Welcome to the New Microsoft Hosting University!

Welcome back to Microsoft Hosting University!

You may have noticed some changes to our site, and we hope you and your team enjoy them. Let’s take a moment to outline some of the new portal features.

FY12 Hostapaloooza Update

Hostapaloooza is a live, in-person event, sponsored by Microsoft Hosting University and focused on helping mid-market web hosters and service providers activate new customers. Our most recent events on our South America tour in Chile and Argentina were a huge success over 100 providers from a variety of different IT Hosting disciplines participating in standing room only venues. The balance of our 2011 event series includes Houston, TX on 11/10 and Bogota, Colombia on 11/17. These events are promising to produce similar results.

Hosting University Languages Update

Did you know that Microsoft Hosting University is currently available in five languages and that even more localized versions are currently in production? As Hosting University’s global reach expands, translated versions of the website are being launched to cater to the specific needs of your SPLA partners.

Hosting University Cobrand Update

With many new improvements to the Microsoft Hosting University portal, now is the time for every SPLA Reseller to invest in their own cobranded version of Hosting University. Designed specifically to help drive SPLA business to the next level, cobranding includes a customized and branded site with your own logo, an “About Us” page with your information, a “Contact Us” page, and your own promotional advertisements showcasing your products and services.

Microsoft SQL Server Hosting Solutions: New Resources for Hosters

New SQL Server for Hosters training is available on TechNet. The training will provide the newest Microsoft SQL Server sales and marketing kit which can empower SPs to drive successful conversations about SQL Server. Also provided is campaign content, directed at technical decision makers or business decision makers that want to deploy and run new or existing applications on SQL Server 2008 R2 in a hosted environment...

Announcing Newly Released Guidance for Hosted Microsoft CRM 2011

Deployment and Operational Guidance has been released to assist service providers who are interested in hosting Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Make sure to share this valuable link with information on Dynamics CRM 2011 with your SPLA partners...

Excite Customers and Prospects with a Windows Phone 7 for Hosted Exchange Campaign

The Windows Phone 7 Phone launched to significant market buzz and favorable reviews.
To help you take advantage of this broad air cover, we created a sales and marketing campaign for our hosting partners that is designed to help you start a conversation with your customers and prospects about how hosted Exchange solutions can help mobile business users improve productivity when combined with the new Windows Phone 7...

Have you earned Silver or Gold?

Earning a Silver or Gold competency from Microsoft provides a great way for customers and potential customers to recognize your expertise. If you have already attained either of these competencies, please follow the following link to find press release templates to announce that you have earned a silver or gold competency...

New Web Hosting Solutions Sales & Marketing Materials

Follow this link to find new, customizable email templates as well as a valuable telesales script aimed at helping hosters showcase the benefits of having a hosted Microsoft web platform. Hosters can use these to attract new business from web designers and developers, IT generalists, and from small and medium businesses (SMBs)...

Service Providers – Lower Management Costs with Opalis

Service Providers looking for ways to reduce costs should consider Opalis which allows Service Providers to deliver IT services to customers faster and at lower cost. Opalis offers system to system integration and captures user-logic, making customer-specific problems as simple to automate as standard service offerings...

Hosting University May 2011 Newsletter

Have you ever felt like you are “at the right place at the right time”? Well, with interest in the cloud and in hosting growing at a phenomenal rate, hosting businesses are in that right place – the place to benefit!

FREE Dynamic Data Center Toolkit Training

During the spring and summer of 2011, FREE in-depth technical training will be provided to hosting partners interested in launching Windows and Linux-based managed hosting and cloud offers based on Windows Server 2008 / Hyper-V, System Center, utilizing the lastest version of the Dynamic Data Center Toolkit...

Stay current – the latest information on License Mobility

As you all know, at the Microsoft Hosting Summit on March 30, 2011, Microsoft announced License Mobility though Software Assurance will be available starting July 1....

WPC 2011 – Cloud Hosting Providers Track

The upcoming WPC is fast approaching and our Service Providers should consider attending. Register for WPC 2011 and plan on attending the Cloud Hosting Providers track. This track is designed for partners who build, sell, host or deliver infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud solutions. Also, the hosting track will give you the information you need to make informed business decisions about online opportunities with information on product roadmaps, go-to-market strategies, and available resources...

SPLAR Corners on Hosting University – Coming Soon

Microsoft Hosting University is proud to announce that “Worldwide SPLAR Corners” — secure, regional portals for qualified SPLA Resellers — will soon reside on Hosting University!

