MS unveils new Partner Network

In keeping with the target of providing a leveraged growth opportunity to the
small and medium enterprises (SME) in India, Microsoft is spreading out a
specific message for them to be more competitive and gain expertise at par with
global players by adopting tools like integrated messaging platform, web
presence, SaaS and business application tools like CRM.

In her first visit to India, Allison L. Watson, Corporate Vice President,
Worldwide Partner group, Microsoft Corporation is excited to build an even
stronger partner community that is equipped to offer the latest Microsoft
technology to the SME customers.

“Of the five things we are messaging out to the SME customers, the first is
that they must have access to integrated messaging platform that provides them
connectivity at all level. Secondly, in order to be more productive, they shall
adopt video teleconferencing to connect across the cities and markets. Thirdly,
they must possess great web presence to get new customers and to get them
identified as a better company. And once they have web presence, they grow in
CRM space where the customers are connected for more sales opportunities and
utilize the latest technology of hosted application through software as a
service module,” defined Watson.

She further said that Microsoft has a big commitment to India, which is the
fastest growing region in the world, and the company visualizes immense
opportunity in the Indian partner community for not only the large players but
also for mid-market companies based here.

Microsoft has expanded its channel consistently. “We have expanded from six
cities to 15 cities and have recently tied up with three new distributors. We
also signed up with 40 new sub-distributors. Microsoft ensures that it has
strong partnership with these distributors who are present in every city of the
country. We have partners for specific markets and have enrolled small partners
for regional level and large partners like Wipro, TATA for bigger accounts,”
added Watson.

Speaking on the training activities for the enablement of the partners,
Watson mentioned that Microsoft has been investing significantly to help grow
the channel partner network so that they can further help in strengthening the
SME customers. “In the channel, we have a sense of commitment for training.
Coming to the training and certification programs, Microsoft has the largest
base of technically certified individuals and each year we are training about
250,000 people who become certified. Our main focus is that channel should
become expert to the customers.

We connect our partner to the Microsoft partner program and we have just
announced the next generation of the program - Microsoft partner network. In
doing so we are targeting to reach out to even larger base of customers and
differentiating the partners for possessing better skills in the most current
technology in every geography. This would enable them to get recognized in the
market place for that investment and to ensure that our customers are ready to
compete globally.”

Besides, Microsoft is also investing in new social networking media in
countries like India. “We have been recognized as the third largest Twitter feed
in the world. We are excited to be connected and help our partners use our
technology to get more business though social networking sites like Facebook. So
the social media and networking components are an important part of Microsoft
corporate vision so that we can enrich our partners in India and get them
connected with the places around the world.”