ignore is the “Microsoft Partner Network“.
The same goes if you are a Microsoft partner company. You want potential clients to be able to find you and your company quickly and easily. Are you making the most of the partner network?
Let’s have a look at 3 ways the partner network can help those searching for a partner company, as well as partners themselves.
Did you know the Microsoft Partner Network has over 600,000 members?
1. Competencies and certifications
The first thing anyone who wants to work with a Microsoft partner should look for is the competencies that partner possesses. Partners don’t need to have competencies to be in the partner network. Nor do they need them to call themselves a partner. But the vast majority will have moved up the ranks to the level of competency partner. Partners can hold “Gold” or “Silver“ competencies in a number of different areas. Examples include “Small business” or “Hosting“. Partners gain competencies by demonstrating their skills in the specific area to Microsoft. Staff pass exams to prove they know what they are talking about, and the partner gets to call themselves a gold or silver partner in that area. Simple really.
So if you are looking for a good Microsoft SharePoint partner, you might want to start by asking what competencies they hold in the areas relevant to you. Are they gold, or silver partners? Are staff sitting more exams? Are the company about to hire a guy to work on your project who already holds a bunch of qualifications? A competency doesn’t guarantee your new Intranet will be a hit, but it is a good way to start assessing who is going to build it in the first place.
If you are a partner you need to make regular checks on your competency status. Do new staff have additional competencies, do leaving staff go with competencies that where important to you?
2. Tap into Microsoft’s vast resources
Microsoft spends billions of dollars supporting its various partners. It spends this money in a number of different ways. Some of it is spent helping partners to network and market themselves. Some of it is spent helping fund (or part fund) projects and client work. Money goes on training staff, new tools, and product support.
What does this mean for someone looking to work with a Microsoft partner? Well simply it means by working with a company in the Microsoft Partner Network they can be assured of having the backup and support of Microsoft if it is needed. If a project is technically challenging, Microsoft might provide some resources. If a project uncovers issues with existing Microsoft software, they will investigate. Potential clients can think of the partner network, in this instance, as a safety net. Existing partners too should be grateful for this safety net.
3. Web tools to help locate partners
Often potential customers will hit the web, likely Google, to try and find a suitable partner. However their are better tools out there, designed especially for the Microsoft Partner Network. It goes without saying that if partners want to be found they really ought to make sure their presence on these tools is up to scratch. Let’s look at two:
Microsoft PinPoint - pinpoint.microsoft.com
This is Microsofts own site to “help identify trusted partners”. The site contains details of pretty much every partner out there, and users can search by location easily enough. The site includes product details, and client reviews. Microsoft has been gradually rolling out a number of product focused “Marketplaces” based on the PinPoint platform, so we might see actual downloads and a transactional element soon.
PartnerPulse - www.partnerpulse.co
Ok so we had to plug ourselves. PartnerPulse is a community of Microsoft partners. A bit like PinPoint, users can search to find any partner across the globe. However that’s where the similarities stop. Partners on PartnerPulse have their own profiles, featuring a modern look and feel. Profiles contain all kinds of useful information, including videos and pictures. But the big difference is each partner has their own activity wall, where anyone can post what we call “Pulses” (find out more here). Pulses are short statements – news stories, updates, questions, or comments. They can include images, links, even ratings. We hope to see company Pulses being used by partner and website visitors alike to interact and engage.
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