Microsoft Partner Plans - Windows 7 buying decisions
David Troxell - Encourager Software
Due to the increased interest in decisions about buying Windows 7 for
Software Developers, my company - Encourager Software -
has updated the App Data UAC (Vista and Windows 7) Safe - CHM version
to include more details of the most popular Microsoft Partner programs
including very helpful tips on joining Microsoft Empower for ISVs!
(already included in the Software Developers Profile Exchange - data
version)
http://profileexchanges.com/blog/?p=120
or direct download link for CHM
http://profileexchanges.com/downloads/making-app-data-uac-vista-windows-7-safe-chm.zip
During a recent ClarionLive! Aussie Devcon 2009 session (not recorded -
basically an open mike and chat time) -
We had some brief discussions about a particular plan - Microsoft Empower
for ISVs - and the commitment you make to the program.
Specifically at the Microsoft Empower for ISVs page, this section refers to
that commitment -
"Commit to developing one packaged and resalable software product that
supports at least one of the following Microsoft technologies: Windows 7,
2007 Microsoft Office system, Windows Server 2008 or 2003, Microsoft SQL
Server 2005, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Mobility Platform (Windows
Mobile, Windows Mobile for Pocket PCs, or smart phones)"
As I reflected on the discussion on ClarionLive!, I would make some further
suggestions about the commitment - First, Microsoft makes it very flexible
and not a difficult process to sign up for Microsoft Empower for ISVs - I
profiled a Version 8 of my company's popular software product - Product
Scope 7 to qualify.
Terry Mullican greatly added to the discussion with his comments on how his
company initially qualified with Microsoft Empower for ISVs and progressed
eventually to a Certified Microsoft Partner status.
So I would suggest - for most companies, this commitment would just be a
natural extension of their own product development plans, but with
significant development help from a particular Microsoft partner plan.
However, the great thing about Microsoft Partner plans, there are a wide
variety of choices for your company's particular needs.
The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription is a very popular choice among
developers.
Here is helpful blog by Shan McArthur reference for Microsoft Empower for
ISVs.
http://www.shanmcarthur.net/microsoft-partner-program/empower-isv
"Throughout your one or two year membership in the Empower program, you
will realize the business benefits on a daily basis. You will complete
your product development cycles and prepare to take your product to market.
One of the things you will do as part of the Empower program is to have
your application tested."
In summary format - 4 of the most popular - Microsoft Partner plans you
might consider!
(compare this pricing with how much it might cost you to buy a single
upgrade version of Windows 7, and for most, the vast amount of operating
system software, server software, office suites, etc offered in all 4 plans
would be much more cost effective compared to single upgrade pricing.)
Must qualify to use:
Microsoft BizSpark - nothing up front (USD $100 as you exit program)
http://www.microsoft.com/BizSpark/Default.aspx
Included - Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Team Suite (VSTS) with MSDN
Premium subscription
Microsoft Empower for ISVs - USD $375
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/managemembership/empowerprogram
Included - MSDN Premium Subscription with Five Development and Testing
Licenses - Reduce Costs, Test Software, Speed Solution to Market
Minimal signup requirements for these next two - Just need to be a
Microsoft Registered Partner (FREE at first level) to buy (minimal signup
type information) (I think you just need Windows Live ID for Technet)
Microsoft Action Pack Subscription - USD $299
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40016455
Internal-use, full-version software and sales resources
Microsoft TechNet Plus - USD $349
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788692.aspx
Evaluate full-version commercial products without time limit
David
--
From David Troxell - Product Scope 7.9 - Encourager Software
Email - mailto:pe_Remove_@_Me_encouragersoftware.com
Product Scope 7 Viewer - NO Registration Fee! Free to Use!
http://www.encouragersoftware.com/
http://www.profileexchanges.com/blog/
David Troxell - Encourager Software
wrote:
> Microsoft Partner Plans - Windows 7 buying decisions
A couple updates to this message.
Microsoft Action Pack Subscription
New subscribers are required to take one of the preselected online courses
and its associated assessment from the Partner Learning Center. There are a
number of 1 hour courses to select for this requirement.
Note: You will be able to order the Microsoft Action Pack approximately 10
minutes after you pass an assessment.
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40016472#elig - Renewing subscribers -
Please refer to this section as well.
"While the Microsoft Partner Program works to provide a more streamlined
renewal process, we have suspended the assessment requirement for eligible
renewing Microsoft Action Pack subscribers. Expect the assessment
requirement to be reinstated in late 2009."
* * ClarionLive! * *
Also, ClarionLive! was mentioned in this post - while the site overall is
definitely focused on SoftVelocity Clarion language users, there are
additional recorded videos that would be of great interest to ALL software
developers - regardless of the languages or tools used - I have included
some example videos.
Live Downloads - Webinar Videos
Webinar Video #08 - John Hamilton - VMware Workstation
Webinar Video #10 - Jane Fleming - Code Signing, Lindersoft SetupBuilder
(Setup Tool)
Webinar Video #18 - TechSmith - Camtasia Studio, Snagit
David