The Microsoft Partner Ecosystem, also known as the Microsoft Partner Network or MPN is Microsoft Inc.’s partner network. It was formerly known as the Microsoft Partner Program or MSPP. It is designed to make resources available to a wide variety of technology companies so they can build a business around Microsoft technologies. ile:

The Microsoft Partner Ecosystem consists of the 640,000 partners, vendors and service provider

Service provider

A service provider is an entity that provides services to other entities. Usually, this refers to a business that provides subscription or web service to other businesses or individuals. Examples of these services include Internet access, Mobile phone operators, and web application hosting...

s that build or sell solutions based on Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...

 products. These partners include Systems integrators, Original equipment manufacturer

Original Equipment Manufacturer

An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...

s, Independent software vendor

Independent software vendor

Independent software vendor is a business term for companies specializing in making or selling software, designed for mass marketing or for niche markets...

s, Value-added reseller

Value-added reseller

A value-added reseller is a company that adds features or services to an existing product, then resells it as an integrated product or complete "turn-key" solution...

s, L.A.R.s, Telecommunications companys, Internet hosting service

Internet hosting service

An Internet hosting service is a service that runs Internet servers, allowing organizations and individuals to serve content to the Internet. There are various levels of service and various kinds of services offered....

s, Marketing agencys, and Reseller

Reseller

A reseller is a company or individual that purchases goods or services with the intention of reselling them rather than consuming or using them. This is usually done for profit...

s.

As of 2009, this ecosystem

Business ecosystem

Starting in the early 1990s James F. Moore originated the strategic planning concept of a business ecosystem, now widely adopted in the high tech community...

generates $8.70 in revenue for partner companies for every $1 that Microsoft makes.

History

• Microsoft Certified Solution Provider program – Launched in 1992
• Microsoft Certified Partner program – Launched in 2000
• In 2001, Microsoft decides to invest $500 Million in partner-related activities.
• In 2003, Microsoft invested heavily in the program. Microsoft signed up 5,000 new ISVs to the Microsoft's ISV Empower Program. Microsoft upped its number of technical specialists on staff to assist partners, from 700 to 2,400 in one year. Microsoft revamped its employee compensation incentive plans, tying 60 percent of bonuses in most cases to partner and customer satisfaction.