Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure of upcoming program changes

Transcription

1 Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure of upcoming program changes December 2013

2 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE As the name suggests, the Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide is your primary source for the latest changes to the Microsoft Partner Network for all membership levels. To make it as easy as possible for you to use, the information in this guide has been divided into four categories: Microsoft Partner Network news and announcements Program-wide changes that affect all partner levels Microsoft Action Pack subscription changes Competency changes We recommend that you review the first two categories and then move to the applicable partner level section for more specific information. Each section is identified by an icon and color-coded to make it easy to find what you re looking for. You can find specific competency requirement changes in the Competency Benefits and Requirements Appendix. Keep in mind that this document focuses on upcoming changes; to understand current benefits and requirements, refer to the Microsoft Partner Portal. Note: the Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide is updated and published quarterly. This edition of the guide reflects the latest timing for change implementation planned for February Some items are subject to change. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 2

3 CONTENTS News and announcements Program-wide changes Important update to previously announced Microsoft Partner Network program changes 4 Cloud program changes Other program-wide changes coming in February 2014 Recent changes now in effect Updates to partner incentives Action Pack changes Competency changes Redesign of the Action Pack subscription New Action Pack subscription benefits Internal-use software benefits changes for Action Pack Resource Centers An update to announced competency changes Internal-use software benefits changes for competencies Other cross-competency changes Competency updates overview Appendix of competency benefits and requirements changes Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 3

4 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Important update to previously announced Microsoft Partner Network program changes Following compelling partner feedback and a thorough review of our planned roadmap, we ve decided to prioritize the timing of certain program updates communicated at the Worldwide Partner Conference in July These changes were originally scheduled for January You can read the following announcement from Phil Sorgen, and refer to a blog post by Julie Bennani for more background. This guide will outline those changes still being planned for February Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 4

5 PROGRAM-WIDE CHANGES Cloud program changes Microsoft Cloud Partner programs are incubation programs created to support partners in developing a business around a brand new offering. We invested in partners who started this journey with us early. Many of these partners have built successful cloud practices, and cloud is now part of all their customer conversations. Thus, it is time to integrate these programs into the Microsoft Partner Network, which will be done through a phased approach over the course of the next year. If you are a Cloud Essentials partner, our industry-leading Cloud Essentials program is being integrated into the new Microsoft Action Pack subscription to provide new resources that are more tailored to your business models. Cloud Essentials will be retired on June 30, 2014, so we recommend that partners enroll in Action Pack or attain a competency to access to cloud benefits. If you are a Cloud Accelerate partner, the Cloud Accelerate program will continue for the time being and will offer the following key benefits: Cloud accelerator incentives Cloud Accelerate logo Office 365 dedicated partner support Note that Cloud Accelerate partners will continue to be able to use the Cloud Accelerate logo for the life of the program. New Cloud Accelerate partners will no longer receive cloud internal-use software licenses as part of the program. Integrating cloud internal-use software licenses as a core benefit enables the Microsoft Partner Network to: Streamline and improve the partner experience by consolidating all benefits into one location. Update the internal-use software license system to deliver the power of choice. Partners can choose to deploy on-premises or in the cloud. Provide cloud internal-use software licenses to all Action Pack subscribers and competency partners, which will empower them to accelerate growth. We have observed that partners who utilize their internal-use software benefits see two times more success selling those products. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 5

6 Cloud Accelerate partners who have Action Pack subscriptions will have the opportunity to join the silver or gold Small Business or Midmarket Solution Provider competency and increase their internal-use software benefits by paying the competency fee. All other requirements will be waived. This opportunity will be exclusive to our Cloud Accelerate partners as a way to recognize your expertise, reward you for the total impact you have in the marketplace, and deliver what you need to help your business thrive. To take advantage of this opportunity, contact your Regional Service Center for assistance. If you are a Cloud Deployment partner or would like to be one, the current requirements for the Cloud Deployment program will remain unchanged for the time being. If you meet the following requirements, you will automatically be assigned Cloud Deployment partner status within the Microsoft Partner Network. No action is necessary. The requirements are as follows: Achieve Cloud Accelerate status. Attain a Silver or Gold Collaboration and Content, Communications, Devices and Deployment, Messaging, or Project and Portfolio Management competency. Complete one Office 365 deployment of more than 150 seats within the past 18 months, by March 31, If you are a Windows Azure Circle partner, the program will continue for the time being, and benefits will remain the same. You can access cloud internal-use software benefits through your competency benefits package. Internal-use software licenses: Partners will be able to deploy Microsoft internal-use software licenses provided by Microsoft Cloud Partner programs until the February launch. If partners choose not to deploy their internal-use software licenses before the February launch, they will forego their benefits. Internal-use software licenses for all Microsoft Cloud Partner programs will expire on June 30, Partners must move their current internal-use software license tenants to the new internal-use license process and entitlements available through the Microsoft Action Pack subscription or competencies before June 30, Delegated Administration Privileges: This resource will be available to partners who have signed the Microsoft Online Services Partner Agreement (MOSPA) and have an active internal-use software license subscription. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 6

