I have been a MAPS subscriber for a few years now. I was looking over the Action Pack details on the Partner Network site today and I noticed that under the details, licensing and eligibility section the qualifying businesses scope is quite wide and beyond those from a purely 'IT provider' profession. These include web developers and accounting professionals - both of which I have in my client base. Does this mean I can introduce some of my clients to the benefits of the MAPS programme? I can see how at a push web developers 'may' qualify if they are developing for hosting using Microsoft technologies i.e. SQL, ASP.net, IIS etc. but does this mean that they can legitimately use MAPS software for in house business use? How would accountants qualify? Do they have to actively sell Microsoft Accounting Professional to their clients?
Any help appreciated.
Hiya Firebelly, (I'm sure there is another name somewhere for you)
The Action Pack is open to a wide audience and yes web developers and accounting professional do qualify. Microsoft tell me accounting professionals qualify because they are trusted advisors of businesses and by being able to use Microsoft products in house are likely to recommend them to their clients as their businesses grow. In my opinion that very rarely happens - the accountant uses MAPS and concentrates on advising their customers with accounts not Microsoft software, but who am I to argue.
feel free to promote it to your customers, they probably qualify. problem for you then is you won't make a profit on selling full licences and Microsoft (in my opinion) lose out too. Also MAPS is limited in licences. MAPS doesn't always give you the same software rights as buying full retail or Open Value.
Andy Trish
Director
NCI Technologies, Microsoft Gold Partner