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Microsoft offers partners new tools and transparency
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11/07/2008
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Microsoft has unveiled new tools and resources for its partner network, aimed at accelerating uptake of its Dynamics ERP and CRM applications among manufacturers.
In a keynote address at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008, CEO Steve Ballmer said: “Partners have always been central to how we meet our customers’ needs... I believe there are incredible opportunities for our partners to provide value to customers in the software plus services era.”
Two new suites stand out – the first Microsoft Pinpoint and the second Digital Forum.
Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft, describes Pinpoint as a unified online business marketplace for SME customers and partners. It’s a little like a dating agency online, matching technology needs to providers. Microsoft customers using Dynamics CRM 4.0 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online will be able to get to the marketplace next month, she says.
As for Digital Forum, the site has been designed to enable partners to showcase innovations through online videos. It’s part of Partner Labs, an online ‘sandbox’ where partners can test and provide feedback on new resources, using social networking, and opening Microsoft innovation to the partner community.
Says Watson: “Our goal is to provide thought leadership to our partner community on the business model evolution required by the software-plus-services landscape.”
She says the new resources have been modelled on Microsoft’s recent research into the evolution of software and services, and claims they “will give partners prescriptive guidance to evolve their businesses, realise new opportunities and increase their profitability”.
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Author
Brian Tinham
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