7 Other program-wide changes coming in February 2014 Country qualifications The updated Partner Network requirements related to qualifying partner practices by country or geographic grouping will be launched in the third quarter of calendar year The exact date will be communicated at least six months before the launch through a direct communication to partners who will be affected. Windows Embedded Partner Program transition In February 2014, partners with an active membership in the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP) will make the transition into the Microsoft Partner Network. Current WEPP partners will be migrated into the Microsoft Action Pack subscription or a competency, based on their qualifications. WEPP partners have been contacted directly about their organizations transition path. Partners who accept their transition path will retain their active status for one year, until the renewal of their program membership. New anticorruption training requirement Microsoft holds itself to high standards for legal compliance and ethical business practices, and expects its partners to do the same. The Microsoft Partner Network Agreement outlines specific requirements for compliance with anticorruption laws. To help you meet these requirements, beginning in January 2014, we are requiring partners to provide anticorruption training to all employees who resell, distribute, or market Microsoft products or services. If your company does not already have anticorruption training, you will have access to an online course through the Partner Learning Center to satisfy the requirement. Recent changes now in effect Business-critical phone support As of November 2013, we implemented a limitation on the number of business-critical phone support incidents available to gold and silver partners. There are no changes to the current business-critical phone support limits for Microsoft Action Pack subscribers. The limits for competency partners are 15 incidents for gold partners, and 10 incidents for silver partners. Gold and silver competency partners will retain the 5-Pack benefit that is available today. Partners can also get no-cost support through the Partner Support Community. Alternatively, partners can use their advisory hours for personalized deployment and development guidance from experienced Microsoft technical consultants. Support beyond these limits is available by purchasing Premier Support for Partners plans. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 7

8 New sign-in experience for Visual Studio 2013 Since the release of Microsoft Visual Studio 2013, users with non-perpetual licenses for Visual Studio Professional 2013, Visual Studio Premium 2013, and Visual Studio Ultimate 2013 are required to log in at least once every 30 days with a valid Microsoft account (formerly called a Windows Live ID) that is associated to an active MSDN subscription. All licenses offered as a benefit through the Microsoft Partner Network are non-perpetual, so partners using their MSDN subscriptions must sign in. Partners who continue to use Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 will not experience this new sign-in requirement. One of the benefits of signing in is that settings will automatically be roamed across all Visual Studio 2013 or later installations for the user. There will be no changes to the behavior for other products (Windows, Windows Server, and Office) within MSDN subscriber downloads. Small Business Specialist Community program retirement Effective November 2013, the current Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) has been retired. Program enrollment, branding, and additional benefits are no longer be available to partners as part of the Microsoft Partner Network. However, the Small Business competency is available as an option for small business focused partners. Plans are also being finalized to provide a partner-to-partner community for small business focused partners. Additional details will be announced in Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 8

