1. Practical IT Research that Drives Measurable Results Reduce Costs & Strengthen My Business with the Microsoft Partner Network Put Microsoft to work for you! Info-Tech Research Group1 Partner success IS Microsoft success! According to Microsoft, 96% of their sales are obtained through channel partners Get in the ring knowing Microsoft is in your corner Partner success IS Microsoft success! According to Microsoft, 96% of their sales are obtained through channel partners Get in the ring knowing Microsoft is in your corner

2. Your business has to work very hard to: Create business opportunities Create demand for your product and service Achieve your business goals and objectives Even if you don’t see yourself as a “Microsoft Shop”, if you qualify, if your business is eligible (and we will help you make that determination) then it is the recommendation of Info-Tech that you join the Partner Network. Introduction Info-Tech Research Group2 You are an IT focused business You sell most of your product/service to third parties Your product/service is based on MS tools or technologies If : You like to SAVE MONEY You like to have support when you need it You like to provide relevant staff training Even if you don’t think you qualify read this to be certain!

3. Executive Summary Info-Tech Research Group3 You may think that the Microsoft Partnership is just for businesses that actually sell Microsoft software, or you may think it is for businesses that directly expand the capabilities of existing Microsoft tools and technologies, like SharePoint … you would be wrong ! This solution will show you that the Partner Network exists for businesses that either directly or indirectly have influence on Microsoft tools and technologies.  If your customer oriented business is IT focused, and you operate it with Microsoft tools and technologies, then in general, you qualify. This solution will show you how to determine your eligibility and recommend your first steps into the Partner Network to start saving thousands and thousands of dollars against your budget.  Giving may be better than receiving, but in the case of the Partner Network, being on the receiving end of this can be the ticket to keeping your business at the top of its game.  You will likely be thinking there must be a catch, that nothing this good comes without strings attached. This solution will show you that there really is no downside to membership, a little work on your part, and a lot of free stuff from Microsoft to help you run your business.  2010 brings a complete redesign to the Partner Network. Everything you think you knew is being changed. In some cases it is easier to get involved, but for those businesses striving for the top spot, there is more work and a revenue commitment required.

4. All the rewards are great, but saving thousands and thousands of dollars on software is the draw for most partners Info-Tech Research Group4 We’ll explain in more detail later about how the program is structured and the individual benefits but to see your potential savings, have a look at this ….. As a registered member, you can purchase a Microsoft Action Pack Subscription for @ $329.00 USD Included with Action Pack is over 35 software titles, most providing 10 licenses each. Let’s look at just a couple of those titles: retail value for 1 license retail value for 10 licenses incl. with MAPS You paid only $329 - that’s a saving of $25069.40 (on only 4 titles!) *Retail cost source - Microsoft

5. Plan Enable Create Demand Sell Service Retain Engage with a partner that can truly help your business grow with innovation, profitability, and a solid competitive advantage Info-Tech Research Group5 With your customers as the focus, you can turn Microsoft into a strategic business partner that can help you grow! With early access to the latest technologies you can get in the game sooner Assisted financing for increasing your sales and cash flow Access to expert technical resources and free technical support to assist and improve your customer service Utilize independent and impartial customer satisfaction surveys to aid in achieving your customer loyalty Increase your relevant knowledge through access to business and technical online courses and training labs By using active guidance, support and assisted sales and marketing programs

6. Registered Certified Gold Just like air-miles, collecting partner points in the current program will get you more Info-Tech Research Group6 Gain access to industry information Network with other partner businesses No cost to enroll as a registered member Can purchase subscriptions to action packs and empower programs to receive free internal use software licenses Business is listed on Partner directories Access to online training and support Can become a small business specialist Receive 25-50 internal use licenses for a wide range of software titles Gain access to free technical support Access to online training - free Access to technical experts - free Increased visibility with priority in Partner directories Can display Microsoft Certified Partner logos Nominal yearly fee Receive 50-100 internal use licenses for a wide range of software titles Assigned a Partner Account Manager Access to technical support & experts - free Top priority listing in Partner Directories Nominal yearly fee Partner StatusPoint RequirementsBenefit Highlights 0-49 50-119 120+

7. For less than $1 per day you can save thousands of dollars off your software budget for internal use software Info-Tech Research Group7 Bizspark If your core business is a software based product or service, and you are a startup, privately held and less than three years old then this is the subscription you should consider. WebSpark If you have fewer than 10 employees and you are a professional service business that provides web development and design for your clients, then this is the subscription for you. DreamSpark If you are a student, a teacher, or an administrator for a secondary, or post-secondary school you can access software, and training material for no cost or commitment. This is ideally suited for students who think they might enter into a career in technology. Action Pack – Development & Design Action Pack – Development & Design If your business is primarily focused on software development or web design, and you have less than 100 employees, then this is your best subscription choice. Action Pack – Solution Provider Action Pack – Solution Provider If you are a solution provider, a value added reseller, a small business specialist, or you simply don’t fit with the requirements for any of the other subscriptions but you meet the eligibility requirements in general, then this is the action pack for you. Each subscription has specific criteria for eligibility, the Spark’s have tighter eligibility rules but ask for no upfront cost. Bizspark & WebSpark only pay $100 after three years! Info-Tech Insight:

