Hot Topics
July 28, 2010
Microsoft, Adobe Collaborate to Protect Against Online Threats
Today at the Black Hat USA 2010 conference, Microsoft announced that it will extend its Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) to include vulnerability information sharing from Adobe Systems Inc. Microsoft also discussed the new policy of coordinated vulnerability disclosure — a reframing of responsible disclosure — and introduced new tools and guidance that will improve online security for customers.
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
July 22, 2010
New Application Platform Partner Website
Check out the new Microsoft Application Platform Partner website. It provides a centralized location for partners to find Microsoft Application Platform information and resources. And, no login required to view and download the content.
July 20, 2010
Microsoft Partner Network Branding, Naming Updates Revealed at WPC 2010
For an illustrated explanation of Microsoft Partner Network branding updates announced at WPC 2010, check out Eric Ligman’s blog post. For more information about changes to the Network, see these pages on the Partner Portal, Prepare for Changes to the Microsoft Partner Network and Microsoft Partner Network FAQ.
July 20, 2010
Try the Windows Azure Platform: No Charge!
Try the Windows Azure platform with minimal cost—and risk— through special offers available to Microsoft Partners. The Windows Azure Platform Introductory Special allows you to try a base amount of the Windows Azure platform at no charge. When you subscribe, you’ll receive a base level of Windows Azure compute hours, storage, and data transfers, and a 3 month trial Microsoft SQL Azure database. You will also get access to the Windows Azure platform AppFabric, which provides Service Bus and Access Control services. Note, however, that if you incur any usage over the introductory base level, you will be charged at standard Microsoft Partner Network member rates.
July 14, 2010
Microsoft Helps Service Providers Capture Cloud Services Opportunities
This week at WPC 2010, Microsoft is highlighting market opportunities for hosting and communications service providers as adoption of cloud services among small and midsize business (SMBs) continues to rise. Microsoft is helping service providers take advantage of those opportunities through its software, services and programs that enable them to become trusted advisors and full-service IT providers to businesses.
“Microsoft sees service providers becoming more important as the cloud becomes more predominant. Given their experience in deploying and selling infrastructure and software as a service, businesses will depend on them for IT as a service,” said John Zanni, general manager of Worldwide Hosting for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “The next step for service providers is to look beyond their current hosted offerings to become full-service IT providers and trusted advisors to businesses.”
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
July 13, 2010
New Microsoft Channel Chief Charts Course to Cloud Profitability for Partners
Jon Roskill, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group, addressed the Microsoft partner community for the first time today, unveiling business strategies and resources to help partners of all types seize new opportunities in the cloud. In his keynote address, Roskill, who took the helm earlier this month, spoke to partners about the industry transformation that is under way with the emergence of the cloud, and the opportunity that creates for partners to grow and evolve their businesses.
“The industry is at an inflection point, and Microsoft is leading the charge through what will be one of the biggest industry transformations of our time,” Roskill said. “Partners have always been fundamental to Microsoft’s business, and we are committed to helping our partners adapt and find the right cloud opportunities so we can grow and succeed together.”
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
July 12, 2010
Microsoft Demonstrates Next-Generation CRM Release at Worldwide Partner Conference
At WPC 2010, Microsoft showcased new capabilities that are coming in its next-generation customer relationship management (CRM) solution. The highly anticipated Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 — formerly code-named “CRM5” — will be publicly available as a beta release in September 2010, beginning with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.
Microsoft also announced that Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online will be available in 40 markets and 41 languages by the end of 2010. In addition to 32 markets announced in April, the following eight markets are slated to be covered by Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online: Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cyprus, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 will deliver “The Power of Productivity” through familiar, intelligent and connected experiences for people inside and outside an organization. This release will also enable partners, including independent software vendors, global system integrators and value-added resellers, to quickly create, package and distribute Microsoft Dynamics CRM extensions and custom solutions.
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
July 12, 2010
Partners “All In” to Cloud Computing at WPC 2010
Top executives from Microsoft talked with more than 14,000 attendees today about the impact of cloud computing and the myriad of ways it will enable partners to deliver compelling new services to their customers. The company made several announcements, including the introduction of the Windows Azure platform appliance, the first turnkey cloud services platform for deployment in customer and service provider datacenters. Dell Inc., eBay Inc., Fujitsu Ltd. and HP are early adopters of a limited production release of the appliance.
Microsoft’s 640,000 partners generated more than 6 million highly skilled jobs and approximately $537 billion in local revenues last year. Top of mind for these partners who sell, customize, build upon, implement and support Microsoft solutions worldwide is the industry’s shift to cloud computing and their continued growth. In his keynote address, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, highlighted the critical role partners will continue to play in driving the IT industry’s transformation to cloud computing and helping fuel economic growth and job creation in local communities around the world.
Read complete article at Microsoft News Center.
July 9, 2010
Imagine Cup Winners Announced, Thai Team Takes Top Honors
Projects that help the hearing impaired, cut wasted electricity use, and use social media to promote volunteerism won the three major awards handed out at the 8th Annual Imagine Cup World Finals.
Team Skeek from Thailand won in Software Design for its project to translate sign language, SmarterME from Taiwan won in Embedded Development with a device that targets a home’s biggest energy users, and By Implication from the Philippines won in Game Design for a game that uses to social media to help get young people interested in volunteering.
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
July 1, 2010
Teams Traveling to Imagine Cup Already Saving World
Many of the students competing in next week’s Imagine Cup World Finals in Warsaw, Poland, are bringing projects already being used in the real world. One team is helping rescuers repair earthquake damage in Haiti and another is measuring the way desert is encroaching on habitable land in Jordan.
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
