1. Microsoft Partner Network Overview January 2011 Sharon Collins Microsoft Partner Network Marketing Manager U.S. Partner Group

2. The Microsoft Partner Network

3. Competency Benefits Silver Competency Core Benefits Internal Use Software (25 licenses): Windows 7, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007, Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Office SharePoint, and more. Support Services: 20 phone-based advisory hours, unlimited deal-related and business-critical phone support, online support experience, and a five-pack of break/fix incidents. Marketplace Prioritization: Priority listing in Microsoft customer-facing directories and use of the Microsoft Partner Network silver competency logo. Channel Incentives Training: Access to the Partner Learning Center. Gold Competency Core Benefits Internal Use Software (100 licenses): Windows 7, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007, Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Office SharePoint, and much more. Support Services: 50 phone-based advisory hours, unlimited deal-related and business-critical phone support, online support experience, and a five-pack of break/fix incidents. Marketplace Prioritization: Top-priority listing in Microsoft customer-facing directories and use of the Microsoft Partner Network gold competency logo. Channel Incentives Training: Access to the Partner Learning Center. Competency-Specific Benefits Partners with silver competencies and gold competencies are eligible for competency-specific benefits, including extra software licenses. Please refer to the appropriate competency pages or License Calculator for more information.competencyLicense Calculator

4. Requirements Summary for Silver & Gold Competencies RequirementEarn a Silver Competency Differentiate Through a Gold Competency Credentials Two Microsoft Certified Professionals OR Qualifying silver competency application test Four unique, credentialed Microsoft Certified Professionals, not holding any other gold competency OR Qualifying silver and gold competency application tests Revenue Commitment N/A (except for the Microsoft CRM and Microsoft ERP competencies) Reference the following document for specifics: Microsoft Gold Competency Revenue Guidelines Business Training and Assessments (Beginning October 2010) One individual who passes a Licensing overview assessment Licensing overview assessment AND One individual who passes an online Sales and Marketing competency assessment Sales and Marketing competency assessment One individual who passes a LicensingLicensing overview assessment AND Two individuals who pass an online Sales and Marketing competency assessment Customer References Three unique customer references per competency Five unique customer references per competency AND Participate in Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) IndexCustomer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index Commitment Full profile and silver competency membership fee of $1850, good for one or multiple silver competencies Full profile and gold competency membership fee of $3800, good for one or multiple gold competencies

5. Customized MPN Transition Plans for Partners 1. Call the Microsoft Partner Network Experts – via email (msexpert@microsoft.com) or phonemsexpert@microsoft.com (1-800-MPN-SOLVE/1-800-676-7658; just say Expert at the first tele-prompt). 2. Work with an Expert to develop a customized transition plan including: Your organizations status toward achieving new silver or gold competencies based on the competencies currently achieved. o Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) o Exam requirements for those MCPs o Training and Assessments Licensing Assessment Sales & Marketing Assessments o Customer References/CSAT o Revenue commitment guidance, if applicable Review benefits, training & certification promotions available 3. Once you engage with an MPN Expert, you will receive a follow up email customized transition plan. MPN Expert Follow Up EmailCustomized Transition Plan Get Your Customized MPN Transition Plan Today!

6. Appendix

7. Available Now! Identity and Security Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Learning Midmarket Solution Provider Mobility OEM Hardware Portals and Collaboration Project and Portfolio Management Search Server Platform Software Asset Management Software Development Systems Management Unified Communications Virtualization Volume Licensing Web Development Partner Points are retired. Partner levels (Registered, Certified, and Gold Certified) are retired. Microsoft Partner Network: Changes Now Live Partner levels (Registered, Certified, and Gold Certified) are retired. New business assessment requirements are available. New partner logos are available for partner use. Specializations are consolidated into new competencies. New silver competencies and gold competencies, as well as their associated benefits, are available. Both Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider and Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design are available. Microsoft Partner Network competencies launched: Application Integration Application Lifecycle Management Authorized Distributor Business Intelligence Content Management Customer Relationship Management Data Platform Desktop Platform Digital Marketing Enterprise Resource Planning Hosting Platform

8. Microsoft competency brands: 1.Showcase your expertise 2.Are more customer-friendly 3.Provide more exclusivity Branding Overview The Microsoft Partner Network branding will shift to identify your areas of expertise instead of your relationship level with Microsoft, allowing you to better align with the way your customers buy and clearly showcase your business focus through your logo.

