You've probably heard that some changes are coming soon regarding competencies and specializations within the Microsoft Partner Program. These changes are effective beginning May 30th, 2008. There are lots of details on the partner portal by clicking here, but here are some of the high level details.
Business Intelligence, Unified Communications, and Hosting Solutions are now breaking out into their own competencies.
Business Intelligence
The new competency consists of the Business Intelligence Platform specialization (currently the Business Intelligence specialization within the Microsoft Data Management Solutions competency) and the Performance Management specialization (currently within the Microsoft Information Worker Solutions competency).
Your transition to the new Business Intelligence competency will happen automatically. The next time you sign in to the Microsoft Partner Program after May 30, 2008, your membership status will reflect the changes. If you are active in the Performance Management specialization, you will be listed as active in the Performance Management specialization within the Business Intelligence competency. And if you’re active in the Business Intelligence specialization, you’ll be listed as active in the Business Intelligence Platform specialization within the Business Intelligence competency.
Business Intelligence Platform and Performance Managements are the two specializations under the Business Intelligence competency
Since Performance Management specialization is moving away from the Information Worker Competency, you will maintain your IW Competency through your anniversary date if this was your only specialization in IW. If you have other IW specializations, you will continue to maintain your IW competency as long as those specializations are maintained.
There are no new or additional exams required to obtain the Business Intelligence competency.
Unified Communications
Unified Communications is the second new competency being added to the MSPP. this competency is designed to position partners to better take advantage of one of the most exciting and growing markets today and take advantage of one of Microsoft’s most important areas of investment.
The new competency provides partners with the necessary technical, marketing, and sales resources to develop and recognize expertise in streamlining communications through the Microsoft unified communications technologies, including Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Office Communications Server.
With Microsoft® unified communications technologies, you can deliver integrated, intuitive solutions that combine email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging (IM), and audio, video, and Web conferencing. All built around people, not technology.
The Unified Communications Solutions competency will include three specializations:
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IM/Presence specialization, designed to showcase expertise in the planning, deployment, and management of these solutions.
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Messaging specialization, designed to showcase expertise in email/calendaring migration and deployment solutions.
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Voice specialization, designed to showcase expertise in implementing VoIP, unified messaging and conferencing solutions.
If you are already active in the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency, and/or or the Unified Communications specialization within the Information Worker Solutions competency, you will be automatically transferred to the new competency after May 30.
Those partners who currently have the Unified Communications specialization within the Information Worker competency will automatically move to the IM/Presence specialization within new competency.
Partners who currently have the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency will be automatically moved to the Messaging specialization within the new competency.
Partners who have obtained either the UC specialization or the Exchange Migration and Deployment specialization will maintain current benefits in the previous competencies through the anniversary date.
The Voice specialization is brand new starting on May 30th and there will be no transitions to this specialization from other areas. Stay tuned to the partner portal and this blog for the new requirements when they are posted.
There are no new additional requirements to be met for the IM/Presence or the Messaging specializations.
Hosting Solutions
The Hosting Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency will become the new Hosting competency. You’ll still have access to the Microsoft platform, software, tools, and services to help you meet your customers’ needs. But now you’ll be able to leverage your activity in the Hosting competency to better distinguish your organization as a hosting expert.
All partners who currently have the Hosting Solutions specialization within the Advanced Infrastructure and Solutions competency will automatically be moved to the new Hosting Solution competency until the anniversary date.
IMPORTANT NOTE - To maintain status in the Hosting Solutions Competency, two employees or contractors must pass exam 70-501: Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments - Configuring and Managing prior to the anniversary date.
Additional Changes
Beginning May 30th, 2008, the Business Process and Integration Competency will become the SOA and Business Process Competency.
Microsoft will also be aligning partner certification requirements across the commercial agreements and the Business Solutions competency. Check the partner portal for further details after May 30th.
Microsoft will also change exam requirements for five competencies and programs. The five competencies or programs affected are:
- ISV/Software Solutions
- Identity and Security Access
- Small Business Specialist Community
- Advanced Infrastructure
- Mobility
Please check the partner portal for specific impact to your organization, or work with your Microsoft field partner team to learn more.