Microsoft Certified Solution Providers Benefit From Broadened Technical Service Offerings
NEW ORLEANS, May 30, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has expanded the technical services available for its Microsoft® Certified Solution Providers (MCSPs) to include a new online service desk and high-end technical support. The MCSP Technical Service Desk is a comprehensive online resource containing in-depth information for MCSPs; Priority Plus is a high-end support offering that provides MCSPs with direct access to senior Microsoft engineers. The Technical Service Desk and Priority Plus are the latest additions to Microsoft’s broad array of technical services aimed at providing MCSPs the flexibility to better meet their needs and the needs of their corporate customers.
The MCSP Technical Service Desk was designed to provide MCSPs with the same detailed technical information that Microsoft’s support and systems engineers receive, information that has not previously been available online. MCSPs will be able to access regularly updated product flashes, troubleshooting guides, service packs and a variety of support tools. The service desk also includes a link to the Virtual SE Team, a team of Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers who are instantly accessible via e-mail to offer free presales technical support to subscribers.
With Priority Plus, MCSPs are given high escalation for their technical support incidents. Priority Plus technical support includes priority access to Microsoft support engineers, special Server-Down support, the ability to submit support incidents via the Internet, Early Assist support for new and beta versions of key Microsoft products before they are released, and a special MCSP-only toll-free telephone number.
“These new technical services are the latest illustration of Microsoft’s commitment to the channel,”
said Steve Calkins, manager of engineering resources at Alpine Computer Systems.
“With Priority Plus, Microsoft listened to MCSP requests for an expanded high-end technical support offering. Now Alpine is able to better resolve our larger customers’ technical issues more quickly.”
“We are pleased to announce a technical service offering that supports the expertise of our MCSPs,”
said Juan Vegarra, director of the worldwide MCSP program at Microsoft.
“The MCSP Technical Service Desk and Priority Plus balance our support offerings so that any one of our more than 15,500 MCSPs can find an offering to best meet their customers’ needs.”
Microsoft Certified Solution Providers are independent organizations working with Microsoft that include a wide range of companies, such as system integrators, custom application developers, installation and deployment service providers, business consultants and training organizations. MCSPs add value by offering their customers a full range of services, including Internet, intranet and e-commerce solutions; line-of-business applications; and client/server implementations. For more information on the MCSP program, visit http://www.microsoft.com/certpartner/ .
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