Microsoft site to support UK VARs

Microsoft is to add a UK-specific web site to its Certified Professional (MCP) partner training programme to give it a more regional focus.

MCP currently operates a single global web site to pass information onto all its training resellers, but the software giant plans to develop a standalone UK site to provide more regional-specific information to its resellers.

The site is expected to be rolled out within the next few weeks. Ram Dhaliwal, Microsoft’s UK training and certification manager, said the design of a UK web site for MCP will be in addition to its existing global web site.

“The UK local pages web site will bring localised networking opportunities to our MCP partners. It’s almost like a bulletin board, which partners can log into everyday for information, help and resources,” he said.

Although the site will cover only the UK to start with, Dhaliwal did not rule out the possibility of developing a region-by-region site to bring partners even more localised information.

However, Greg Carlow, managing director of Repton, was reserved about the possible benefits. “It’s hard to get through to the large vendors for help and assistance. Microsoft’s front-end is very fast but it’s still difficult to get responses to the questions that aren’t solved by the web site,” he said.