Microsoft Enhances Office SharePoint Server 2007

Microsoft has announced a new initiative designed to enhance Office SharePoint Server 2007. Via investments in the partner channel, the Redmond company is looking to maximize the value of the SharePoint platform for its customers. The new offering is available exclusively to Volume Licensing Software Assurance customers who will be able to get SharePoint Deployment Planning Services for their Office SharePoint Server 2007 product. SDPS is set up as a solution to streamline the planning of SharePoint deployments.

"Customers told us they got the most out of SharePoint when they brought in a SharePoint Certified Consultant in the early stages to help with deployment planning," stated Tom Rizzo, director of SharePoint at Microsoft. May 19 is the first day the Redmond giant started serving SDPS to SharePoint customers that meet the eligibility criteria of the Volume Licensing Software Assurance enrollment.

"SDPS is a great matchup between our customers and our partners, because the customers win twice: They get deployment planning to help ensure the best possible results on the SharePoint platform, but also an added value for their investment in Software Assurance," Rizzo stated. Microsoft revealed that the new offering is synchronized with the finalization of a successful SDPS pilot program, and that it was necessary in order to provide additional support to SharePoint.

"The SDPS engagement put us ahead of the game," added Dorothy A. Chuday, senior policy analyst at the Internal Revenue Service. "We are learning how to use the technology and actually building a solution using the program. We now have a demo to show to the rest of our business units, making it easier for others to see the value."

Introduced as an update to Microsoft Software Assurance, the SharePoint Deployment Planning Services brings to the table a comprehensive set of tools from SharePoint Deployment Plan Templates, to Architecture Design Guidance Documents, and even SharePoint server farm deployment resources. But, at the same time, SDPS represents a benefit not only for customers, but also for partners. The Redmond company explained that partners with Information Worker Portals and Collaboration, Enterprise Content Management, or Search Microsoft Competencies can sign up to offer their services via the SDPS. Microsoft will, of course, provide reimbursements for SharePoint deployment planning support that partners will deliver to customers.