Microsoft Action Pack Subscription changes

If you are one the many resellers with a Microsoft Action Pack subscription you have probably received a phone call or email explaining the upcoming requirements for receiving the quarterly Action Pack.

For those of you not familiar with the Action Pack Subscription, this is Microsoft's explanation:

The Microsoft Action Pack is available exclusively through the Microsoft Partner Program. It can be the start of an ongoing relationship with Microsoft that becomes even more valuable over time.
The Action Pack subscription includes a Welcome Kit and four quarterly updates. You get new Microsoft software for your business use, access to special partner training materials, and sales and marketing tools to grow your business.

To put it simply, for a mere $300 you will get sales and marketing material but more importantly, the latest operating systems for both server and desktop, Office applications and much more. This is all for demo and internal purposes and not for resale but it can save you thousands of dollars every year for your company. Since there were no requirements for receiving all this, Microsoft has been sending out these Action Packs to anyone willing to pay $300.

As of November 30th this will change. The official reason is that Microsoft resellers increasingly found action packs with customers, preventing them from selling real licenses.

Whatever the reason, a new online-training and assessment requirement will go into effect November 30, 2007. New and renewing subscribers will be required to take any Microsoft E-Learning course and then pass its associated assessment with a minimum score of 70 percent. To continue receiving your Microsoft Action Pack Subscription, you will be required to pass an assessment every two years. You can take these free classes here.

Classes range from sales to technical and cover most of Microsoft's products. By the end of the year there should be more than 1,000 classes available. And you don't have to take them all.
I was assured on the phone by Microsoft that anyone with more than average computer knowledge should be able to reach the required 70%.

I'd love to hear from you how this goes so we can pass that on to other resellers. In case you need help, you can always call the Microsoft Partner desk at (800) 993 7764.