It was with good reason that 14,000 channel partners enrolled as a Cloud Essentials (CE) member in the first week that Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) streamlined the enrollment process. For the first time partners joining or re-enrolling in MPN could enroll in CE with a single click.
We are confident that we will continue to see this increase in CE enrollment because the benefits of the membership are too good to pass up. The included no-cost benefits as an enrolled Cloud Essentials member provides your company with its first steps towards having a growing and viable Cloud capable business.
In November 28, 2012 coverage on CRN, they recognized the benefits of joining Cloud Essentials:
“Cloud Essentials is for partners who are new to cloud computing. The program's chief benefit is 25 free licenses for Microsoft's key cloud computing products --Office 365, Windows Intune and Dynamics CRM Online -- to use internally.”
The idea behind Microsoft providing partners with licenses is that partners can use the Microsoft Cloud products internally and thoroughly understand them. With this first hand understanding of the products, partners are more likely to sell the Microsoft Cloud solutions to their customers. Jon Roskill, our World Wide Partner Group CVP, put this rationale simply, “Use the Cloud to Sell the Cloud.”
In addition to the included licenses, CE partners are given cloud training courses, access to online technical support communities, assistance in marketing, and core advisor incentives.
MPN wants to make “Winning Together” between Microsoft and their partners as streamlined and easy as possible. Enrolling in CE and utilizing the included benefits is a great gateway to engage with Microsoft Cloud solutions and grow your Cloud business.
Join Microsoft® Cloud Essentials and utilize your benefits!
By deploying your Cloud Essentials internal-use software you gain valuable hands-on experience that can help you more effectively sell cloud solutions and support your customers. In fact, Cloud Essential Partners that deploy and use these products are more effective in selling cloud solutions because they understand the product they are selling! There is no better time than now to get started.