9 Updates to partner incentives Microsoft partner incentives are designed to help partners develop robust businesses that align to key Microsoft priorities. At the beginning of each fiscal year, these incentives are refreshed to adjust to changing business needs and priorities. Guides for each incentive program are available on July 1 and describe the new terms and conditions for the coming year. The following table outlines the portfolio of incentives as of January 1, Incentive type Description Small and medium business The Managed Reseller and Commercial Distributor incentives are offered to accelerate Office 365 adoption, drive annuity contracts for growth and incubation products, and provide solution accelerators for strategic workloads. Enterprise Software Asset Management Online The Major and Corporate Account incentives are combined, providing cross-segment consistency, increased investment in the cloud and public sector, and streamlined reporting and eligibility. The goal is to help partners drive Enterprise Agreement penetration and support the co-selling model with Microsoft. The Software Asset Management (SAM) incentive extends the previous year s incentive, which requires statements of work for SAM engagements to recruit more SAM-certified partners at the gold competency level, across multiple partner types. Microsoft Online incentives include Windows Azure, Channel Developer, and Online Services Advisor incentives to accelerate customer transition to Microsoft Cloud Services, drive customer adoption and seats through key online offerings, and expand the Cloud Partner ecosystem. Solution Microsoft solution incentives will be retired on January 1, SPLA Reseller The Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) Reseller incentive helps drive platform adoption and reward operational excellence in reporting, compliance, reach, and productivity. The portfolio of incentives goes live on a rolling schedule as follows: July 1, 2013 Managed Reseller Distributor Online Services Advisor Windows Azure October 1, 2013 Enterprise Solution SAM Services November 1, 2013 Channel Developer January 1, 2014 SPLA Reseller Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 9

10 MICROSOFT ACTION PACK CHANGES Redesign of the Action Pack subscription Microsoft Action Pack subscriptions are constantly evolving to address your business needs and improve your partner experience. As part of this evolution, in February 2014, cloud benefits will be integrated into the Action Pack subscription. As an Action Pack subscriber, you will have access to marketing, technical, and readiness tools that can help you capitalize on the growing cloud opportunities within the small and medium business (SMB) segment. In addition, over the next year, the Microsoft Partner Network will be making additional changes to the Action Pack subscription model, which will provide more choices, flexibility, and value for partners. The new Action Pack subscription will replace the current Action Pack Development and Design subscription and Action Pack Solution Provider subscription options with one universal subscription that includes resources and benefits relevant to all partners who serve SMB customers, with emphasis on cloud services. In February 2014, the Microsoft Partner Network will launch a new, more-robust version of the Microsoft Action Pack subscription. New Action Pack subscription benefits When partners renew their subscriptions, they will automatically be enrolled in the new Action Pack, and partners who sign up for an Action Pack subscription before the new one is launched will have access to the new Action Pack benefits immediately. These benefits include: Internal-use software licenses* to support up to a 10-person organization deployed through Microsoft Cloud Services or on-premises software. Technical support, which includes access to online and telephone support for presales, technical, and deployment issues. Training, through more than 2,000 training courses about selling, configuring, and implementing Microsoft products and services, along with savings on Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams. Developer tools, including world-class Visual Studio developer tools, and MSDN subscriptions to support development across Microsoft platforms, including desktop, phone, server, and web. Bing Ads credits, with US$600 in Bing Ads credits (US$100 for partners, US$500 for your customers) to market products, services, and solutions. Submit requests to receive Bing Ads credits. Campaigns, with exclusive access to Partner Marketing Center materials for Microsoft products and services. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 10

11 Internal-use software benefits changes for Action Pack Cloud services benefits Effective February 2014, Microsoft Action Pack subscribers will have access to Microsoft cloud services internal-use software licenses. Partners will have access to the same core benefits as today. Review your license statement in the Partner Network Digital Distribution Portal for details about your current core internal-use software licenses benefits. In addition, partners will have the opportunity to exchange current on-premises core benefits for access to Microsoft Cloud Services internal-use software benefits. The following table shows available internal-use software benefits for Microsoft cloud services, effective February Cloud service SKU Action Pack benefit Comments Office 365 E3 5 seats Each seat of Office 365 used in exchange for one on-premises client access license (CAL) (Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, and Lync). Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online CRMIUR (similar to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional) 5 seats (requires additional Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Office 365 sales) Requires an active Certified Software Advisor agreement. (Find more details through the Microsoft Dynamics Certified Software Advisor Fee Overview.); or 50 or more seats of Office 365 sales in the previous 12 months, to qualify. Action Pack partners continue to receive internal-use software licenses for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Workgroup Server, which includes up to 5 users. Partners can take advantage of a discounted offer for CRM Online as well. See the Internal Use Software Benefits Changes for Competencies section for further details. Windows Intune Cloud service only 5 licenses Up to five devices per license. Each license of Windows Intune used in exchange for one on-premises CAL of Microsoft System Center Device Manager. Windows Azure Not applicable US$100 monthly credit Windows Azure credit is in addition to current on-premises internal-use software licenses. *Partners can earn additional Office 365 licenses by selling Microsoft Online Services. Partners are eligible to receive an additional five seats of Office 365 after selling 25 seats of Office 365 within the previous 12 months. Project Online and Visio Online internal-use licenses Internal-use software licenses for the Microsoft Project Online and Microsoft Visio Online are under review currently. Upcoming Disclosure Guide updates will provide additional details about internal-use software benefits for these online services. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 11

