Action Packs Change, Empower Out

Empower, an initiative aimed at getting small ISVs to build applications on the Microsoft platform, has been incorporated into a new software subscription for partners, giving small ISVs a simpler and less expensive way to get most Empower benefits and reducing administrative costs for Microsoft. The popular Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) is now offered in two versions: one aimed at ISVs who in the past might have used Empower and another at general partners.

Empower

Begun in 2003, Empower was designed to assist small ISVs by giving them access to five Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Universal subscriptions, which were limited to use by developers, as well as common software for production use, including Windows, Office, Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange, and SharePoint. Other benefits included access to technical and business advisory services from Microsoft.

Participants committed to producing a certified application within a specific period of time, and the program was limited to 12 months, with a possible extension for another 12.