In-Depth Features


Dealing with Microsoft Haters

Microsoft may be the world's best-known brand, but it's not necessarily the best-loved. Here are ways to overcome deal-busting objections.

Reaching for the Stars

With its new job-applicant tracking solution, Bond International Software is making its first channel play.

Virtual Computing Gets Real

Virtual PC is a flexible, full-featured virtualization environment.

Making the Grade

In 2003, Microsoft announced a sweeping, risky overhaul of its partner program. Three years later, many partners give the changes passing marks.

The Importance of Being Microsoft

Microsoft isn't just the world's most powerful software company. It's also the world's biggest brand. Here's why -- and what that means to partners.

Best Buy's Small Business Offensive

In a move that's making some Microsoft partners jittery, the retail giant plans to double the number of stores targeting SMBs this year.

Virtualization Saves Real Dollars

Virtual Server 2005 R2 has a range of applications that can help your customers improve efficiency and cut costs.

Going for the Gold

Partners say that making the jump from Certified to Gold Certified is worth the effort -- but not necessarily for the reasons that Microsoft emphasizes.

Getting Serious about ERP

Microsoft has finally put together a strategy for its Dynamics business applications and is pumping major resources into the product line. Partners need to be ready for what's coming.

Market Shift

On the strength of its scanning tool, Intellagent is making the move from service provider to product vendor.

One Hat or Many?

Can your IT services company be a generalist and a specialist?

Taking the Mystery out of Software Development

Some partners are restructuring their businesses around Visual Studio 2005 Team System. Should you do the same?

Small Businesses, Big Spenders

Upselling tightfisted SMBs is easier than you might think -- if you know the right ways to go about it.

Attitude Is Intrinsic

Intrinsic Technologies is "quicker, faster, better" than the rest -- just ask CEO Jason Liu.

Buying Your Way to Growth

How mergers and acquisitions can put your company on the fast track.

Cultivating Your Business

From organic growth to M&As to staying small -- our special report covers all the options.

You Can Grow Your Own Way

Companies have to find their own paths to expansion, but lots of flexibility and a few best practices can make the road a lot less rocky.

Never Let Them Go

Finding superstar employees is just the first step. Smart partner companies do everything in their power to keep them as well.

They Might Not Be Giants

Staying small is an unconventional business strategy -- but for some Microsoft partners, it's exactly the right choice.

BizTalk Server Talks Business

BizTalk Server can help your customers get layers of disparate systems talking to each other.