REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 28, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the general availability of the Microsoft ® Partner Channel Builder online tool, a key addition to the sales enablement benefits provided to industry partners through the Microsoft Partner Program. Partner Channel Builder enables Microsoft’s Gold Certified and Certified Partners to collaborate with one another by calling out opportunities to form new alliances and deliver complete end-to-end solutions for customers and by identifying potential revenue opportunities that enable them to grow their business in new markets and geographies.
“Partner Channel Builder will allow Configuresoft’s continued development of our Services Channel and help grow our business in new regions and market segments,” said Jim Whitney, director of Business Alliances for Configuresoft Inc., a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that participated in a prototype of the online tool. “We will use Partner Channel Builder as a cornerstone tool in the execution of our worldwide channel strategy.”
Gold Certified and Certified Partners can use the online tool to provide detailed descriptions of the solutions and expertise they deliver, as well as the specific markets and customer segments their solutions target. Gold Certified and Certified Partners that may require additional skills to meet an existing customer proposal can also post the required complementary expertise so partners can join forces to deliver the end-to-end solution. Partners will be able to list their company’s Microsoft Partner Program competencies as a way to define their expertise. Registered partners will also be able to take advantage of the Partner Channel Builder online tool by using browse-only functions to find and contact potential business partners. Partners may access the Partner Channel Builder online tool at http://www.microsoft.com/partner/channelbuilder .
“Partner Channel Builder allows partners to draw upon the demonstrated skills and expertise of the vast Microsoft partner community to complement their solutions offerings and win more business,” said Kevin Wueste, general manager of the Microsoft Partner Program. “Customers are looking for Microsoft partners to deliver complete solutions to meet the wide range of their business and IT needs. With over 240,000 partners in the Microsoft Partner Program, the ability for partners to find the complementary skills their customers need is tremendous.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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