Hosting University WebMatrix Module

Microsoft has released a new development tool that bridges the gap between Enterprise-level and entry-level computing. Now novice developers, small development teams, and even experienced developers new to .NET are all on a level playing field with their more seasoned Windows development counter parts...

New Training Tool – On-demand Webcast for your new SPLA Partners

We have now made available on Microsoft Hosting University a Webcast session that serves as an introduction to the SPLA program. The session reviews program basics and compares the SPLA licensing program to other volume licensing programs from Microsoft. The Webcast, which is also available as a PPT provides a valuable comprehensive overview of the program – and it’s available on demand...

New Hosted Microsoft Web Platform Sales and Marketing Kit

To help your hosters showcase the benefits of a hosted Microsoft Web platform, Microsoft has created a customizable set of materials that hosters can tailor to their specific product and service offerings. These materials include email templates and a telesales script focusing on three key customer audiences: Web designers and developers, IT generalists, and small and medium-sized businesses. Make sure to share this valuable marketing kit with your SPLA partners!

Have your Hosters joined the Microsoft Web Hosting Gallery yet?

We recently introduced our readers to the power of WebMatrix and the potential to drive new business with the Web Hosting Gallery. Well, we have just learned that more than 350 Hosters worldwide have become WebMatrix spotlight partners already! This means that the partners that are being featured in the Microsoft Web Hosting Gallery are receiving complimentary promotion of their services...

New WP7 Sales and Marketing Campaign for Hosters!

Have you seen the Windows Phone 7 module on Hosting University? With the launch of the Windows Phone 7 new business opportunities are now available for hosters. Microsoft has designed a sales and marketing campaign for hosting partners that is to help them start a conversation with existing customers and with prospective customers about how hosted Exchange solutions can help mobile business users improve productivity when combined with the new Windows Phone 7...

New SPLA Program Module now available on Hosting University!

Microsoft Hosting University continues to expand its knowledge base as it grows to meet the needs of the SPLA partner community with the recent launch of the new SPLA Program module. The SPLA Program module is designed to further support SPLA Resellers business by adding to the existing product, licensing, and sales & marketing resources available on Hosting University with yet another vital part of the SPLA business model- program and partner-facing programmatic information.

Microsoft Hosting University Winter 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to the Winter 2011 edition of Microsoft Hosting University News! The new calendar year is recently upon us and SPLA momentum is already in high gear. Please read this newsletter, click through our portal modules, and share it with your SPLA partners. Together, you will learn how to adopt and deploy all of the latest SPLA resources designed to help you and your collection of partners build your businesses with relevant solutions related to SPLA and to the Windows Hosting platform.

Thank You From Hosting University

The momentum continues at Microsoft Hosting University, as we grow as the online resource for product and platform information on the Windows Hosting platform for the breadth market in SPLA. At this point, we would like to extend a well-deserved “thank you” to our Reseller partners, who have provided us with support and feedback that has proven invaluable to our growth and to our success...

Case Study: Switzerland-Based Provider Helps Cable TV Operators Set Up Virtual Hosting Instantly

Finecom Telecommunications in Switzerland replaced dedicated physical servers with “swissV” from netrics hosting, which uses Hyper-V virtualization technology. A new TV information channel now takes less than 30 minutes to deliver on a self-service basis, instead of up to two weeks...

Case Study: Hosting Company Uses Virtualization Solution to Set Up New Clients in Just 15 Minutes

France-based hosting company Agarik based its Cloud Maker solution on Hyper-V technology in Windows Server 2008 R2, which can integrate with either Windows or Linux operating systems. Customers purchase their hosting services easily online, and their virtual machines get delivered in less than 15 minutes...

New Membership Structure for the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)

Are you ready for the new changes to the Microsoft Partner Program?
Effective at the end of October 2010, the membership structure of the Microsoft Partner Network will change. Hosting University wants to make sure that you, our SPLA Reseller partners, have all the information you need to embrace the new changes and to pass the information on accurately to your SPLA partners.

MPN and the Microsoft Hosting Competency

Tell your partners about the Hosting Competency! Find out more about what’s required to earn a hosting competency on the Hosting Competency Requirements page of the Microsoft Partner Network and help grow SPLA business!

