Exchange Deployment Planning Services

Exchange Deployment Planning Services (EDPS) is a Software Assurance Packaged Services Benefit that offers value and deployment planning designed to help guide customers through the early deployment and business value planning stages of one of the latest Microsoft Unified Communications solutions, including Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010 or Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

Packaged Services engagements are conducted by approved Microsoft partners, who, through a structured engagement, review Microsoft Unified Communications product features, share best practices, analyze organizational requirements, and provide customized planning assistance for the deployment of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010 or Office Communications Server 2007 R2 within the customer's specific environment. Partners receive compensation for delivering these pre-defined services that have the potential to open the door to downstream deployment services, helping to grow the partner’s business.

 

Get Involved

Microsoft pays eligible partners to deliver EDPS engagements to entitled Software Assurance Benefit customers. As an EDPS service provider, partners will receive tools, training and best practices developed by Microsoft Consulting Services. Additionally, EDPS can open the door for new business and strengthen existing customer relationships. A customer’s software lifecycle is a continuous process often involving three phases: a purchase decision, deployment, and adoption of the technology by end users. The partner's efficiency and expertise in delivering the projected business value builds trust in the partner's role as a deployment and planning consultant and helps speed up the software lifecycle – bringing partners more business, more frequently.

 

EDPS Participation & Eligibility

Member organizations of the Microsoft Partner Network that have active Messaging Specialization or Voice Specialization (R2-ready) under the Unified Communications Competency are eligible to participate in EDPS. Learn more.

 

Overview of EDPS Partner Process

To successfully navigate through EDPS from learning about the program, to technical and sales readiness, through conducting engagements and getting paid, view the EDPS process guide in PDF format or view the interactive guide. This guide leads you through the entire EDPS process from A to Z. The process at a high level includes:

1. About EDPS: Learn about EDPS including the EDPS process overview, partner and customer eligibility, Software Assurance Benefits, and Packaged Services.
2. Registration: Learn how and where to register for EDPS with the appropriate prerequisites upfront.
3. Prepare and Learn: Prepare and learn all about EDPS using EDPS sales materials, resources and guides, technical resources and tools.
4. Find Customers: Find customers or have customers find you, sell the engagement, and understand customer benefits and vouchers.
5. Conduct Engagements: Find out how to conduct an EDPS engagement including setting the scope of work, guidance on customizing EDPS to meet customers’ needs, how to validate and reserve the voucher as well as some details on the delivery of an EDPS engagement.
6. Getting Paid: Wrap up an EDPS engagement for prompt payment including redeeming vouchers and uploading deliverables, invoicing for payment, and payment rates.

EDPS Engagement Types

EDPS offers 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 day engagements to help customers understand the value and learn best practices for the implementation of their Unified Communications solutions. To see an overview of the EDPS offering and the different types of engagements you can provide to customers along with a high-level view of the resources and guidance available to partners, visit http://www.partneredps.com/engagement_learning.asp. To view the actual engagement materials, visit: http://partneredps.com/engagement_materials.asp.

Payment Rates

The rates of payment are detailed in the Terms and Conditions document that partners sign during the EDPS registration – viewing and signing the Terms and Conditions is outlined in the EDPS registration instructions.

Learn more about EDPS payment rates.