A Big Day for OnForce Providers
August 20th, 2007 by laurenWhen you are responsible for developing programs and product enhancements for 10,000 people, you hope that one day you’ll be able to just knock it out of the park for those people. I think we’ve done some great things for providers over the past year – PowerPro has created a way for many providers to demonstrate their consistently strong performance. And PowerMatch has forever changed the way that you showcase your skills and interests to the buyer community – and (we hope) dramatically improved the kinds of work orders you are getting.
But what about things that go beyond the OnForce platform? We’ve helped you get access to Dell certifications, which has been an incredibly successful initiative. And, well… What else? Truth be told, we’ve been so focused on making dramatic product and policy changes that we haven’t done much that helps you with your careers as a whole.
Until today.
I am so excited (cartwheel excited) to let everyone know about our phenomenal “collaboration with Microsoft and HP”:1. When we started this business a few years ago, we always hoped we would be able to announce something like this.
With the launch of Microsoft Vista, the impending Longhorn introduction, and buyers’ increasing focus on their small business customers, we wanted to be able to help providers get smart on those technologies fast. And at a price that they could get nowhere else.
The team at Microsoft Learning has been amazing. Not only were they thrilled to be able to offer learning & certification to providers, but they also wanted to go beyond the basics. They engaged HP, one of their partners, to deliver the training. This way we could have completely customized OnForce packages, targeted directly to our providers. Beyond that, they wanted to give our providers access to information early – so that the OnForce community was ahead of the curve on Microsoft technologies and certifications.
Providers, check your Online Office for the schedule of the introductory webinar – where folks from Microsoft, HP, and yours truly will introduce the program.
Many thanks to the teams at Microsoft Learning and HP Education Services. This is a big day in the history of OnForce and we are looking forward to a long relationship with Microsoft and HP.
[1]http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/aug07/08-20OnForce.mspx
August 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
WooHoo! More Input! I’m always down for more information and this is the perfect way to get it… THANKS LAUREN! You rock *SO* much!!!
OnForce.com Provider ID: 26695
OnForce Tech ID: 54095
August 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
This is interesting… We will need to wait a week to see how it will affect us; but some of us are very interested, too…
Saying “Thanks!” now might be premature; but we appreciate your trying to make us look more attractive to clients.
Many of us need it more than we’re willing to admit…
August 20th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Where do we go to get this? I am a little confussed.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
You can sign up for the introductory webinars (there is one each day of the week of August 27th) at http://www.golms.com/onforce/index.html
To purchase one of the training packages you can go to http://www.hp.com/learn/onforce
August 20th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
This is nice but could be a little more useful. I would rather see certs that can actually mean something though. It would have been better to have offered the MCSA/MCSE exams. Those are much mkore marketable than the MCTS exams. Yes Vista is the new great thing but there are still tons of XP and server 2003 systems that require work. For now, I am holding off on the Vista certs till they are included in the MCSE tree.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I tried to log into the first time user and enter the info. What do we use for the signup password at the top of the page?
August 21st, 2007 at 11:03 am
I agree with Jay, Not everyone is jumping onto the vista band wagon.
Every store and business I have been in is still on XP and dont expect to move to vista any time soon.
Think about what would work best for all with the ability to move forward as business does.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:46 pm
This is another ONFORCE phenomenal breakthrough! Where can you get a MCTS cert for half the price? It’s great that ONFORCE has been able to cut a deal with Microsoft & HP; this will allow individuals who are new to the ONFORCE marketplace/platform to build their business, and increase profits! KUDOS to all involved at ONFORCE!
August 21st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
HEY LAUREN,
I HAVE BEEN TO THIS SITE
http://www.golms.com/onforce/index.html
BUT THEY ARE ASKING FOR A SPECIAL “SIGN-UP” PASSSWORD.
WHAT IS THE “SIGN-UP” PASSWORD?
