Post-Empower ISV Options

Hi all,

The company I work for has been in the Empower ISV program for almost two years. During that time, we have completed version 1.0 of a very large (about 800,000 LOC) enterprise application. We have made a few sales, but we're not rolling in the cash yet (hopefully that will change soon). We are still adding new features to our product, fixing bugs, etc, and as such we still need development tools. Since all of our tools are covered under the Empower ISV program, we'll have to switch to something else once our subscription expires. What exactly are our options Is there anything that isn't going to cost us an arm and a leg I doubt there's anything that's as cost effective as the $375/year we've been paying for Empower ISV, but is there something that isn't an order of magnitude more expensive

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Post-Empower ISV Options

BradN

I would suggest you give the Empower folks a call. Depending upon the circumstance they may be able to extend for an additional six months. But talk to those guys.

Also the certified partner level is a really good deal too. it costs more than Empower but it looks like it offers more benefits.
Janicita

Hi Brian -- Check out the information at https://partner.microsoft.com/global/program/programoverview/certifiedpartner and see if this will meet your needs.

Good luck!
--The Microsoft ISV Buddy Team
mranzani
Hi Melody -

We're facing a similar situation: we have a hosted application that the client will not be ready to accept when our program enrollment ends in June 2007. In mid-development, the client decided to upgrade to SQL Server 2005, and while that did not affect our development, the client has spent the past 6 months (and expects to spend another 4 months, maybe longer) changing-over. When they finish and accept the product, we can market it; until then, we are waiting on them.

No immediate path to Certified Partner. We can have the application tested, but will fall one Client Reference short of reaching 50-points.

We'd be very interested in hearing more about a potential extension of our enrollment. It would be nice to finish out 2007; by then we'll be in a position to upgade to Certified Partner.

Where could I learn more

Tinker
Ska Software

Hi Tinker,

The Third year reenrollment is a special offering and only valid for partners completing their second year on or before June 30, 2007, in select countries. The Regional Service Center can review your eligibility and answer any questions. You can find the contact information for your Regional Service Center at https://partner.microsoft.com/global/program/competencies/40012682.
Richard Proudfoot

Hi Brian,

If your product is complete, by getting your product tested and submitting three customer references you would be eligible to become a Certified Partner through the ISV Competency. At the Certified level you receive additional software benefits as well as marketing and sales tools to help further grow your business. If you are not yet ready to move up to this level, we are currently doing a special, limited time offer to reenroll in Empower for ISVs for a third year, but you must do so before your current enrollment expires. Your Regional Service Center can give you information on the reenrollment offer, as well as details comparing the various levels and benefits available through the Microsoft Partner Program.
LalitSRana
Thank you.

We expire on June 15th this year. I will certainly contact the regional center.

Tinker
Post-Empower ISV Options

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