Microsoft Approves Delayed Small Business Competency

Microsoft has announced it will introduce a Small Business Competency scheme  into its Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) in June, after delaying the programme’s launch by more than a year. It expects the competency to become the largest in the MPN. It will focus on cloud computing and is designed to give partners a way to take advantage of the growing market for cloud services aimed at smaller organisations.

Cloud opportunity

“As the cloud opportunity continues to expand and mature in the small-business segment, this new competency will enable each Small Business Competency partner to have a cloud conversation with each of their customers,” stated Jon Roskill, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Group.

MPN general manager Julie Bennani said the competency was developed based on partner feedback and was designed to help partners distinguish themselves.

“Earning a silver or gold in the Small Business Competency will enable you to expand your customer base by enhancing your marketing, sales, and technical capabilities,” Benanni wrote in a blog post. “In addition to the use of a new Small Business Competency logo, you will be able to gain access to a broad set of internal usage rights for cloud services as well as on-premise products, priority listing in the Pinpoint marketplace, and great technical support benefits.”

Delays

Microsoft was initially expected to include a Small Business Competency in the MPN when it launched in late 2010. In the event it decided against introducing that competency, leaving partners to choose between the Midmarket Solutions Provider Competency or more specialised competencies such as Business Intelligence or Portals and Collaboration.

In December 2011, Bennani told partners it was returning to its plans to bring in a competency focused on small businesses. At that time Bennani said the launch was planned for the spring, but this has now been pushed back to June.