Thanks in advance,
Bill
OnForce Tech 16976
August 21st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I agree with some and disagree with others any knowledge is a good thing, however I tend to agree with some of the other tech when they say it just is not out there like that yet (Vista) and until it is part of the MCSE tree it is not getting all it should in other words it is still in the production stage and Microsoft needs technical feed back so if that is what this is all about how about getting some MCSE certs our way KUDOS to all for this opportunity I am already signed up.
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:47 am
What is the “SIGNUP PASSWORD”.
Cannot get past the firt time user signup page! States “wrong password”
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
For detailed signup instructions you can go to the provider-only forums:
http://forums.onforce.com/viewtopic.php?p=171665#171665
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
Vista and Small Business Specialist are just the beginning - there will be Longhorn certifications and education soon. If there are specific exams that you guys would like to see as part of the program, let me know. I will work with the teams at HP and Microsoft to see what we can do.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Sorry but maybe I’m just not getting it. This is not a 50% off of the test or the materials, it’s 50% off of the actual TRAINING correct?
If so, then it sounds like a program to make money to me as noone uses training. They train themselves and pass the tests. That’s the way at least I understand 99% of the people do unless their company pays for them to do it otherwise in a boot camp etc???
Please enlighten me..
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Well, while it is true that not many old system users are rushing out to buy and install Vista, EU’s *ARE* buying new systems with Vista pre-installed. We as Techs need to be better prepared to deal with the increasing demand for help with these newer systems.
I will admit texas was right, I do need the training. I have not messed with Vista for the simple fact of it is a Microsoft product and all of the roll outs are buggy. I do not touch the next version of ANY WinOS till the first Service Pack. With this training, I can work around the known bugs and might even find some. *shrug* Who knows.
OnForce.com Provider ID: 26695
OnForce.com Tech ID: 54095
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 am
I would like to see a way to pay for the training by way of my account. Meaning I could just transfer the funds from my Onforce account to the HP’s website. I think others would enjoy this feature. I may be wrong but it would save time. More people would be willing to buy the training courses. I know I would.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Scott, there are certainly some providers who feel equipped to complete the certification exams without any in-depth training. But there are many who could benefit from the incredible depth of training available through these packages. They are self-paced - providers who want lots of information/reinforcement can complete every part of it. Those who are more experienced can take a shorter path.
It’s 50%+ off the package - the training, the assessment, and the certification in combination.
You can certainly choose not to complete the training. You can choose not to get the certifications. We want to make this available to the providers in the community who want to do the training, who want to access it all in one place, and want to get certified.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Kent -
It’s a great idea… one we’re not able to execute at this point in time, but I think it’s got some great potential down the road.
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
So you can JUST pickup the testing then? As in 50% off of the test and the materials but not purchase the training?
I’m cornfused. Thanks
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Yes, you can just get the certification - but there is no discount to the certification exam alone. Microsoft feels strongly that the training is an important component to being truly prepared to fully service Vista equipment.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Well just a few things first of all what is the sing up password.Second am doing a server migration for Borders books combining there pos server and bdc into a blade server they are just now moving from nt 4.0 to server 2003 there new hp desktops come preloaded with vista bussiness , but they have us wipe the drives and load xp pro so at least for now will stick to server 2003 training that is if i can get the sign up password.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Wow, I don’t know about you but I think vista is absolutely the worst OS to come out since ME. I bought an ACER laptop with it, formatted drive and installed 64 bit xp pro. Thanks to acer including a 64bit cpu but not a 64 bit OS. My first advice to any customers of mine is to not order with vista. Its awful. Xp Pro and home are fully supported until 2015. Thats the guarantee out Microsoft. I think I will migrate around 2014.5.