12 Resource Centers Six Resource Centers will be available when the new Action Pack subscription is launched. These centers will organize and recommend content, resources and benefits based on core business practices. Application Development and Design Device Design and Development Hosting Managed Services Professional Services Reselling Designed for partners that develop commercial and consumer applications on Microsoft platforms, which include client, server, phone, tablet, and Windows Azure. Designed for partners building devices on the Windows Embedded platform with an interest in expanding to other Microsoft-based devices over time. Designed for partners that host Microsoft software with a focus on licensing, technical support, and training. Designed for partners interested in building a managed service practice. Designed for partners that have built integration and deployment practices and offer general services including technical support, software, and training. Designed for partners that resell onpremises software, cloud services, and hybrid solutions. Partners will receive licensing, presales and competitive opportunity support. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 12

13 COMPETENCY CHANGES An update to announced competency changes As recently announced, we ve decided to reprioritize the timing of certain program updates communicated at the Worldwide Partner Conference in July This includes delaying many of the previously communicated changes for competencies. Review this section to understand what will still be changing in February In addition, review the appendix to this document for detailed information about upcoming changes specific to the requirements of particular Microsoft Partner Network competencies. The following changes will remain in February Introducing the Intelligent Systems competency: The Microsoft Partner Network is excited to introduce the Intelligent Systems competency, which will be launched in February 2014, in response to the emergence of the concept known as the Internet of Things, in which objects are connected to the internet and to each other, allowing them to send and receive data. To address this market opportunity, partners are beginning to leverage intelligent systems solutions end-to-end solutions that connect industry devices to back-end systems and drive business intelligence. A 2013 IDC report estimates that by 2017, intelligent systems will represent more than 87 percent of worldwide embedded systems revenue, which represents a market of more than US$2.7 trillion.* In this section, you can learn more about upcoming competency changes, including details about the integration of cloud internal-use software licenses into core partner benefits. The new Intelligent Systems competency is designed specifically for partners who are developing end-to-end intelligent systems solutions. Through the Intelligent Systems competency, partners can gain access to the marketing and support they need to develop and drive an intelligent systems business practice. *IDC, Worldwide Intelligent Systems: Market Forecasts and Analysis: The Rise of Intelligent Systems, doc #241359, July Digital Marketing competency renamed Digital Advertising: Digital marketing is a broad concept, and a potentially misleading term. In 2012, we modified the Digital Marketing competency to focus on our Bing Advertising partners. To complete the transition, in February 2014, the name will be changed to Digital Advertising, and requirements will be updated, to better reflect what Bing partners do. Application track added to Collaboration and Content competency: Beginning in February 2014, an application track will be added to the Collaboration and Content competency for partners who develop solutions for SharePoint. New silver and gold SharePoint application tests will be available through Microsoft Platform Ready. Delay of launch of User Experience Design competency: We will no longer be adding a new competency called User Experience Design. Instead, we will offer partners the opportunity to gain skills and differentiate themselves, by embedding core elements within the already established Devices and Deployment and Application Development competencies. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 13

