IMPORTANT CHANGES ON The New Microsoft Action Pack Subscription Debuts February 24

Hi there,

This is a important post for Microsoft SMB Partners in the US. Have a good one.

Jean-Claude Chan

Follow me on twitter @jeanclaudechan or Linkedin: jean.claude.chan@jccconsultancy.com

The Microsoft Action Pack subscription has long provided many Microsoft Partner Network members with cost-effective access to internal use software licenses and technical, sales, and marketing resources. A few years ago, the Action Pack was updated to offer a choice between two editions, based on whether your business model was as a solution provider (build, install, service) or in the design and development of applications and web-based solutions.

As the market rapidly evolves, and as Microsoft shifts to its devices and services strategy, the Microsoft Partner Network is changing to better position our partners to build Microsoft-based practices that meet customer demands. There are program-wide changes that will take effect in February, and there are changes to our two primary membership options, the Microsoft Action Pack and MPN competencies. For competency requirements updates, read Julie Bennani’s blog post. For information about the new Action Pack, please read on.

The Microsoft Action Pack has been redesigned, and on February 24 we’ll switch on this new, robust, universal subscription model. Your subscription will help you capitalize on the growing cloud opportunities in small and medium businesses by providing you with access to marketing, technical, and readiness tools aligned to these partner business models:

• Application development and design
• Device design and development
• Hosting
• Managed services
• Professional services
• Reselling

Benefits

• Internal-use Microsoft software licenses to support up to a 10-person organization, deployed through Microsoft Cloud Services or on-premises software.
• Access to online and telephone support for presales, technical, and deployment issues.
• Developer tools, including Visual Studio, and MSDN subscriptions to support development across Microsoft platforms—desktop, phone, server, and web.
• Bing Ads credits for you and your customers, to market products, services, and solutions.

Pages 10-12 in the downloadable Microsoft Partner Network disclosure guide provide you with more details about these changes.

Pricing

The new Action Pack subscription will be priced at US $475.

Guidance for Current Subscribers

If you are already an Action Pack Solution Provider or Action Pack Development and Design subscriber, you will have access to the new benefits and resources starting February 24. No action from you is necessary until your next subscription renewal.

Guidance for Renewing Subscribers

If your Action Pack renewal date is approaching, you can renew your subscription up to 30 days prior to that date. If you are in your 30-day renewal timeframe, and complete your renewal before February 24, you’ll pay the current price and save on the first year of your subscription. You’ll have access to the new benefits and resources starting February 24.

If you need assistance with your renewal, the Partner membership forum in the Partner Support Community can help. You can request 1:1 communication with an agent.

Guidance for New Subscribers

Subscribe to the Action Pack before February 24, and pay the current price. You’ll save on the first year of your subscription, and get access to the new benefits and resources as soon as the new model goes live, on February 24.

If you need assistance with your new subscription, the partner membership forum in the Partner Support Community can help. You can request 1:1 communication with an agent.

US PARTNER NEWS: Cloud Program Update: Your Questions, Answered

Hi dear readers,

This is important news for Microsoft Partners regarding the MPN programs.

If you have any questions let me know : jean.claude.chan@jccconsultancy.com or twitter me @jeanclaudechan

Have a good one.

Jean-Claude Chan

On February 24 2014,  several program-wide changes to the Microsoft Partner Network will take effect. Some of these changes are related to the Microsoft Cloud Partner programs. To help you understand what the cloud-related changes are, and how they may affect your company’s membership, I compiled this list of the questions partners most frequently ask about this topic. It is a helpful companion to the Microsoft Partner Network disclosure guide and to the Partner Program Updates blog post by Julie Bennani.

 

Why is Microsoft retiring the Cloud Partner programs?
Microsoft Cloud Partner programs (comprising Cloud Essentials, Cloud Accelerate, Cloud Deployment, and Azure Circle) were created to support partners in developing new practices around Microsoft cloud solutions. We invested in partners who started this journey with us early. Now, many of those early adopters have built successful cloud practices, and cloud is now part of nearly all IT conversations. It is time to integrate these programs into the core Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) program, which we will do through a phased approach over the course of the next year.

What happened to the cloud tracks that were part of the earlier announcements about MPN competency changes?
We are still committed to integrating cloud into the Microsoft Partner Network. Based on your feedback, we suspended the addition of distinct cloud tracks into the MPN competencies so we could approach it more simply. You can expect to see the integration of cloud in the third quarter of 2014 when we retire the Cloud Accelerate, Cloud Deployment, and Azure Circle programs.