August 24th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Last year 64 Bit XP was plagued with the same problems as Vista , not much support for hardware and software , It seems to me easier to find Vista compatible stuff nowadays than XP64, Vista is about 100 times more supported now by hardware manufacturers and software companies now than it was when I was beta testing it last year,and before that I think I was using a mix between XP64 bit drivers and 2003 drivers(really old betas) . I don’t know if its a good thing that every time MS comes out with an OS everyone has to make their stuff work with it but not vice versa. Nevertheless the latest updates, upgrades, and drivers will get Vista running for most people , but I am sure there is alot of hardware that will never work with Vista, and would make sense to upgrade anyway to something faster. Personally I use Ubuntu because I like Beryl, I can entertain myself for hours with that spinning cube. And I dont think I have had to find a driver yet for it. , they are already built in the kernel.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Unable to open the webpage in the webinar. They mention there is tech support available but the only way mentioned is through the webpage. That was no help since that was the issue. Finally got to the operator and placed on hold for tech support then disconnected. (No audio at this time.) Called back in and got to operator again.Transfered back into webinar audio and told that I would be transproted to tech support. Never happened.
The webinar started over 10 minutes late and had no way to get hold of someone then. Finally got someone to give me tech supports number and found out that their technology is not fully supported under Vista. Got the issue resolved and back into the audio portion of the conference call to hear Lauren saying Thank you for comming that the call is over. Wasted an hour and got nothing.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
In most of the training situations, you get your money back if you fail. If this doesn’t offer that then it is just a money making ploy by M$. Not trying to burst bubbles here but I’m a bit distrustful.
August 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
This is great, but I have one more suggestion. When I was a student at Texas A&M University. When Microsoft partnered with our school for training they offered DEEP discounts on their software programs as well so that us students could purchase the software and test it out and play with it on our system and get experience. IT WAS great especially when it came to the server software because I usually don’t run it in my computer office (that has 5 computers), but when I needed to research something on how to install server software or had problems with the software I needed to know the infomation and since they provided it at a DEEP discount I was able to purchase the software and do it so I would know what to expect in our Testing Labs at Texas A&M. Which helped me out later when I worked at different corporations because I already had the experience.
August 27th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Samuel, Check out action pack. If you are an OF provider, then you most likely can become a registered partner.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Gee, now all we have to do is find the TIME. I don’t know about anyone else, but I generally get an average of 5 to 10 work orders a day. No, I can’t accept them all, but I do a lot of them and I do them well. Hey, here’s a thought! Can you make a day with 28 hours in it? Haha. Keep up the good work guys!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I like the new course offerings from Microsoft. The course structure is more comprehensive and specific to our market. I am very impressed with the Small Business Certification which allows us to demonstrate our skills to the small business market. My company focuses on the small but growing companies that can’t afford a full-time IT professional but can’t afford to go without one. I’m impressed!!
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:09 am
Great idea, but those of us without IE/WinXP or better cannot access the webinar (Linux/FF, etc). Will this be addressed in the future?
September 8th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I really do like the ability to take the free exams from HP. I do have a concern…I have number to contact Techzone for a issue I have had for over two weeks with no response.
I am trying to take the Servicing HP Media Center PCs and DECs quiz and when I get to the first quiz, I have five questions; I answer all five, however, no matter how many times I have taken the test; question 5 is incorrect for all four answers. I keep getting informed from HP e-learning that this is not their issue…who’s issue is it then???
I found out that HP e-learning didn’t know about Techzone until I called them…
In addition, I am a Microsoft Small Business Specialist..I send in my paperwork to verification and they kept telling me it was not enough…well I sent them a transcript from Microsoft…emailed them my passed exam, along with a printout of the passed Small Business Mareting Sales Assessment. This went on for two weeks…they removed my submitted certification and received an email stating the way they verify is being revamped. So, I feel I am losing business opportunities because verification doesn’t have the facts about the SBS certification, and that it will take a few weeks to get if fixed.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
OK, DON’T MEAN TO YELL, BUT… At least 4 people have asked for a password and there is no response. I also went to the link and it doesn’t help. When you sign the “first time user” form it asks you for a password.. It would be helpful if someone from onforce would respond and let us know what that password is, otherwise it’s useless.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
The sign up password was in the ONFORCE email sent on August 2Sign up password is: onforce1hp 3rd
September 30th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Scottf, did you ever bet your Small Business Specialist certification ironed out? We’ve been having the exact same problem….Going at it for about a month now to get the certification recognized.
Brett