Other Initiatives for Partners

The Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) provides a core set of requirements and benefits for partners, but Microsoft has also created many other initiatives for partners. Some of these initiatives require that a company already be part of the MSPP; others are also available for companies that aren’t.

Making a complete list of these initiatives is impossible: Microsoft is still rolling out many of them and replacing others. This chapter will look at selected initiatives, including Microsoft Services Partner Advantage (MSPA), which supplements the support offered in the MSPP itself; several supplementary marketing initiatives that aid Microsoft partners in developing business plans and locating other partners who can complement their business; a “buddy” program that connects ISVs to Microsoft staff who can assist them; and an initiative for integrating Microsoft products into ISV products so that they will be installed with an ISV’s software.

Other partner-related programs can be found by going to Microsoft’s partner Web site and related Web pages, listed in the “Resources” chapter of this report.