How will the retirement of Cloud Essentials work?
We will close Cloud Essentials to new enrollments on February 24, and retire the program on June 30. To continue to access your internal-use software licenses and other benefits you enjoy as a Cloud Essentials subscriber, you must either subscribe to the Microsoft Action Pack or earn an MPN competency.

imageIf Cloud Essentials is going away, will I still be eligible to sell Microsoft Online Services and receive incentives?
Yes! As a Cloud Essentials subscriber, you accepted the Microsoft Online Services Partner Agreement (MOSPA). This agreement allows you to sell cloud subscriptions and receive the core advisor incentives, as detailed in the Microsoft Online Services Advisor Incentives guide.

How do I earn cloud accelerator incentives?
If you are a Cloud Accelerate partner, you will be eligible for the cloud accelerator incentives until the fall of 2014. The Cloud Accelerate program will continue for the time being. Details are in the Microsoft Online Services Advisor Incentives guide.

Without Cloud Essentials, what is the best program option for me to receive benefits that help me establish and build my Microsoft cloud practice?
Here are my suggestions, based on how established your cloud practice currently is, and who your customers are:
•Subscribe to the Microsoft Action Pack, which has been redesigned to offer resources and benefits relevant to all partners who serve SMB customers, with emphasis on cloud services. This new subscription model will debut on February 24 at a price of US $475. You can subscribe before then at the current price and save on the first year of your subscription.
•If you have a more established cloud practice, meet the requirements for the Cloud Accelerate program (which will continue for the time being) and the Cloud Deployment program for access to benefits that enable business growth.
•Earn a silver or gold competency that is reflective of your company’s expertise.

Partners with a focus on Microsoft Office 365 and cloud solutions gravitate toward these competencies that reflect cloud capabilities:

◦Collaboration and Content
◦Communications
◦Devices and Deployment
◦Messaging
◦Project and Portfolio Management
◦Midmarket Solution Provider
◦Small Business – through January 31, you can earn the Silver Small Business competency for US $999, significant savings off the silver competency fee of US $1,850. Terms and conditions.

How can I continue to receive internal use software benefits for Microsoft cloud services?

The internal use software benefits for Microsoft Cloud Services (including Microsoft Office 365, Windows Intune, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and Windows Azure) that are currently granted through Cloud Essentials and Cloud Accelerate will be integrated into the MPN core benefits for Microsoft Action Pack subscribers and competency partners beginning February 24.

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, you will have the opportunity to exchange current on-premises core internal-use software licenses for access to cloud internal-use software benefits.
•Action Pack subscribers – review page 11 of the MPN disclosure guide for Cloud Services license benefits.
•Competency partners – review page 14 of the MPN disclosure guide for Cloud Services license benefit

Can I continue to use my Delegated Administration Privileges?
Yes! This resource will continue to be available to partners that have signed the Microsoft Online Services Partner Agreement (MOSPA) and have an active internal-use software license subscription.

I’m interested in joining the Cloud Deployment program and accessing the benefits. What do I need to do?
When your company meets the Cloud Deployment program requirements, your organization is automatically assigned Cloud Deployment partner status within the Microsoft Partner Network. No action is necessary. Sign in to the Cloud Deployment page on the MPN portal for more information.

Cloud Deployment requirements:
•Attain Cloud Accelerate status.
•Earn 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 in the last 18 months by March 31.

For detailled information go to : http://blogs.technet.com/b/msuspartner/archive/2014/01/21/cloud-program-update-your-questions-answered.aspx

 

 

Must read: Latest Microsoft update on Upcoming MPN Competence Changes globally!

To all Microsoft SMB Partners this is a Must read article on the latest development in terms of Microsoft competences changes in 2014!

Find out whether your company has to change her Competences to stay Silver/Gold or Cloud Partner.

If you need more help or advice and you do not know how  or lack time to change your competences for 2014, I can help you out.

You contact me on jean.claude.chan@jccconsultancy.com or twitter me @jeanclaudechan

Microsoft Partner Network Disclosure of Upcoming Program Changes

Getting the most out of your membership means knowing how the Partner Network is adapting to meet marketplace needs. Use this guide to stay in compliance with program requirements and optimize your membership.

Take a look at  the latest Disclosure : https://jccconsultancy-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jean_claude_chan_jccconsultancy_com/_layouts/15/guestaccess.aspx?guestaccesstoken=HtJtI7AaJxxag73aY%2bFc9bOEdNgG%2bWgt1Ni%2fQMAuoOQ%3d&docid=036dc4476fccb4ed4a4256a1013e493c1

For more information go to Microsoft: https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/nl/pages/membership/downloads/microsoft-partner-network-competency-roadmap.aspx#!