Date Published: November 2008.

Author: Claudio Vacalebre.

Soundtrack: For Test, Author: Claudio Vacalebre.

I wanted to send some information along about the changes we have made to the Hosting Solutions Competency. We made these changes because we recognize the important role Hosters play in the marketplace today. This competency now provides even more targeted benefits to help you address the unique challenges you face. Join the Microsoft Partner Program and become Hosting Solutions Competent today. You’ll gain access to a host of benefits that will drive your business and help you adapt to the changing marketplace.

The Hosting industry is undergoing a fundamental change. Pricing pressure and increased competition have led to market attrition and consolidation. With the move towards software-plus-services, an opportunity exists for firms that are able to distinguish their products and services. Today, significant competitive advantages can be gained by companies that provide complete hosting solutions, applications, and supporting services. The Hosting Solutions Competency is designed to help your company reach its potential. Capture customers in today’s changing marketplace and advance your expertise from infrastructure applications to complex hosting solutions.

Competency benefits are designed to target the unique challenges Hosters face in today’s competitive market. By leveraging these specialized offerings you can increase opportunities, deliver innovative solutions and close more sales.

Promote your solutions in specially targeted, locally filtered, Communications Sector Hosting Catalogs 1. Create a detailed description of your solution using clear guidance on how to best market your offerings 2. Profile your solution in the Partner Solution Profiler, where you can revise your description at any time 3. Publish your solution in any of nine targeted catalogs restricted to competency members only. Instead of being 1 of 2000 Hosters, be one of 20. These catalogs are carefully monitored and maintained to ensure searches reveal partners with geographically applicable data centers. Help the customers find YOU! Solutions Listing In Customer Directory

Create unique solutions targeted at vertical industries where hosting is a valuable offering. Fact sheets, campaign guides, customer-facing data sheets, and web-ready content all combine to help you create, market, and sell solutions to key industries. Some of the current industries include: Legal Sector Financial Services Small business

Download the Hosting Services sales Toolkit to enhance your sales process. You’ll find a host of material including core sales materials, sales discussion guides, objection handling information, customer profiles, and more. All targeted to the hosting industry.

To become a member of the Hosting Solutions Competency you must first enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program*, then… 1. Fulfill the Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) Sales Requirement: Signed Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) and reporting a minimum of 75 Processor Licenses OR 3,000 Subscriber Access Licenses (SAL) via SPLA in the last 12 months. 2. Employ Two Microsoft Certified Professionals Employ or contract at least two exclusive Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs). 3. Gather Three Costumer References a) Each customer reference must feature a project that you have completed within the last 12 months. b) Each reference will be verified with your customer. Upon approval, the reference will remain valid for two years from the date the reference is approved. * Membership in the Microsoft Partner Program requires payment of a fee, which varies by location.

» hostingsc@microsoft.com – the hotline for sending your questions, comments and queries

» Hosting Solutions Competency Home Page

» Hosting Solutions Benefits – additional details and benefits

» Competency Requirements

» Microsoft Partner Program Enrollment – required for competency membership

» MS Communications Sector Hosting Community – monthly newsletters and more

» Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) – required for Microsoft Partner Program Enrollment

» Preparation Guide for the Hosting Exam – 70-501

» Earning a Competency Guide – information on earning any competency in Microsoft Partner Program

» Partner Newsletter - monthly newsletter about key partner information