Technology Centers Speed Solutions

More Microsoft Technology Centers (MTCs), which provide data centers and meeting facilities to help customers design solutions, develop proofs of concept, and test them, will be coming online in the next two years. MTCs can help customers speed design and resolve questions about solutions before committing to hardware and software purchases, and the centers can help partners close joint sales. However, effective MTC engagements require investment by both customers and partners, and there are limits to what they can accomplish.

Centers Support Large Sales

An MTC is a facility designed for presales customer meetings and technical work, intended to temporarily host technical personnel from customer organizations. Each of the 16 centers, which are located in the United States and eight other countries, includes support facilities (such as kitchens) and meeting rooms for design sessions, and a substantial test lab for demonstrations and proof-of-concept implementations.

“Our goal is to ensure a successful deployment of solutions that makes best use of Microsoft technology and people,” says Lew Wagman, worldwide MTC lead. In general, MTCs are oriented to enterprise sales; engagements are chosen by Microsoft account managers and the center director, based on the size and strategic importance of the sales opportunity. For example, a small software vendor might come to a center to explore porting a product from Java to the .NET Framework.