Today at Microsoft® Worldwide Partner Conference 2004, Rick Devenuti, corporate vice president of Microsoft Services and IT at Microsoft Corp., announced the launch of Microsoft Services Partner Advantage, the newest global service offering for industry partners. Designed to meet the unique service needs of the Microsoft partner community, the Microsoft Services Partner Advantage offering provides scalable and customized support plans including direct access to Microsoft tools and internal resources that enable partners to efficiently develop on, deploy and support Microsoft products and technologies.

To provide Microsoft partners with more predictable and consistent support, the Microsoft Services Partner Advantage offering includes a suite of support, consulting and development services designed to meet the technological and budgetary needs of partners currently registered with the Microsoft Partner Program, ultimately supporting them in driving more value for their customers. Microsoft Services Partner Advantage will be offered in phased global availability and in three cost-effective plans for registered partners: