|
 Dear Partner
This month we feature a variety of offers and other time-sensitive announcements – be sure to look for key dates in the sections below. Also, check out Exam Preps for SQL Server and Windows Server, which offer a great way for you to get ready for competency-required certification exams.
![clip_image001[1]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/clip_image0011_thumb.png?w=244&h=5 "clip_image001[1]") What’s New
Through April 30: you could win a Windows 8 tablet!
Congrats to winners of the February “Win a Windows 8 Tablet” promotion! Eddie Duffy, a Senior Account Manager from Orchid Business Computing in the UK, won one of the Windows 8 tablets. Eddie has earned the Sales Specialist in Communications/Microsoft Lync solutions. The February Presales Technical Specialist winner is Anagha Ambalkar, a SharePoint developer from Genie Infotech in India. “I found the free, online BI presales course helpful in visualizing customer business requirements and providing solutions as per their existing business infrastructure,” explains Anagha. There’s still time for you to enter. Pass a Sales Specialist or Presales Technical Specialist assessment through April 30 and be entered to win a Windows 8 tablet. Complete details here.
Microsoft Competency Exam offer ends May 31
Purchase a pack of 3, 5, 8, or 20 competency exams for up to 40% off and, for a limited time, get a no-cost second chance to pass the exams if needed. This is only available until May 31, 2013, but if you order yours today, you have until December 31, 2013 to complete all exams.
|
|
Competency Specific Information
|
|
|
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
|
|
On-demand: Advanced Windows Store app development with HTML5 Jump Start
Microsoft technical evangelists Jeremy Foster and Michael Palermo deliver this accelerated course, full of great demos. Discover advanced techniques to help build Windows 8 apps that stand out. This one received excellent reviews and can help you prepare for Exam 70-482: Advanced Windows Store App Development using HTML5 and JavaScript.
Building web apps with ASP.NET Jump Start
Get an accelerated introduction to building modern web applications with ASP.NET, targeting key scenarios for building mobile ready websites, social web applications, and modern HTML5 browser features. Led by principal program manager Scott Hanselman and technical evangelist Jon Galloway.
Programming in C# Jump Start: Exam 70-483 preparation
Microsoft technical evangelist Jerry Nixon and co-founder of Crank211 Daren May deliver an engaging, demo-rich Jump Start course, now available on-demand on Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA). The accelerated course for intermediate to seasoned developers covers core concepts and features of C#. The course loosely follows the criteria for Exam 70-483.
On-demand Jump Start: build apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
Developers: learn best practices and techniques to help you deliver apps for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Engaging, demo-rich courses is led by senior technical evangelist Ben Riga.
|
|
APPLICATION LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
|
|
April 18 webcast: Important changes to SQL Server 2012 licensing model
Learn about the shift from the per processor licensing model to a per core licensing model for SQL Server 2012. These transition options can be complicated, and early indications show these are happening incorrectly. This Academy Live session will recap changes made and provide a guide on how to help customers transition correctly to a per core licensing model. In addition to this webcast, you can find valuable information on SQL Server licensing, sales, and migration on-demand using these Sales Specialist and Presales Technical Specialist training resources.
No-cost Exam Preps for SQL Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463.
PASS Business Analytics Conference April 10-12
Are you traveling to Chicago? This is your chance to get answers to data collection and analytics questions that impact your customers’ decision-making process. You also can network with thought leaders, learn industry-specific case studies, and apply the knowledge you learn to help customers stay ahead in the competitive marketplace.
|
|
COLLABORATION AND CONTENT
|
|
Ignite series: partner readiness days
Learn how to sell Office 365 to the enterprise, explore how to build your practice, and learn the new Office partner value proposition. Technical training also available. See the schedule and register here.
Office Ignite sales and technical content
For sales roles, the Office Ignite Sales modules provide you with insights, resources, and tools to sell the new Office to your SMB and enterprise customers. Learn best practices, discover selling programs, and explore available tools to help you.
For technical partners, check out the Office Ignite Technical modules, a mix of 300- and 400-level content. These sessions are designed for IT professionals and Exchange administrators who develop, design, or deploy for their organizations or customers. Note that these modules require both a technical background and experience with prior versions of Office, Office 365, and Exchange. sales readiness March 15, 2013
• Bangalore Technical readiness March 18-20, 2013, Partner O365 sales readiness March 21, 2013
• Beijing Technical readiness March 26-28, 2013
• Miami Technical readiness April 9-11, 2013, Partner O365 sales readiness April 8, 2013
For more info or to register go to http://aka.ms/bg01e5sales readiness March 15, 2013
• Bangalore Technical readiness March 18-20, 2013, Partner O365 sales readiness March 21, 2013
• Beijing Technical readiness March 26-28, 2013
• Miami Technical readiness April 9-11, 2013, Partner O365 sales readiness April 8, 2013
|
|
COMMUNICATIONS
|
|
|
|
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
|
|
Did you miss Convergence?
