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Memo From Microsoft to Partners: Keep Windows 7 Momentum Going

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http://www.thevarguy.com – As Windows 8 buzz grows louder, Microsoft is working overtime to ensure OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and partners continue to focus on Windows 7 sales. Indeed, Peter Han (pictured), GM of Microsoft’s U.S. OEM group, spent an hour with The VAR Guy in Manhattan this week. The discussion focused around the ongoing Windows 7 upgrade opportunity, and first-time server opportunities. Han is a nine-year Microsoft veteran who previously focused on server licensing strategies; PC industry forecasting; and various partner-centric roles. His current role blankets 14 multinational partner (IT news)

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Submitted by niaobid on 03/15/2012 – Made popular on 03/15/2012

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Did you miss Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2012? Not sure how Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is positioning Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and Office 365 cloud services for channel partners? Don’t worry. The VAR Guy’s got you covered.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is set to address thousands of technology partners July 9. His keynote, scheduled for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC12) in Toronto, will need to communicate Microsoft’s cloud momentum while assuring partners that the company’s Windows 8 strategy across desktops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones will unlock new profit opportunities.

Microsoft is expected to unveil Office 15 (perhaps for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Apple iPad) as soon as Monday, July 16. The software company hopes Office 15 and peer product launches like Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 will lift sales, profits and partner wins to new heights.

When Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced Q2 2013 earnings today, most eyes were on Windows 8 sales. Wall Street was slightly disappointed with the company’s overall quarterly revenues. But instead of getting caught up in investor chatter, channel partners should focus — really fast — on these five areas. Here’s the list… 1.

Windows Server 2012, with the updated Hyper-V hypervisor, is starting to earn the trust of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) channel partners and their customers. A key example: Quality Technology Solutions, a partner in New Jersey, has started to deploy the new server operating system in a law firm.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) served up some interesting Windows 8, Windows Azure and Windows Intune chatter this week during TechEd North America in Orlando, Fla. But the company will likely serve up bigger news at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2012 (July 8-12, Toronto).

Microsoft’s Windows 8 is taking some heat in the world of online games. Both Valve (builder of the Steam gaming platform) and Blizzard (World of War Craft) appear to be criticizing the Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows Store strategy, and Valve is hedging its Windows bets with a Linux strategy. Why should business channel partners care?

Microsoft will ship Windows 8 in October 2012, the company has acquired Perceptive Pixel (a multi-touch company), and Microsoft will now allow partners to manage Office 365 customer billing. That news and more surfaced this morning at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2012 (WPC12).

Microsoft is already screwing it up. Microsoft can’t win. Windows 8 is sunk. Seriously: to read the headlines this last week you’d think Microsoft wasn’t still one of the premier tech manufacturers in the world.