Thanks for the summary on the Action Pack.
The qualifications for getting it include a small online test. What is the thrust of this test? Having spent all my time on studying software development subjects, the thought of providing answers to sales and marketing questions does raise a shudder or two. Paul Keen From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jorke Odolphi Sent: Thursday, 29 April 2010 5:56 PM To: ozDotNet Subject: RE: Empower Program being terminated / new Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design - thoughts? More info will be available closer to the 24th May but this is what we have right now - If you have questions I won't answer them before then - but you can try our support line https://partner.microsoft.com/Australia/supportsecurity/contactus or check out the blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/auspartners/ Jorke Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider Get the resources you need to help drive your business forward, including: . Hands-on experience with a range of the most current Microsoft internal-use products to use, test, and evaluate for a very low price. Use the included TechNet partner edition subscription to help you evaluate, test, and troubleshoot Microsoft infrastructure products, technologies, and information so you can get the most out of your time and investment. . Sales resources such as quarterly sales webinars and broad market visibility on Microsoft customer directories. . Microsoft financing to help you grow revenue via tailored financing solutions, which can cover hardware, software and services. Even third-party vendors are included. . Cost in Australia is (Digital Download only) AUD$406 including GST or Digital Download plus Media AUD $528 Including GST Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design Get the resources you need to develop innovative solutions and grow your business: . Key development and testing tools with Visual StudioR Professional with MSDN Essentials (partner edition), the latest Microsoft products and technologies, and 10 hours of design support and development guidance. . Business development resources. . Broad market visibility on Microsoft customer directories. . Price in Australia is (Digital Download only) AUD $527 including GST or Digital Download plus Media AUD $648 Including GST Microsoft WebsiteSpark Get the tools you need to ignite the success of your business, including: . Fast, easy, and immediate access to key Microsoft development tools and Web server production licenses at no upfront cost. . Free online training, managed newsgroups, and access to the MSDN developer community and resources. . Connect with WebsiteSpark Network Partners, Hosting Partners, other Web developers, and investors. . No charge to join Microsoft BizSpark Get the resources you need to move your business forward, including: . Fast and easy access to Microsoft tools and technologies, at no upfront costs. . Unlimited email support, online training, and invitations to local technical events. . Global exposure to an audience of potential customers, investors and partners. . No charge to join From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Trevor Andrew Sent: Wednesday, 14 April 2010 8:48 PM To: 'ozDotNet' Subject: Empower Program being terminated / new Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design - thoughts? Hi All, Just wondering whether anyone can shed some light on the upcoming changes to the Empower program? From reading on the Partner web site, Empower is being replaced with a new edition of the Action Pack called the "Microsoft Action Pack Development And Design" on May 24th. I was looking at the most effective way of getting VS2010 and associated tools, and was reviewing again the requirements for Empower (agree to develop a product etc, etc). I was surprised to see the program was being phased out, and you wouldn't be able to enrol after May 21st. I spoke briefly with someone on the Partner help line, and they knew of this new edition of the Action Pack, but had no details of price, and they believed it couldn't even be ordered before the 24th. I'm interested in understanding why they're pulling Empower - My recollection, although I didn't confirm it today when speaking with the rep was that the program fee for Empower was reasonably small - was it $300 - can someone confirm. I'd also like to get some sort of a feel for how much this new Action Pack edition might cost? I've currently got a "standard" MAPS download only subscription which costs just on $400 annually, and as the "Development and Design" Action Pack pretty much builds on what's in the existing Action Pack, from what I can see ... https://partner.microsoft.com/Australia/program/managemembership/40133000 ... I suspect it's going to be considerably more expensive. Having read some of the end of life restrictions on Empower, such as some things not being available after November 2010 or the end of your year subscription, whichever comes first, I'm not sure it would make sense to join the Empower program now, except for the fact that without concrete information, I suspect it will be a cheaper outlay, albeit with the obligation to market a product, than waiting for this new "Development and Design" Action Pack. Although as Empower is being phased out, I'm assuming others already in the Empower program will already have Access to VS2010? So if anyone has thoughts / opinions / experiences regarding the Empower program, or greater detail on the new "Development and Design" Action Pack, I'd be delighted to hear them. Cheers, Trevor Andrew
