Microsoft Platform Test for Hosted Solutions at VeriTest

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Microsoft Partner Points: 10 per component

Program Updates

• Platform Test Voucher Offer please contact msplatformtest@veritest.com for Platform test voucher promotions for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008.

On a first-come, first-served basis, Microsoft is granting a limited number of Platform Test Vouchers* (retail value US$500-650, covering exactly one foundation component and one elective component) to ISVs with commercial solutions registered with a valid Voucher Code (which can be obtained) at Lionbridge, on or before September 30, 2009, for any of the following possible combinations of foundation and elective test components:

• Windows Server 2008 (foundation component) with SQL Server 2008 (elective component)
• Windows Server 2008 (foundation component) with any elective component
• SQL Server 2008 (elective component) with any foundation component

*Offer good only to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) that have registered a commercial software application in the Platform Test program, and successfully passed the test for Windows Server 2008 and/or SQL Server 2008.  Limit one Voucher per ISV.  This offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer.  This offer expires on September 30, 2009 while supplies last, and is not redeemable for cash.  Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. If the solution is registered for more than two components of the Platform Test, the ISV is responsible for paying the retail price of the additional test components.

• Please click here to register if you are ready to take the test https://cert.veritest.com/register. We have detailed instructions on the online registration process available for download.
• Effective January 1, 2009 the Platform Test for ISVs supports Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008.
• Platform Test no longer supports Windows Server 2003 or SQL Server 2005.
• On Dec 31, 2009, the Windows Server 2008 operating system component of the Platform Test for ISVs will be retired, and replaced with Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system component of the Platform Test for ISVs.
• The Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 components of the Platform Test are now available for self test. Price for a single log audit is $250 and simultaneous submission of Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 is $350.
• Applications that pass the Windows Server 2008 foundation component of the Platform Test may become eligible for the "Works with Windows Server 2008" logo and a listing in the Windows Server Catalog see Works with Windows Server 2008 (Important – please read the eligibility requirements for Hosted Apps).
• Applications that pass the Platform Test earn a number of benefits including free software and marketing support. For more information, visit the Microsoft Partner Program ISV Competency Benefits and Requirements page.

About the Platform Test

The Platform Test for Hosted Solutions is intended for software solutions deployed on hosted Windows Server systems and leverage Microsoft Office, SQL Server 2008, the .NET Framework, and/or XML web services and are made available as a service to end-customers. These solutions are accessed remotely by end-customers (typically via the Internet) instead of being installed and run on end-customer systems. This variation of the Platform Test does not include any installation and configuration requirements that affect end-users of the software under test.

Note: Microsoft Partners with software solutions that are intended to be installed on customer systems should consider the Platform Test for ISV Solutions.

The Platform Test for Hosted Solutions consists of a foundation test component (Windows Server, which lists the requirements for server applications that run on Windows Server 2008), and four elective test components. 

The elective test components are:

• Microsoft Office
• SQL Server 2008
• Web Services plus .NET Framework
• Managed Code

In order for a software application to pass the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions, it needs to pass the foundation test component, plus at least one elective test component. For example, you could select the Windows Server 2008 foundation test component and the SQL 2008 elective test component.

ISV/Software Solution Competency

The Platform Test for Hosted Solutions is one of the product test options to help ISVs meet the Microsoft Partner certification requirements, and to achieve an ISV/Software Solution Competency in the Microsoft Partner Program. For more information, visit the Microsoft Partner Program ISV Competency Benefits and Requirements page. In addition, there are several marketing benefits available to applications that pass Windows Server 2008 and/or SQL Server 2008 component tests, such as use of the "Works with Windows Server 2008" logo, solution briefs, and a listing in the Windows Server Catalog.

Note: Microsoft Partners must also comply with Microsoft’s Customer Reference Requirements to achieve ISV/Software Solution Competency.

Microsoft Partner Points

The Platform Test for Hosted Solutions helps Microsoft Partners earn Microsoft Partner Points, which help them increase their status in the Microsoft Partner Program. Microsoft Partners earn Partner Points from the test itself, and by achieving the ISV/Software Solution Competency. The individual test components of the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions are worth 10 Partner Points each, but only if the application passes testing for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions overall (i.e. passes the fundamental test component plus one other test component).

For example, an application that passes the Windows Server, Managed Code, and MS Office test components, would earn 30 Partner Points, while an application that only passes the Windows Server test component would not earn any Partner Points.