14 Internal-use software benefits changes for competencies Cloud services internal-use software benefits integration Effective February 2014, all competency partners will have access to Microsoft cloud services (Office 365, Windows Azure, Windows Intune, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online) internal-use software benefits as a part of their core benefits. Review your license statement in the Partner Digital Distribution Portal for details about your current core internal-use software benefits. For a variety of internal-use software licenses, partners will have the opportunity to exchange current on-premises core internal-use software licenses for access to cloud internal-use software benefits. The following table shows the available cloud internal-use software benefits. Cloud service SKU Gold competency core benefit Silver competency core benefit Comments Office 365 E3 100 seats 25 seats One seat of Office 365 equals one on-premises client access license (CAL) (SharePoint, Exchange, and Lync). Office Pro Plus 2013 licenses transfer to Office 365 E3 use rights. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online CRMIUR (similar to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional) 60 seats 15 seats One seat of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online equals one on-premises CAL of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Windows Intune Cloud service only 100 licenses 25 licenses Up to 5 devices per license. Each license of Windows Intune equals one on-premises CAL of System Center Device Client Management Suite, System Center Configuration Manager, and Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection. Windows Azure Not applicable US$100 monthly credit US$100 monthly credit Windows Azure credit is in addition to any current onpremises internal-use software licenses. Cloud and on-premises licenses can be used in any combination, up to the maximum total benefit available. For example, a partner organization with a gold competency can use 50 cloud licenses of Office 365, and up to 50 licenses of on-premises CALs for SharePoint, Lync, and Exchange, along with aligned server products (SharePoint Server 2013, Lync Server 2013, and Exchange Server 2013 Enterprise), or any combination equaling 100 or fewer. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 14

15 The following tables outline where cloud and on-premises internal-use software benefits overlap. Productivity cloud and on-premises services offerings Cloud On-premises Office 365 (E3) seats Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013 Exchange Server 2013 Enterprise CALs (includes Standard CALs) Lync Server 2013 Enterprise CALs Lync Server 2013 Plus CALs Lync Server 2013 Standard CALs SharePoint Server 2013 Enterprise CALs (includes Standard CALs) Available for on-premises use Server products will be used with any CALs remaining in use, and can be used at all times for demo, testing, and development purposes. Silver competency initial license grant Gold competency initial license grant Microsoft Office Multi-Language Pack Microsoft Project Professional Microsoft Visio Professional Microsoft Project Server Microsoft Project Server 2013 CALs (cloud offering, Project Online, to be determined) Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Enterprise 2 2 Microsoft Lync Server Microsoft SharePoint Server Business solutions cloud and on-premises services offerings Cloud Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Pro (user subscription) Available for on-premises use Server products will be used with any CALs remaining in use, and can be used at all times for demo, testing, and development purposes. On-premises Silver competency initial license grant Gold competency initial license grant Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 CALs Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 15

16 Management solutions cloud and on-premises services offerings Cloud Windows Intune Available for on-premises use Server products will be used with any CALs remaining in use, and can be used at all times for demo, testing, and development purposes. On-premises Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Client Management Suite Client management license (ML) Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Management Client ML Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Endpoint Protection Silver competency initial license grant Gold competency initial license grant Microsoft System Center 2012 R2 Standard 2 4 Additional licenses Additional toolkits Reminder: Partners may qualify for and purchase additional toolkits by earning competencies in additional locations, incrementally earning total internal-use software licenses at the core license level for that location (country and worldwide maximums apply). For example, a partner with a Gold Application Development competency will be entitled to use up to 100 seats of Office 365. If that partner becomes eligible for an additional toolkit by earning an additional gold competency at another location, this partner will be entitled to use up to 200 seats of Office 365. Learn more about additional toolkits. Learn more about country and worldwide maximums. Other ways to earn additional licenses Additional Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online seats can be earned by achieving a Gold or Silver CRM competency (20 seats for gold and 10 for silver). Gold and silver competency partners can purchase discounted internal-use software licenses (Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional only, up to 100 seats at US$45 per month, per seat. For details, review the Partner discount offer for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online item on page 17. On-premises server licenses If a partner organization is using online versions of internal-use software benefits exclusively, server licenses can still be used for development, testing, demonstration, or internal training. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 16

