Press release
1st July,
2008 - Today, Microsoft launches a new online networking community to allow
businesses to meet, connect and partner with one another. Aimed at its
36,000-strong partner community in the UK, the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)
provides an innovative way for IT companies to access skills, expertise and resources
from others as well as to collaborate on new business and projects.
The MPN builds on the success of consumer focussed social networking sites to
use the power of such technology to bring businesses together. Developed
in response to demand for networking opportunities, it provides an
innovative way for Microsoft partners to connect with each other, which, when
combined with the events and other networking tools that Microsoft provides,
gives them even greater access to the skills and expertise they need. Already,
over 1,400 partners have joined the Microsoft Partner Network.
Simon Gautrey, Group Manager, Audience Marketing and Strategy, Microsoft UK
said: “Research has indicated that partners who network are 5% more
successful that those that don’t - it is commonplace now for our partners
to network with one another and, as a result, pitch for bigger contracts where
often a multitude of skills are needed to respond to a customer’s needs.
This is why we have developed the MPN - to make it easier for partners to seek
out and connect with suitable affiliates to combine skills in order to either
win new business or to better meet customer expectations.”
Gautrey continues: “We’ve long advocated the benefits of channel
businesses partnering with each other; the challenge has often been around how
they can effectively achieve this. That’s why we host so many events each
year and why we’re keen to use technology to aid this community, thereby
bringing the power of social networking to the business environment.”
The community has been in beta since February 2008 and has already been
beneficial for many partners in the UK. One example of those successes is
F1Group, a Lincolnshire-based IT consultancy. F1Group had a new customer
opportunity that required expertise in Microsoft Dynamics technology, an area
which isn’t currently a core competency of this partner. Through
the MPN, F1 Group connected with a Dynamics partner, Northampton DY, and
together, both companies were able to pitch for and secure a significant deal.
Andrew Bel-Dean, Senior Technology Manager, F1 Group said: “The Microsoft
Partner Network is a fantastic innovation. As a direct result of using the
community, we were able to connect with Northampton DY and together we won a
major five-figure deal – without the community, winning this contract wouldn’t
have been possible. I love the fact that not only is the MPN a great
source of information but it also provides a forum to interact and share
experiences with my industry peers. I think it’s unique and an amazing resource
for our company, as a Microsoft partner.”
Microsoft partners wishing to join the MPN can do so by visiting: www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/networks