International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners Introduces New Online Community for Software Solution Providers

BOSTON, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners (IAMCP) today introduced a new online community, SoftwareBizExchange.com, to help software solution providers collaborate on key strategies for achieving business results.

SoftwareBizExchange.com offers easy access to a wide range of readily available software business resources and expertise. An online community for collaboration, the site includes expert advice columnists specializing in channel development, marketing, and software business leadership.

The site features moderated discussion forums where software business professionals can post questions, share insights, and network to create mutually beneficial partnerships. According to Per Werngren, president of the IAMCP, the discussion forums will provide an excellent opportunity for partner-to-partner collaboration. "The essence of the IAMCP is to help build profitable connections among Microsoft partners around the world. This site will play a key role in the IAMCP delivering on its mission," said Werngren. Each discussion forum is moderated by a member of the IAMCP who has subject matter expertise and real world software business experience.

Dr. Petri Salonen (PhD, Economics) Founder and CEO of TELLUS International Inc., says, "As a SoftwareBizExchange forum moderator, I am able to leverage my own software development background and international business experience to help other software professionals gain a perspective on managing software development."

SoftwareBizExchange.com complements resources provided to partners through the Microsoft Partner Program. "The IAMCP is an outstanding advocate for partners that invest in Microsoft and I'm thrilled that yet another resource is now available to foster stronger ties within our partner community," said Allison Watson, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corporation. "The P2P networking portal is a terrific way for partners to connect with each other and enhance their own channel ecosystem to drive new customer opportunities, acquire more diverse skills, expand into new geographies and build innovative customer solutions."

SoftwareBizExchange.com includes 11 resource centers designed around the function of building and managing a successful software business. Visitors to the site will benefit from a comprehensive offering of links to relevant associations, timely business news, and upcoming industry seminars and events. For example, one resource center focuses on a variety of financing, pricing, and licensing strategies to help partners provide the right options for their customers. Additional resource centers offer best practices on everything from positioning the unique value of a business, hiring technical staff, how to take a business to new geographies, and, for start-ups, how to secure funding.

Darren Bibby, International Data Corporation (IDC) Senior Analyst, Global Software Sales Channel said, "SoftwareBizExchange.com is a way for the IAMCP to provide more value to software business decision makers. Broad availability of this site will provide a very specific benefit: a collaborative community that makes partner-to-partner initiatives work even better."

About the IAMCP

IAMCP is a professional association of Microsoft Certified Partners, Dynamics or Registered Partners that are organized in local or regional chapters worldwide. Formed in 1994, IAMCP provides members with information, education and events aimed at helping broaden their base of local business opportunities. The organization helps Microsoft partners grow their businesses, establish working alliances with Microsoft, provides a direct link to key Microsoft contacts, and offers a forum for discussing Microsoft technologies. To date, IAMCP has 4,000 members in 56 chapters spread throughout 23 different countries. IAMCP also has 39 chapters in the United States. For more information please visit http://www.iamcp.org/.

Contact: John F. Payes of IAMCP, +1-514-708-2271, or president@ca.iamcp.org.