Visibility, support and software for professional Web Developers and Designers - at no upfront cost : Microsoft WebSpark
Sunday February 14, 2010 , 2 min Read
Microsoft® WebsiteSpark™ is designed to ignite the success of professional Web developers and designers. The program enables you to get software, support and business opportunities from Microsoft at no upfront costs for 3 years or exit from the program.
Program Benefits
WebSiteSpark provides access to a technology offering for development and production hosting of websites. Once enrolled, you can download the following software from Microsoft:
* For design, development, testing and demonstration of new websites – for a total of up to three users per Web design and development company:
o Visual Studio Professional
o Expression Studio 3 (1 user) and Expression Web 3 (up to 2 users)
o Windows Web Server 2008 R2
o SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
* For production use – that is, to deploy and host new websites developed using Program software – using a total of up to four processors per Web design and development company, of the following (physical or virtual) dedicated servers:
o Windows Web Server 2008 R2
o SQL Server 2008 Web Edition
In addition to software, Microsoft WebsiteSpark offers Web development and design companies the opportunity to:
* Get Business Opportunities: Get opportunities to expand your customer base and drive new business through showcasing your capabilities and connecting with partners, by featuring your talents in Microsoft marketing and business networking vehicles.
* Get Support and Training - benefits include:
o 2 professional support incidents
o Free online training Managed newsgroups on MSDN (a community of over six million developers) and other Microsoft online properties
o Access to broad community support through connections with Network Partners, Hosting Partners and peers with complementary services and technologies
Program Features
1. Eligibility Requirements: An eligible Web design and development company must have the following characteristics at the time of joining:
* A professional service firm whose primary business is providing Web development and design services for its clients, with
* no more than 10 members (including owners and employees).
* In addition: To be eligible to continue to participate in the Program, the company must deploy a new public and Internet-accessible website developed using Program software within 6 months from Program enrollment, and report it and other new websites through the WebsiteSpark Portal.
2. Term: Eligible Web development and design companies can participate in WebsiteSpark for up to 3 years. On the first and second anniversary of initial enrollment, they must update their enrollment (e.g., confirm they haven't gone public and their ownership hasn't changed).