17 Project Online and Visio Online Internal-use software benefits for these Online Services products are under review currently. Upcoming Disclosure Guide updates will provide additional details. Microsoft Dynamics CRM benefits update Internal-use software benefits model updates The Microsoft Dynamics CRM benefits model will be updated in February 2014 for new and renewing partners. Partners with a gold competency will receive internal-use software licenses for any combination of Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online equaling 60 total seats. Partners with a silver competency will have access to 15 total seats of any combination of Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. The objective for this benefit is to provide enough licenses for gold competency partners to run a 100-person organization and for silver competency partners to run a 25-person organization. Because typically only certain roles in an organization require access to Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online licenses, the benefits model is being updated to reflect these license needs. Partner discount offer for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Microsoft partners who qualify for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online internal-use software benefits through a Microsoft Action Pack subscription or a competency are eligible for a discount offer on additional seats beyond those granted in their core benefits. Beginning February 2014, partners can purchase up to 100 seats of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional worldwide per virtual organization for US$45 per seat, per month. The US$45 discount offer will replace the current US$19 per seat, per month offer. Partners who are not enrolled in Action Pack or have not attained a competency must purchase Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online licenses before their annual renewal date to avoid losing access to their Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online tenant. Additional non-production instances of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Partners are eligible to receive four non-production instances of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online by attaining a Gold CRM competency, or two nonproduction instances of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for a Silver CRM competency. Non-production instances must be used exclusively for development, testing, demonstration, or internal training. Small Business competency cloud benefits The Small Business competency will be updated to the same benefits model as all other competencies for cloud benefits. See the preceding cloud services benefits table for details about specific internal-use software benefits for gold and silver competencies. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 17

18 Yammer internal-use software benefits Yammer Enterprise is now available for partners as a part of Office 365 internal-use software benefits provided through the Microsoft cloud programs. Partners can visit the Office 365 Administration Portal (in the service overview tab under included service ) to check if Yammer is available for their account, and then activate it. Note that this is a rolling release and all active partners that are currently taking advantage of Office 365 internal-use software benefits should see the link in their tenant through the administration portal by the end of November. Yammer will be automatically included with all new accounts. Find more information about how to activate your account, and access detailed step-by-step instructions Other cross-competency changes Licensing assessment Effective February 2014, silver and gold competency partners will no longer be required to pass the licensing overview assessment to obtain the competencies indicated in the Competency Updates Overview. Licensing content is now part of each sales assessment. Presales technical assessments Effective February 2014, presales technical assessments will be required to earn the Collaboration and Content, Communications, Customer Relationship Management, Business Intelligence, Devices and Deployment, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Messaging competencies to help partners in their presales activities and to enable partners to win more deals. Effective date change for new customer reference requirements The number of customer references required for application tracks adapted to independent software vendor (ISV) partners was previously communicated to take effect in January However, this competency change will be implemented at a later date, likely during the second quarter of calendar year The number of required customer references will then be increased from three to five for silver competencies and from five to 10 for gold competencies. This change is being made to better reflect the specifics of the ISV business model and to help improve parity between competency tracks. ISV track application tests are available for the following competencies: Application Development Business Intelligence Collaboration and Content Communications Data Platform Intelligent Systems (new in February 2014) Management and Virtualization Messaging Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 18

19 Competency updates overview The new Intelligent Systems competency is being added, and the name of the Digital Marketing competency is being changed to Digital Advertising in February Use the following chart to identify the additional program changes that will occur within your competencies in February. Licensing assessment Competency retirement Assessment changes Exam changes Application Development Application Integration Application Lifecycle Management Business Intelligence Collaboration and Content Communications Customer Relationship Management Data Platform Devices and Deployment Digital Advertising Distributor Enterprise Resource Planning Hosting Identity and Access Intelligent Systems Learning Management and Virtualization Messaging Midmarket Solution Provider Mobility OEM Project and Portfolio Management Server Platform Small Business Software Asset Management Volume Licensing Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 19

20 APPENDIX: COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS CHANGES How to use this information This appendix is intended to provide detailed information about upcoming changes specific to Microsoft Partner Network competencies. The requirements and benefits changes listed here for each competency reflect the to-be requirements and benefits for February 2014, as of the date of publication. Note, however, that if a specific competency is not mentioned in this guide, it is because requirements for that competency are not changing at this time. Use this information together with the preceding Disclosure of Upcoming Program Changes Guide and the Microsoft Partner Portal to ensure that your organization continues to meet the requirements necessary to maintain your status in the Partner Network. Note: Some items are subject to change. In such cases, updated editions will be published as soon as possible to communicate these changes to partners. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 20

