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If you build and sell new PCs or servers—as few as one or as many as hundreds per year—you are a system builder, and Microsoft invites you to join its partner network. Microsoft offers operating systems and application software, acquired from Authorized Microsoft OEM Distributors, specifically for you to preinstall on the systems you build.
As a Registered Member of the Microsoft Partner Network, you can:
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Access relevant news, content, and services. These tools will help you expand your business.
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Attain the OEM Hardware Solutions competency. The competency is specifically tailored to help system builders get additional benefits and earn a higher level of recognition.
Download the Partner Quick Guide for System Builders .pdf 571 KB for easy reference. Share it with other system builders too.
The Microsoft OEM Partner Center (OPC) Web site and the Microsoft Partner Network Web portal have shared registration, which means OPC users can efficiently benefit from building connections through the Microsoft Partner Network. By enrolling in the Microsoft Partner Network, you can access resources that are reserved specifically for partners on both sites.
Beginning in November 2009, competencies and specializations will better align to customer business challenges. Find out what this means for your current competencies and specializations by learning more about the Microsoft Partner Network.
Top reasons system builders join the Microsoft Partner Network:
| Benefits* |
What you get |
| Eligibility to subscribe to the Microsoft Action Pack |
Microsoft Action Pack Subscription provides internal-use, full-version software and sales resources to help you meet your sales goals and grow your business.
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| Access to software releases, service packs, and OPKs |
Get system builder versions of software releases, service packs, updates, and OEM Preinstallation Kits.
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| Online technical training and preinstallation resources |
Learn to preinstall operating systems, servers, and applications efficiently with step-by-step guides. Visit the Partner Learning Center to learn how to obtain certification from the Windows Logo Program.
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| Access to hardware product information |
See the newest OEM system builder hardware products to ensure that the hardware components you're using are compatible with Windows operating systems.
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| Free technical support benefits |
Take advantage of free, 24/7 Business Critical Phone Support for customer "server down" situations. Note: Eligibility for Business Critical Phone Support is offered to Microsoft Action Pack subscribers and Certified and Gold Certified Partners.
Also, access system builder newsgroups for standard support and explore additional support options.
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| Licensing guidance and marketing materials |
Find comprehensive system builder licensing information, and access customer-ready campaign materials, including Microsoft software product graphics for system builders.
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Sign up to receive the OEM Partner Center newsletter directly in your inbox each month.
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Review Technical Bulletins from the Microsoft Knowledge Base selected especially for system builders.
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View live and on-demand system builder webcasts hosted by Microsoft experts.
Benefits may not be available in all regions, and are subject to change. Read about Microsoft Partner Network Resources and download the Microsoft Partner Program Guide for more details.
Enrolling in the OEM Hardware Solutions competency can help you gain recognition for your specialization and expertise in the following areas:
- Building PCs, servers, and devices.
- Preinstalling Microsoft software.
The competency will provide you with Partner Points to help and enable you to reach the Certified or Gold Certified Partner level in the Microsoft Partner Network.
The benefits of attaining the OEM Hardware Solutions competency include:
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More internal-use software licenses. As a core program resource, Certified and Gold Certified Partners receive software licenses within the Microsoft Partner Network Toolkit:
- There are differences in terms of the licenses provided in each toolkit, and the maximum number of licenses that you can receive varies among different toolkits.
- Additional Microsoft Partner Toolkits are available. They enable partner organizations to purchase resources for qualified locations.
For more information on specific software licenses that your membership level grants, see Software Licensing for Certified and Gold Certified Partners.
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Recognition, branding, and logo usage. Distinguish your company as a Microsoft Certified or Gold Certified Partner that has attained the OEM Hardware Solutions competency by displaying custom logos that clearly set you apart from the competition as a member of the competency:
- Design the logos using Microsoft Logo Builder and other marketing resources available from Microsoft.
- Market the quality of your products with the "Designed for Windows" logo with Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification.
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Partnering opportunities. Extend your market reach to the worldwide partner community:
- Create new partnerships, locate specific opportunities, and collaborate with others whose offerings complement your own.
- Search and post for opportunities to connect with other Microsoft partners worldwide when you use the Partner Channel Builder.
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Co-op marketing resources. When you join the competency, you earn the right to participate in the OEM Cooperative Marketing Fund (Co-op):
- The Co-op provides resources, in the form of reimbursements, to participating system builders and associate distributors to help differentiate and build market awareness for versions of Microsoft products with partner PCs and servers.
- Both
system builders and
associate distributors can participate.
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More technical support and training. Get the free Microsoft Partner 5-Pack Professional Support:
- For Gold Certified Partners, we offer 40 hours of proactive support and advisory hours for preinstallation issues from a Partner Technical Consultant—with a total value of up to US$8,000.
- Gain access to valuable technical training on new Microsoft technologies.
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Account management. Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners are allocated Microsoft Account Management resources, for a closer partnership with Microsoft.
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