9. Benefits Extension Through October 31, 2011 Extending Usage Period for Gold Certified / Certified Branding (Logos) & Software Benefits Extending Usage Period for Gold Certified / Certified Branding (Logos) & Software Benefits To help our Microsoft Gold Certified and Certified partners more easily make the transition to the new competency membership opportunities, we are extending the period that Gold Certified and Certified partners can continue to use the partner logos and the software benefits until October 2011. This extension means that Gold Certified or Certified partners who have an active membership can retain use of their current logos and internal-use software benefits until October 2011, regardless of which membership opportunity they renew into between October 2010 and October 2011. However, the ability to download software and obtain activation keys will be affected depending on the membership chosen. Partner Technical Services benefits are not included in the extension. Further, to retain use of MSDN and TechNet benefits, partners must have at least one silver competency. Full Details on the Partner Portal https://partner.microsoft.com/40148776https://partner.microsoft.com/40148776

10. Revenue Requirement for Gold Competencies Starting October 2010, partners will need to commit to delivering a minimum Microsoft revenue amount based on their respective gold competency(ies) attained. Example of how the revenue commitment will appear in the Partner Membership Center, Competency Summary page. Starting October 2010, to commit to the revenue requirement partners need to click the Agree link. Please refer to the gold competency revenue guidelines for details.gold competency revenue guidelines

11. US Minimum Revenue Commitment by Competency Numbers above are represented in US Dollars.

12. Sales & Marketing Assessments | Licensing Overview Assessment Online Business Assessments required for most competenciesBusiness Assessments Sales & Marketing Assessments Licensing Overview Assessment Online learning paths are available to help you preparelearning paths

13. Curriculum and Assessments by Competency Review details for the Licensing overview assessment and the Sales and Marketing competency assessment.Licensing overview assessmentSales and Marketing competency assessment CategoryMicrosoft Partner Network Competency (New) Licensing Assessment – October 2010 Sales and Marketing Assessment - October 2010 Invitation to Sales Specialist Accreditation DynamicsCRMMay 2011 ERPMay 2011 APOData Platform Application Integration Software DevelopmentMay 2011 Web DevelopmentMay 2011 Application Lifecycle ManagementMay 2011 BPIOBusiness Intelligence (also in APO) Content Management Portals and Collaboration Search Project and Portfolio ManagementMay 2011 Unified Communication Core IOSystems Management Desktop Platform Server Platform Virtualization Identity and Security OtherMid Market Solution Provider Learning Software Asset Management

14. Training and Certification Offers Now extended into 2011! Save up to 30% when you update your certifications with Microsoft Partner Network Competency Exam Packs. You'll also get one free "Second Shot" exam retake per exam voucher.Microsoft Partner Network Competency Exam Packs Take advantage of valuable training offers from our learning partners to help train, certify and showcase your skills.training offers Use the Learning Plan Tool to identify trainings to help you prepare for your certification exams.Learning Plan Tool

15. Next Steps for Partners Be sure to visit the Prepare for the Microsoft Partner Network Portal Page to get familiar with the changes to the network.Prepare for the Microsoft Partner Network Portal Page Contact a Microsoft Partner Network Expert to develop your customized MPN transition plan – via email (msexpert@microsoft.com) or phonemsexpert@microsoft.com (1-800-MPN-SOLVE/1-800-676-7658; just say Expert at the first tele-prompt). Create or update your Pinpoint profile.Pinpoint profile Get started today!