Note: Microsoft partners can earn Microsoft Partner Points for one version of one application that has passed qualified tests (including the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions). Microsoft Partners can increase the number of partner points earned by having that one version of one application pass additional tests (or additional test components of the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions). However, Microsoft Partners do not accrue points by having multiple applications or multiple versions of one application pass testing. If a Microsoft Partner submits multiple applications or multiple versions of one application for testing, Microsoft will only award points for the one version of the one application that has the most points associated with it.

Note: Microsoft partners cannot earn Microsoft Partner Points by having a product pass testing for both the Platform Test for ISV Solutions and the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions. Microsoft will only award points for one of the two types of Platform Tests.

Note: Products can be tested for the Microsoft Office test component using Microsoft Office 2003 Editions or Microsoft Office 2007 Editions. You only earn points for passing testing with Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007. You do not earn extra points for having your product pass testing with both Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Office 2007.

Applications Eligible for the Platform Test

Only released versions of commercially available software are eligible to be tested for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions.

Beta versions of applications, and applications intended internal use, are not eligible to be tested for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions.

Process

Microsoft Partners can make their software available to VeriTest for testing using one of the following methods:

1. Products submitted for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions can be installed on test bed systems in VeriTest’s labs. Software will be installed by VeriTest staff using instructions  provided in English by the Microsoft Partner. These instructions need to provide sufficient detail for someone with typical System Administrator and/or Database Administrator (on SQL Server) skills. For products that connect to a SQL Server database, it is acceptable (often preferable) to provide a back-up of the database with some sample data.
2. Products can be delivered to VeriTest pre-configured using Microsoft's Virtual Hard-drive format (VHD) for Hyper-V virtualization technologies (Learn about Hyper-V: www.microsoft.com/hyper-v) and download VHDs with evaluation versions of Windows Server 2008 to install and pre-configure your application: www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/eval. Please observe any licensing restrictions of any third party software included in the virtual server image shipped to VeriTest. Oftentimes, time-limited trial versions of software products have fewer licensing restrictions.
3. Microsoft partners can make their software available to VeriTest during an interactive session with Microsoft Live Meeting. Microsoft partners will pre-configure their software on their own systems, and will give VeriTest control of these systems during the Live Meeting session.

Note: Because of the extra effort to coordinate these interactive sessions, the test fee for this option is higher than the other two.

Pricing

The Platform Test consists of at least one Foundation Test Component and at least one Elective Test Component. Prices for each component tested in a VeriTest lab are as follows.

Foundation Platform Test Components:

• Windows Server 2008: $250*
• Windows XP: $400 

Elective Test Components:

• SQL Server 2008: $250*
• Office 2007: $400
• Office 2003: $400
• Web Services plus .NET Framework: $400
• Managed Code: $400

*When taken together, the Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 components are $350 total when self-tested and submitted to VeriTest for log validation.

The following additional charges may apply:

Application Interface Language - The base test fee covers testing of applications with an English user interface. Applications with a user interface in a different language will be charged $100 per test component.

Remote Testing - There is an additional charge of $200 (above and beyond the elective cost) for each component tested by interactive session.

Installation Time - The base test fee includes up to two hours installation time, including back-end elements. There is a $110 hourly fee for additional time to install and configure products for testing.  You may opt to ship pre-configured hardware for backend elements or provide technical assistance to VeriTest in order to reduce installation time.

Retests on new builds if the test fails are charged at 65% of the original test fee.

Credit card transactions - Add 3.5% to the total fee. Only Credit Cards are allowed (Purchasing Cards are not accepted).

Scheduling

This test takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Once we receive the required deliverables, your product will be queued for testing. We will make every effort to match the preferred date you indicated during the registration process, but ultimately, tests are scheduled in the order in which the deliverables are received. Please refer to the application test specification for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions for details on submission process and requirements.

Instructions

1. Download and review the application test specification for the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions.
2. Register by selecting and completing the test questionnaire for all the test components you wish your product to be tested for:
   • Windows Server 
   • SQL Server 
   • Managed Code 
   • Web Services plus .NET Framework 
   • Microsoft Office 2003

   We have detailed instructions on the online registration process available for download. To register for additional components, please contact us (see "Contact VeriTest" below).

3. Provide payment information (check or credit card). 
4. Send us your product, documentation, etc. 
5. Learn about your next steps with Microsoft once you have successfully completed testing.

Publicity Guidelines

If you publicize your completion of this test (via press release, web site content or other marketing material), and you refer to the testing conducted by VeriTest, you must limit the VeriTest reference to the following statement: "Testing was conducted independently by VeriTest, a testing service of Lionbridge Technologies." Please direct questions about publicity to pr@lionbridge.com.

Contact VeriTest

msplatformtest@veritest.com
+1 425.468.1108 (U.S.)
+353 96 73702 ext 575 (Europe)