21 Appendix: Changes to Application Development competency, February 2014 We are updating exam and application test requirements to reflect the newest technology in market, enabling partners to offer our joint customers optimal value from their Microsoft investment. Tier Track Requirements Benefits Silver Systems Integration (consulting services-oriented Licensing Assessment : TS: Silverlight 4, Development : Windows Applications Development with Microsoft.NET Framework : TS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration : TS: Windows Communication Foundation Development with Microsoft.NET Framework : TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft.NET Framework : TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft.NET Framework : PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using Microsoft.NET Framework : PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft.NET Framework : Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD.NET Framework 3.5 Windows Developer Skills to MCPD.NET 4.0 Windows Applications Developer : Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD.NET Framework 3.5 Web Developer Skills to MCPD.NET Framework 4.0 Web Developer : PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Azure Applications None Two individuals each must pass one of the following: : Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS : Essentials of Developing Windows Store Apps using HTML5 and JavaScript : Advanced Store App Development using HTML5 and JavaScript : Programming in C# : Essentials of Developing Windows Store Apps in C# : Advanced Store App Development using C# : Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications : Developing Windows Azure and Web Services Application (development-oriented Retiring Application Tests: SQL Azure Platform Ready Test New: 20 percent discount on Business Modeling Session with Tellus International Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 21

22 Windows 7 Platform Ready Test Windows 7 Logo Test Windows Server 2008 R2 Platform Ready Test Windows Server 2008 R2 Platform Ready for SAAS Applications Test Windows Azure Platform Ready New Application Tests: Silver Competency Test for Windows Phone 8 Silver Competency Test for Windows Server 2012 R2 None Your organization must have one product or application that has passed one of the following application tests: Competency Test for Windows 8 Silver Competency Test for Windows Server 2012 Silver Competency Test for Windows Server 2012 R2 Silver Competency Test for Windows Phone 8 NOTE: Qualifying gold application tests are also valid toward earning the Silver Application Development competency. Gold Systems Integration (consulting services-oriented Licensing Assessment MCPD: Windows Developer 4 MCPD: Web Developer 4 MCPD: Silverlight Developer 4 MCPD: Windows Azure Developer 4 None Four unique individuals each must hold one of the following certifications: MCSD: Web Apps MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using HTML5 MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using C# Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 22

23 Application (development oriented Gold Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2 Test Gold Windows 7 Logo Test Gold Windows Azure Platform Ready Test Gold Windows Server 2008 R2 Platform Ready for SAAS Applications Test Windows 7 Platform ready Windows Server 2008 R2 Platform Ready SQL Azure Platform Ready New: Gold Competency Test for Windows Phone 8 Gold competency test for Windows Server 2012 R2 None Your organization must have one product or application that has passed one of the following application tests: Competency Test for Windows 8 Gold competency Test for Windows Server 2012 Gold competency test for Windows Server 2012 R2 Gold competency Test for Windows Phone 8 New: 30% discount on Business Modeling Session with Tellus International Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 23

24 Appendix: Changes to Application Integration competency, February 2014 We are updating exam requirements to reflect the newest technology in market, enabling partners to offer our joint customers optimal value from their Microsoft investment. We are retiring the application track from this competency. Tier Track Requirements Benefits Silver Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment Exam : TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions by Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010 Exam : TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions by Using Microsoft BizTalk 2006 R2 Exam : TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions by Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 Exam : TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance Exam : TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development Exam : Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP Database Administrator Skills to MCITP Database Administrator 2008 Exam : Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP Database Developer Skills to MCITP Database Developer 2008 Exam : TS: Windows Applications Development with Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : TS: Windows Communication Foundation Development with Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Exam : Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD.NET Framework 3.5 Windows Developer Skills to MCPD.NET 4.0 Windows Applications Developer Exam : Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD.NET Framework Web Developer Skills to MCPD.NET Framework 4.0 Web Developer Exam : PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Azure Applications New: BizTalk Technical Competency Assessment for Application Integration (BizTalk Server 2013) Exam : Developing Windows Azure and Web Services Exam : Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases One individual must pass the following: Sales Specialist Assessment for Application Integration Two individuals each must pass the following: Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 24

25 BizTalk Technical Competency Assessment for Application Integration (BizTalk Server 2013) The same two individuals must also pass one of the following: Exam : Developing Windows Azure and Web Services Exam : Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases Gold Application (development oriented Systems Integration (consulting services oriented The Application track is retired as of February 2014 given this competency is custom development-focused. Licensing Assessment MCPD: Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 New: Exam : Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services New BizTalk 2013 technical assessment Exam : Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases Exam : Programming in C# Exam : Developing Windows Azure and Web Services Exam : Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases Two individuals must pass the following: Sales Specialist Assessment for Application Integration FOUR UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS MUST EACH PASS THE FOLLOWING: BizTalk Technical Competency Assessment for Application Integration (BizTalk Server 2013) Three of these individuals must pass the following: Exam : Programming in C# The same three individuals also must pass one of the following: Exam : Developing Windows Azure and Web Services Exam : Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases The fourth individual must pass the following: Exam : Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services Exam : Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 25

