Dana Murgan, Partner Development and Marketing Manager for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, who was in Bahrain to launch the Microsoft Solution Competencies and Partner Points as additional features of the partner programme in the presence of top executives from large local and regional IT organisations, said that Bahrain has been very consistent in developing its IT infrastructure according to the needs of the future mode of business. Murgan, in an interview, told the Tribune that the steps taken by the Government have helped the country to achieve excellence in various e-government related areas. The event was held at the Sheraton Hotel and attended by about 80 partners and vendors and was also addressed by Samir Benmakhlouf, Microsoft Business Development Manager in Bahrain.
He said: "Microsoft's launch of latest series of its programme, which is the first programme in Bahrain, marks a milestone in the redesign of the Microsoft Partner Programme to best meet the business needs of the partners.
Murgan said Microsoft company has been developed by its partners and the company would continue to invest in this initiative. "Our company's 98 per cent revenue comes from the partners in other means as Microsoft has been developed into a successful business model by its global partners," he emphasised. "Our partnership programme in Bahrain has also witnessed major strides as number of businesses have emerged as a success story," he said.
"The Microsoft Solution Competencies and Partner Points addition has been designed to help our partners clearly define their areas of specialisation to deliver value across the range of customer IT needs. The programme enables partners of all sizes and types to participate in the Microsoft Partner Programme level that best meets their individual business needs. They do so by recognising partner's full impact in the marketplace and differentiating between those which provide the best value and skills for the customers," he said.
"The Microsoft Solution Competencies and Partner Points make it easier for partners to position themselves with their customers and better align their business with Microsoft marketing initiatives and business groups," he said.
"The two new components are central to the enhanced Microsoft Partner Programme and are intended to provide flexibility and increased focus based on partner's core business values. These also enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners who meet the customers' needs," he said. Samir Benmakhlouf said: "Microsoft greatly values its partners. Our partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers. The Microsoft Solution Competencies and Partner Points mark the first step in delivering a revolution in partnering innovation and implementing it across our worldwide channel in an evolutionary way, meeting our goal to build the best in-class industry partner programme that generates results for our partners, and delivers additional value to our customer."
"Partners can earn Partner Points by meeting specific criteria for a variety of activities related to developing, reselling, servicing and supporting solutions; and providing customer training. Partner Points can be earned for Microsoft Premier Certified Professional certifications, tested Microsoft-based solutions, customer satisfaction, unit sales of official Microsoft learning products and distributed licences. Partners can also accrue Partner Points by achieving a Microsoft solution competency."
"Partner Points recognise a partner's full impact with its customers, rather than focusing on a narrow set of criteria. Once enrolled in the Microsoft Partner Programme, partners can move to a higher level by meeting the Partner Points requirements. The Microsoft Partner Programme is a programme that drives our partner's success with the ultimate goal to increase our customer value and satisfaction," Samir added.
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