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Microsoft launches hosting partner program

On Monday, Microsoft announced the Microsoft Hosting Program, a free offering that provides hosting companies with technical tools and resources to help them deploy and manage Microsoft products. According to Microsoft, hosting service providers can streamline their operations for quicker app and service deployment and better manage their systems.

The Microsoft Hosting Program gives hosting providers free access to the Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting and the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration. Members also receive a monthly newsletter that includes tech info, product updates, case studies and marketing resources. Also, participating organizations become eligible for the Services Provider License Agreement, a licensing program that enables service providers to license Microsoft products on a monthly basis to offer services and hosted apps to customers.

Microsoft offers two solutions for hosting service providers: Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting and Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration. Both use Microsoft Windows Server System integrated server software and provide tools and scripts to deploy hosted offerings. The solutions enable service providers to deliver a complete set of services to enterprises, small and midsize businesses, and consumers, including hosted e-mail and hosted productivity applications.