26 Application (development oriented The Application track is retired as of February 2014 given this competency is custom development-focused. Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 26

27 Appendix: Changes to Application Lifecycle Management competency, February 2014 We are updating exam and application test requirements to reflect the newest technology in market, enabling partners to offer our joint customers optimal value from their Microsoft investment. At the same time, we are offering partners more flexibility by allowing more individuals to hold the total number of required exams/certifications. Tier Track Requirements Benefits Silver Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment Exam : Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration One individual must pass the following: Application Lifecycle Management Sales Specialist assessment We are modifying the distribution of certification across individuals. The February 2014 structure is as follows: Two individuals each must pass the following: : Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2012, Administration : Delivering Continuous Value with Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management One individual must pass one of the following: : Software Testing with Visual Studio 2012 PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Professional Scrum Master level 1 (PSM I) Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master Gold Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment Exam : Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 27

28 Two individuals each must pass the following: Application Lifecycle Management Sales Specialist assessment Four unique individuals each must pass the following: : Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2012, Administration : Delivering Continuous Value with Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management Two individuals each must pass one of the following: : Software Testing with Visual Studio 2012 PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Professional Scrum Master level 1 (PSM I) Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master Customer evidence: No Change Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 28

29 Appendix: Changes to Business Intelligence competency, February 2014 We are updating exam requirements to reflect the newest technology in market, enabling partners to offer our joint customers optimal value from their Microsoft investment. Tier Track Requirements Benefits Silver Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment Exams and Certifications Exam : TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance Exam : TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance Exam : TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development Exam : TS: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, Configuring New: Exam : Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1 Exam : Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2 One individual must pass the following: Sales and Marketing Competency Assessment for Business Intelligence One individual must pass the following: Presales Technical Competency Assessment for Business Intelligence One individual must pass one of the following: Exam : Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Exam : Implementing Data Models and Reports Exam : Designing BI Solutions Another individual must pass one of the following: Exam : Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Exam : Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases Exam : Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Exam : Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1 Exam : Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2 Application (development oriented Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 29

30 New: 20% discount on Business Modeling Session with Tellus International None Your organization must have one product or application that has passed the designated application test: Silver SQL Server BI 2012 Platform Ready Gold Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment Retiring Exams and Certifications: MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008 MCM: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Exam : PRO: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications Two individuals must pass the following: Sales and Marketing Competency Assessment for Business Intelligence One unique individual must pass the following: Presales Technical Competency Assessment for Business Intelligence Two unique individuals each must pass the following: MCSE: Business Intelligence Two other unique individuals each must pass the following: Exam : Implementing Data Models and Reports with MS SQL Server 2012 Exam : Designing BI Solutions with MS SQL Server 2012 Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 30

31 Application (development oriented New: 30% discount on Business Modeling Session with Tellus International None Your organization must have one product or application that has passed the designated application test: Gold SQL Server BI 2012 Platform Ready Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 31

32 Appendix: Changes to Collaboration and Content competency, February 2014 We are updating exam requirements to reflect the newest technology in market, enabling partners to offer our joint customers optimal value from their Microsoft investment. We are adding an application track enabling development-focused partners to qualify via an application test. Tier Track Requirements Benefits Silver Systems Integration (consulting services oriented Licensing Assessment New: Collaboration & Content Presales technical assessment : TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring : PRO: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010 MCM: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 One individual must pass the following: The Collaboration and Content sales assessment One individual must pass the following: The Collaboration and Content Presales technical assessment Two individuals each must pass one of the following: : Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013, Core Solutions : Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013, Advanced Solutions : Core Solutions of SharePoint 2013 Development : Advanced Solutions of SharePoint 2013 Development : TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development : PRO: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications MCSD: SharePoint Applications MCSE: SharePoint MCSM: SharePoint MCPD: SharePoint Developer 2010 Application (development oriented N/A New: Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure Guide 32