LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2002 — Today at Microsoft Fusion 2002, Microsoft Corp. announced it has launched a worldwide incentive program for channel partners that focus on small-business customers. This key channel investment is designed to support partners by rounding out the Microsoft® Small Business Server 2000 solution with their services, helping customers gain maximum value from their Windows®
Server technology. Microsoft Windows Server channel partners will be equipped with a full set of resources to expand their service offerings for small-business customers. The program offers a variety of new incentives, including free training, technical and marketing resources, and up to a $500 rebate to channel partners for services they deliver in conjunction with Small Business Server 2000.
“We know that our success always has and will continue to hinge on the success of our partners, from the smallest reseller to the largest global partner,” said Bill Veghte, corporate vice president of the Windows .NET Server Group at Microsoft. “Our No. 1 goal is customer satisfaction, and we depend on our partners, which deliver Microsoft technology as part of a valuable solution, to achieve this. The Small Business Server incentive program is focused right at the core of this goal, by delivering increased training, technical and marketing resources.”
“ConnectWise is really going to take advantage of this incentive program,” said Arnie Bellini, president of ConnectWise. “As far as the customer is concerned, the bottom line is that value equals product plus services. Microsoft is very interested in providing value to the customer and value to its partners, and this program proves that by equipping resellers with the tools to really complete that equation.”
The channel incentive program encourages resellers to offer services such as installation and help-desk support, training, user and server administration, and maintenance agreements for their customers using Small Business Server 2000. Although specifics of the program may vary by country, key program elements include a business opportunity session and a hands-on lab event, where partners receive free training on Small Business Server and leave equipped with all the resources they need to become successful selling, deploying and supporting Windows-based servers for small businesses. In addition, when a partner provides services to enhance the value of the Small Business Server product, the partner is eligible to receive up to a $500 rebate for services delivered with the product. The partner then also qualifies for referrals from http://www.microsoft.com/ , and their customers will receive follow-up from Microsoft, to measure and enhance satisfaction.
“Since the second version of Small Business Server came out, it’s been a tremendous product — the current version is a work of art,”
said Eliot Sennett, president of ESI Enterprises Inc.
“For us, services have been a very important part of a sale. This offering from Microsoft is an opportunity for resellers to qualify as experts in installing, maintaining and supporting this great product. When you’re in competition with other resellers, the ability to offer enhanced services and do a better job is one way to get the best reputation in the field.”
Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 is the ideal first and essential server solution for small businesses, designed to deliver simplicity and value to meet the unique requirements of small-business customers. Optimized for channel delivery and support, Small Business Server 2000 enables file and printer sharing, e-mail and group scheduling, secure and shared Internet connectivity, and remote network access, and is built on a proven Windows 2000 platform on which customers may run any of thousands of server-based business applications.
More information on Small Business Server and the Windows Server family of products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/sbserver/.
About Fusion
Since its debut in 1996, Microsoft Fusion has become the largest and most anticipated worldwide partner event of the year, providing valuable information, networking opportunities and product exhibits for Microsoft partners. More information can be found at http://www.microsoftfusion.com/.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. Journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team for additional assistance.