8. Appendix Info-Tech Research Group8 Case study – Small Business Web Development Access to experts and free technical support - priceless Access to experts and free technical support - priceless Case study – New Business - Media Usage & Reporting Being a partner doesn’t always have to be obvious Being a partner doesn’t always have to be obvious Case study – Eligible, but unaware Capitalize on the benefits, your bank balance will thank you Capitalize on the benefits, your bank balance will thank you Tools – Info-Tech Microsoft Partner Subscription Eligibility QuizInfo-Tech Microsoft Partner Subscription Eligibility Quiz Tools – Info-Tech Microsoft Partner Competency GuideInfo-Tech Microsoft Partner Competency Guide

9. Info-Tech MS Partner Subscription Eligibility Tool Take the quiz to see your best choice for entry into the network Info-Tech Research Group Would you describe your business as: (select the one that best describes your business) Software Entrepreneur Independent Software Vendor Web Design/Development Web Hosting Service/Solution Provider Value Added Provider/Reseller go back

10. For Web Development and Design gain the visibility, support and software you need to grow your business Info-Tech Research Group No Upfront Cost Key Benefits: Support: Professional support from Microsoft and connection to WebsiteSpark Network Partners, Hosting Partners, and other Web developers and designers with similar technologies or business models A dedicated community system that can provide a wide range of technical and business resources for every Web professional need Support Benefits include: Two professional support incidents Free online training Managed newsgroups on MSDN Access to community support through connections with Network Partners, Hosting Partners and peers Software Support Business Opps WebSpark is a new subscription from Microsoft specifically for professional web development and design service companies Provides a means to attract new business opportunities through global partners and customers Provides support and training as well as full version software for development and production Is a sponsor based program putting businesses in touch with three levels of relationships (sponsors, hosting & support ) If you are a web dev/design  WebSpark. go back

11. Software: access to Microsoft's latest development tools, platform technologies, and desktop software including three copies of Visual Studio with MSDN and: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Windows 7 Professional Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise and Windows Web Server 2008 R2 Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Standard Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Workgroup If your business is development and design, you are not going to want to be without this subscription Info-Tech Research Group Microsoft Action Pack – Development & Design Click here to see full list of software go back @ $429.00 USD Key Benefits: Software Support Visibility Receive software by download or by physical media Access to multiple copies of Visual Studio Professional with MSDN Receive 10 hours of free phone based support for technical design and development Access to online training, webinars, and hands-on labs to better train your staff Your company gets listed in the Microsoft directories searched by thousands of potential new clients for your business

12. Info-Tech MS Partner Competency Guide With 30 competencies you should have no problem fitting in Info-Tech Research Group Core Infrastructure Business Productivity Application Platform CRM and ERP Cross Platform Solutions Small to Midsize Business Digital Home Your customer base includes customers working with or running: Windows Office Xbox Your role is to provide home entertainment and information systems. Your business may be referred to as a digital agency, enabling your clients to connect with various devices. Your business is involved with: Home entertainment Competency not currently active. Planned for launch –May 2011 Digital Home Digital Marketing Volume Licensing Volume Licensing OEM Competency might be for you if Project & Portfolio Management Project & Portfolio Management Authorized Distributor Authorized Distributor Learning Hosting Platform ISV Software Asset Management Software Asset Management Mobility

13. The number 1 reason businesses get involved is to get access to this list of software Info-Tech Research Group Microsoft BizTalk Server 2009 Enterprise Edition (Single Processor) Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack R2 2009 (Does not include Asset Inventory Service) Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Enterprise Server (+CALs) Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 External Connector license Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional Server (+CALs) Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional (user subscription license) Microsoft financial and supply chain management solution of choice Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint Server Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) Microsoft Groove Server 2010 Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 Server (+CALs) Microsoft ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition (single processor) Microsoft MapPoint 2009 North American Maps or Microsoft MapPoint 2009 European Maps Microsoft Office Professional 2010 Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Microsoft Project Professional 2010 Microsoft Project Server 2010 (+CALs) Microsoft Search Server 2010 (+CALs) Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise Edition CALs (includes Standard Edition CALs) Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites Info-Tech MS Partner Competency Guide go back next Generally 25 Core Licenses are granted with your first competency and 100 with an advanced competency