Small Business Specialist Requirements
I have had a few questions lately asking me about the requirements to become a Small Business Specialist. To qualify as a Small Business Specialist, you must have proven expertise in marketing, selling, planning and building solutions for small businesses. If you are an active member of the Microsoft Partner Network who meets the requirements, you are eligible to enrol online in the Small Business Specialist Community.
Step 1: Be a Microsoft Partner Network Community Member
Step 2: You must subscribe to Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider or Microsoft Action Pack Development and Design to become a Small Business Specialist. You are exempt from this requirement if you have attained a silver or gold competency.
Step 3: You must employ or contract with one person who has successfully completed the Small Business Sales and Marketing Skills Assessment for the Small Business Specialist Community. (Note: Turn off your pop-up blocker to take the assessment.)
Use this scenario-based skills assessment to test your knowledge in selling Microsoft solutions within the small-business market. You will be tested on:
How well you understand the dynamics and dependencies of the small-business market.
The value to small businesses of several software solutions, including the Windows 7 operating system, Microsoft Office 2010 suites, 2007 Microsoft Office system and Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Windows SBS) server software.
Microsoft software-licensing programmes for the small-business market.
Learn what tools and training are available to help you to complete the sales and marketing assessment with the SBSC Learning Path.
Step 4: Small Business Specialist Community Exam Requirements, As a Small Business Specialist, you must employ or contract with one person at each location who has passed one of following exams. Learn about important exam details, including recommended training, upcoming test dates, test sites and the availability of the exams in languages other than English, by visiting the Partner Learning Centre or by using the SBSC Learning Path as guidance. You can also access classroom, online and self-study training for exams on the Small and Midmarket Business Resource Centre.
Exam 70-169: TS: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, Configuring
Exam 70-515: TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4
Exam 70-523: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Web Developer Skills to MCPD .NET Framework 4.0 Web Developer
Exam 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008, Network Infrastructure, Configuring
Exam 70-648: TS: Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to, Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialisations
Exam 70-649: TS: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
Exam 70-653: TS: Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuring
Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
Exam 70-683: TS: Windows 7, Preinstalling for OEMs
To view your status for the MCP exam requirement:
Go to the Partner Membership Centre.
Select the Orders & Benefits menu.
Select Small Business Specialist Community Summary. This screen displays your status on each requirement. If the MCP requirement has been met it will show who has earned the MCP credential and whether it is linked to your organisation's profile. The MCP must be linked to your organisation before the exam requirement is considered to be met.
If you are an active member in the Small Business Specialist Community, you will not automatically qualify for a Microsoft Partner Network competency. If you would like to attain the higher status and additional benefits that a silver or gold competency offers, you must meet the requirements for that particular competency.
Because the Small Business Specialist Community will continue as a community within the Microsoft Partner Network, your Small Business Specialist status will automatically be carried forward as long you continue to meet the requirements and your credentials are up to date.