As you may have noticed we have recently launched a new service as part of the Microsoft Partner Network. Found at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/mympn this online application seeks to deliver targeted content to Microsoft partners.
One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive from you is that you struggle to find what you need (online.) This application seeks to deliver targeted messaging based on your Microsoft Partner Network profile.
I'd love to hear from you, as a partner, how you use the tool, what you need it to do, the content that you think is missing, etc, etc...
This is a great opportunity for you to help define the future direction of the Microsoft Partner Network's online strategy, please have your say.
Thanks,
Ed
Partner Online Lead, Microsoft Ltd
http://partner.microsoft.com/uk
Ed, thanks for the email requesting feedback.
My initial thoughts are that it is a great idea to have links to all the resources in one place so well done.
On a quick glance through I'm wondering how live this information is. What I mean is it says I'm not going to WPC, I am. It says I'm not qualified in CSAT, I am. getting live information is going to be key to the application. The colour and layout is good and the content is also good, not too little or too much.
I can see it is UK based at the moment, if Corp take it on it it going to be watered down with US stuff? How about those UK companies that are Global?
Andy
Hi Andy,
Thanks for these initial comments. On checking I have found that the data powering the WPC attendance is from 2009, not this year. I have requested that this be updated ASAP (thanks for spotting that! )
I will need to do some digging on the CSAT data too! I'll update you here as soon as I have more info.
Kind regards,
hmmm, that means last years data is wrong too Ed as I've been to the last 5 WPCs.
certainly the data most people want to see is the offers page. it would also be good to see a soon to be released page for new applications listing those that are close to be released.
actually, trying to access the site now and it appears to be down (15:48 25/5/2010)
Hi Andy, I have no problem accessing My MPN from here. Are you still having issues. We have not been informed of any issues, and as this is running on the microsoft.com domain everything is very closely managed.
Not good news on the WPC data, I will check the database and make sure that you are listed. More to follow.
actually rechecked and the problem is on your first post, you put a comma instead of a full stop in the path and thats what I clicked. so no worries, it was a typo. looks like the new data has been updated on WPC. it still doesnt actually tell me I'm attending.
I'm also using partner learning centre - it tells me I'm not. I'm more concerned about wrong information rather than no information if you get my meaning.
Hi Andy, have edited the URL, thanks for that spot!
While we investigate the data issues we have removed the link between the WPC item of content and the Partner Healthcheck tool. This means that you will no longer see a reference to whether you are using the benefit or not. Hope that makes sense.
I agree, misinformation is worse than lack of. We are working on these data issues that you have uncovered. Will update here as details become apparent.
Hi Ed
Looking forward to shaping some discussion on this - I like the Beta so far and I'm hoping that there's still an open window for suggestions.
Obviously there are measures of clicks and ratings for content but will this be opening up to filters similar to the Role filter that exists?
For example, filtering by content relevant to more specific criteria like development, infrastructure, etc - the primary businesses of partners, as an example.
Also I'm a big fan of tagging - perhaps Partner Wide tagging or assignment of content - placing some items on a dashboard for a colleague to see. Sort of like social bookmarking but between associated members.
For example, if I see a neat section on selling licenses I may want to put it into my colleagues 'inbox' - so I'd him to see a short alert when something's been suggested.
Quick links would also be ideal - or a drag and drop for content to remember it later.
For certain content you could have a queue or reading list - e.g. training = queue that can be synced or downloaded to Outlook, and reading list can be downloaded as PDFs or sent to OneNote.
Those are my thoughts for now!
Ali
Ali SymeTwitter | Blog | LinkedIn
Hi Ali,
Sorry for the delay in getting a response out! I've been out in US finding out about some of the tremendous developements that we will see in the next 12 months. Personally I can't wait to get me hands on Windows Phone 7!
As you say, in MY MPN Beta basic filters are available at the top of the page via the "Sort By" and "Selected Role" options. In addition to this signing in with your Windows Live Id allows us to read from your Partner profile details. This means that we can then target information based on the competencies that your business has. Going forward we want to look at how we can expand this, whilst ensuring that the app is as easy as possible to understand and use.
I love the idea of user generated tagging. This is definitely something that we want to move towards. An important aspect of the Microsoft Partner Network is that it is a community of individuals and organisations. You need to be able to contribute and participate in that community (or in effect it ceases to be a community!) Sharing content is connected to this. The ability to share and recommend content to colleagues is a next step and again something that we will persue. Currently the rating is intended to be used as the recommendations engine, although once an item is rated by a large number of people the influence of one individual's rating is lessened. Sharing is currently available on the portal via the sharing toolbar in the page header too.
I am going to get some of the rest of the team to comment here too, as I am sure they have some great points to raise.