Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) (Glossary Definition)

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The Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) is available and tailored to companies in countries across the world.

This particular glossary definition relates to the USA offering. The programs are broadly similar globally. So wherever you are from, the glossary entry will give you a flavor of the opportunities that are available to you.

The Microsoft Partner Network has recently had an overhaul to make the program easier to navigate. The emphasis in the MPN program is one of community.

Benefits

There are many levels to the Microsoft Partner Network program, but they are fairly simple to navigate. The community at a base level is open to anyone who is interested. However, as you progress through the program and graduate to higher tiers, the rewards and benefits increase.

The main benefits of the Microsoft Partner Network are:

• early access to new technologies

• training in technical, marketing, and sales skills

• online market place

• real time networking opportunities with your peers and Microsoft

The Microsoft Partner Network program levels are described below.

Joining the Microsoft Partner Network

This is an extremely simple process that takes about 15 minutes. It involves signing up using your Windows Live ID, completing a company profile, signing an agreement, and connecting to the community via various social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

You also participate in online incentives at this stage and have access to funding options for your clients.

Purchasing a Subscription

The next stage of partnering with Microsoft is to subscribe to one of their Action Packs.

Microsoft has specialized subscriptions targeted at solution providers/VARs, as well as one for software developers or Web site designers. In order to qualify, you have to pass an online assessment every two years. The cost of the Action Pack subscription is $329 ($429 with media that ships) and includes 10 licenses for several of Microsoft’s most popular desktop and server based operating systems and application suites.

Additional benefits of joining include access to the Microsoft financing program for your customers, listing in the Microsoft Partner Network directory, eligibility to join other community forums, access to the Small Business Specialist community toolkit, online incentives, extensive training resources, and evaluation software.

Silver Competency

To gain Silver Competency, you need to prove your competencies from a list of 27 and be able to provide at least three references for each competency from satisfied clients.

You also need to have people working in your organization or contracted to it who have the following qualifications

• 2x Microsoft Certified Professional Certificates

• 1x Microsoft Licensing Overview Assessment

• 1x Sales and Marketing Competency Assessment

With the Silver Competency, you pay an annual fee, which gives you access to

• previews of up-and-coming technologies

• internal-use software (25 licenses)

• more input for your marketing campaigns

• online and licensing incentive programs

• financing options

• enhanced technical support

Gold Competency

Gold Competency can be applied for once you are in a position to make a minimum revenue commitment, which must be achieved and then reviewed annually by submitting updated business plans to Microsoft.

You also need to have people working in your organization or contracted to it who have the following qualifications:

• 4x Microsoft Certified Professional Certificates

• 1x Microsoft Licensing Overview Assessment

• 2x Sales and Marketing Competency Assessments

For Gold Competency, you also have to provide seven customer references with full participation in Microsoft’s customer satisfaction survey index. 

Just as with Silver Competency, there is an annual fee associated with Gold Competency which gives you access to

• previews of up and coming technologies

• internal-use of 100 software licenses

• more input for your marketing campaigns

• online, solution and licensing incentive programs

• financing options

• enhanced technical support 

Getting Started

To learn more about the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN), Silver Competency, and Gold Competency, visit this page on Microsoft Partner Network Comptenencies.

Does your company participate in the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)? And if so, at which level? Silver Competency? Gold Competency? How has your company benefited from this partnership? What could it stand to improve upon? How does the Microsoft Partner Network compare to other IT reseller channel partner programs? Please share your thoughts in the Comments area below.

Creative Commons Image Source: flickr Microsoft Sweden