If you registered for Virtual Convergence, you can access sessions and content on-demand, including replays of the keynote and general sessions.
|
|
DATA PLATFORM
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for SQL Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463.
|
|
DEVICES AND DEPLOYMENT
|
|
On-demand Jump Start: build apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
Developers: learn best practices and techniques to help you deliver apps for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Engaging, demo-rich courses is led by senior technical evangelist Ben Riga.
|
|
DIGITAL MARKETING
|
| |
|
ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING
|
|
Date Change for Competency Exam Requirement
The retirement date for Exam 70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Implementation and Maintenance, previously communicated as May 2013, has been moved to October 2013. Your company must employ or contract with MCPs who have passed Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases prior to your first renewal date after October 2013.
Reminder: Microsoft Certification Exams Now Available
A reminder that the following exams are available in advance of upcoming certification requirements for the ERP competency:
Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 (required starting in October 2013):
o Exam MB7-700: Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Installation & Configuration
o Exam MB7-701: Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Core Setup & Finance
o Exam MB7-702: Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 C/Side Development
Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 (required starting in January 2014):
o Exam MB3-700: Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Installation & Configuration
Microsoft Dynamics C5 2012 (required starting in January 2014):
o Exam MB5-700: Microsoft Dynamics C5 2012 Application Consultant
Did you miss Convergence?
If you registered for Virtual Convergence, you can access sessions and content on-demand, including replays of the keynote and general sessions.
|
|
HOSTING
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412.
|
|
IDENTITY AND ACCESS
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exam 70-412.
|
|
MANAGEMENT AND VIRTUALIZATION
|
|
April 3: MVA live Q&A on Microsoft Virtualization
Interested in Microsoft virtualization? Join senior technical evangelist Symon Perriman April 3 8:30-10:30 a.m. Pacific for a live Q&A session focused on topics covered in the “Introduction to Hyper-V Jump Start. In case you missed that Jump Start, it is now available on-demand. Bring your questions to the Q&A! Register now.
Gain access to data center migration tools
When you complete Practice Accelerator for Data Center Consolidation and Migration, you become qualified to access the Virtual Machine Migration Toolkit. This toolkit helps automate the migration of virtual machines for conversion to Hyper-V.
|
|
MESSAGING
|
|
|
|
MIDMARKET SOLUTION PROVIDER
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-410, 70-411, 70-462, and 70-463.
|
|
MOBILITY
|
|
Programming in C# Jump Start
Microsoft technical evangelist Jerry Nixon and co-founder of Crank211 Daren May deliver an engaging, demo-rich Jump Start course, now available on-demand on Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA). The accelerated course for intermediate to seasoned developers covers core concepts and features of C#. The course loosely follows the criteria for Exam 70-483.
On-demand Jump Start: build apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8
Developers: learn best practices and techniques to help you deliver apps for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Engaging, demo-rich courses is led by senior technical evangelist Ben Riga.
|
|
OEM
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412.
|
|
PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
SERVER PLATFORM
|
|
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exams 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412.
|
|
SMALL BUSINESS
|
|
Exam 74-324: Schedule your exams
If you registered to take Exam 74-324 using the free vouchers, be sure to complete it before June 30, 2013 when the code expires. If you need to reschedule or cancel an exam, proper notice is required and fees may apply. Get more details on the updated Training Spotlight blog post.
No-cost Exam Preps for Windows Server 2012
Do you know about the 90 Days to MCSA program? It’s a plan of action with a focus on Windows Server and SQL Server that includes free Exam Preps, a clear roadmap, tools, and community support. Make a commitment to yourself and get started today. Includes training for Exam 70-410.
Practice Accelerator for Office 365 – no cost for Cloud Essentials and Cloud Accelerate partners
Did you recently join the Cloud Essentials program? If so, or if you are already a Cloud Essentials or Cloud Accelerate partner, you can take the Practice Accelerator for Office 365 at no cost. This Practice Accelerator can help you be sure you’re ready to help your customers move to the cloud. Get details here.
|
|
SOFTWARE ASSET MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
![clip_image001[1]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0011.png "clip_image001[1]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[2]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0012.png "clip_image001[2]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[3]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0013.png "clip_image001[3]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[4]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0014.png "clip_image001[4]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[5]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0015.png "clip_image001[5]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[6]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0016.png "clip_image001[6]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[7]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0017.png "clip_image001[7]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[8]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0018.png "clip_image001[8]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[9]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image0019.png "clip_image001[9]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[10]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00110.png "clip_image001[10]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[11]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00111.png "clip_image001[11]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[12]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00112.png "clip_image001[12]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[13]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00113.png "clip_image001[13]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[14]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00114.png "clip_image001[14]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[15]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00115.png "clip_image001[15]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[16]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00116.png "clip_image001[16]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[17]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00117.png "clip_image001[17]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[18]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00118.png "clip_image001[18]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[19]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00119.png "clip_image001[19]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[20]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00120.png "clip_image001[20]"){kind=small}
![clip_image001[21]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/clip_image00121.png "clip_image001[21]"){kind=small}
.png "Migrate your SharePoint solutions to apps")
.png)
![clip_image001[1]](http://beluxpartnerblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/clip_image0011.png "clip_image001[1]"){kind=small}
