New Accelerators for Partners

A set of Accelerate programs give partners special incentives to focus on solutions that are particularly critical to Microsoft’s market share in online services and other areas the company considers strategic. Some fit into the competency structure of the Microsoft Partner Network while others are intensive training programs that provide partners with advanced expertise developed by Microsoft consultants. The programs signal increased emphasis on special incentives designed to drive specific partner behavior.

Cloud Accelerate

The Cloud Accelerate program, announced at the 2010 Worldwide Partner conference and likely to become available at the end of Oct. 2010, encourages Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) members to sell Microsoft online services and applications that run on the Windows Azure platform.

The program is aimed at two types of partners: those who develop applications or services that run on the Windows Azure platform, and those who sell, host, or advise customers on Microsoft Online Services, such as Dynamics CRM Online, Exchange Online, or the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS, a suite of licenses for accessing Microsoft-hosted versions of Exchange, SharePoint, Communications Server [Lync], and Live Meeting).