Add Value to your Services – Help your Hosters Reach More Customers through the Web Hosting Gallery

In today’s demanding market, Resellers need to provide cost-conscious ideas to help their hosters stay competitive.
Have you heard that there’s a new marketplace where hosters can market their offerings to developers and small businesses for no cost at all?

Hosting University Co-brand Opportunities

July marked the live launch of the first three co-branded Microsoft Hosting University portals!
We join with Software House International in the US, Softcat in the UK, and Kryptos in India in celebrating this truly unique opportunity.

Licensing Resources on Microsoft Hosting University Grow!

In response to SPLA Reseller and partner requests for more licensing information, Microsoft Hosting University now offers several licensing related resources. Here is a synopsis of what is available on Hosting University...

Hosting University 1 Year Anniversary

Wow, what a fantastic year it has been!
First, as we collectively embrace the first anniversary of Microsoft Hosting University, I want to extend big thanks to all of you for actively embracing, adopting and supporting this effort. Without your consistent usage, feedback, support and participation, we could never have delivered the solid results shared below...

Activating SPLA Accounts – Faster Time to Market

As a Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) reseller, you want to activate your SPLA Accounts as quickly as possible. And you want to ensure those SPLA Accounts are successful upon activation. Achieving a high rate of activation means a faster time to market for the SPLA Accounts, and more revenue for you both...

How Can Hosters Leverage Windows Azure?

As a Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) reseller, you want to help your SPLA Accounts leverage every opportunity to reach new customers, increase revenue and become more successful...

Microsoft Study Reveals SMB's Using Hosted Services Have Better Financial Performance

“It’s no coincidence that as more and more small businesses focus on their core offering and less on IT, they’re more successful. We’re now very excited to share the evidence supporting this claim from a hosted services standpoint.” – Matthew Haynes | Industry Director, Communications Sector, Hosting, Microsoft Corp.

SPLA Productivity, a Necessary and Attainable Goal

Ever wonder why the boss always gives new assignments to be the busiest person in the office? Because they simply get the job done. In this spirit, the SMS&P group within Microsoft is getting the job done...

Help Your SPLA Accounts Reach More Customers with the Microsoft Hosting Solutions Competency

As a Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) reseller, you want to help your SPLA Accounts leverage every opportunity they can to engage, communicate, and interact with customers. More customers means more revenue, for both you and your SPLA Accounts...

Hosting University Chinese

Communicating effectively with your SPLA partners can sometimes be challenging – especially if your audiences are diversified and they are not all exclusively speaking English. Clearly, effective communication is essential for bottom line results, for both you and your SPLA partners...

Hosting University Czech

Central to the launch of the portal were key SPLA Resellers, DAQUAS and Servo Data. In an effort to realize the true benefits of Microsoft Hosting University in Czech, these two SPLA Resellers executed several marketing motions all aimed at assisting local teams in their efforts of activating and onboarding regional SPLA service providers...

SPLA Resellers: Grow Your Business with New Opportunities and Greater Incentives

As a Services Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA) reseller you play an integral role in the success of Microsoft’s Windows web hosting platform. Alongside the launch of Hosting University (Hosting U.), Microsoft has made a significant investment in growing your business by improving its products and offering better licensing options that you can pass along to your customers...

New Licensing Model Announced for Windows Web Server

Microsoft is making significant changes to the use rights for Windows Server 2008, and as a SPLA Reseller you should advise your SPLA accounts of this exciting information...

SPLA Essentials: A Simplified Licensing Option for Hosting Providers

SPLA Essentials is a new offering from the Microsoft Services Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA) program targeted at small to mid-sized hosters, Web developers and Independent Software Vendors. The SPLA Essentials offering is ideal for partners that want to license the latest Microsoft products but do not require the extended program rights of SPLA...

Six Ways to Extend your Customers' Web sites with Windows Web Platform

Knowledge combined with the right tools leads to success. As a student of Hosting University (Hosting U.), your customers get immediate access to Microsoft’s updates to learn how to start using the latest tools to extend your services and your customers’ Web sites right away...

Microsoft Hosting University: Ushering in a New Era of Windows Hosting Platform Education

By now you’ve heard about Microsoft Hosting University (Hosting U.) – our new portal dedicated to SPLA partners and resellers. The Windows Platform thrives on the success of our SPLA partners, and Hosting U. is Microsoft’s response to your request for platform support and partner tools designed to accelerate hosters time to market. Also, Hosting U. helps hosters learn how to optimize their growth, build solutions, as well as advocate adoption of our hosting platform, solutions and tools...