Microsoft Platform Test for ISV Solutions at VeriTest

The Platform Test for ISV Solutions is the breadth test that allows you to measure your Solution’s technical capabilities against a specific set of Microsoft technical quality standards.  Successful completion of this test allows you to participate in sales and marketing benefits made available exclusively to those ISVs who pass this test.

Key Benefits

Some benefits of this test include:

• Earn valuable Partner points towards your desired status in the Microsoft Partner Program
  
  Each component that passes The Platform Test for ISVs is worth 10 points towards your certification in the Microsoft Partner Program
  
• Participate in valuable co-branded marketing opportunities
  
  ISVs that pass the SQL2008 component of the Platform test are eligible to participate in the SQL Solutions Brief Program. This program provides a co-branded marketing Solutions Brief highlighting your SQL application alongside information about SQL2008.
  
  ISVs that select the Windows Server foundation component of the Platform Test for ISVs and pass without any waivers, are eligible to participate in the Works with Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo program receive the "Works With Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo" and be listed in the Windows Server Catalogue.

For more information, visit the Microsoft Partner Program ISV Competency Benefits and Requirements page.

Program Updates

• The Platform SQL Server test does not fully support SQL Server 2008 R2, please ensure the earlier version of SQL Server 2008 is used.
• All Platform Windows Server tests must be completed on Hyper-V R2.
• Platform Windows Server 2008 now uses Windows Server 2008 R2 for Testing and applies the Works with Server 2008 R2 Technical bar Download Specification.

General Requirements

The Platform Test for ISV Solutions is currently intended for software solutions that run on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and leverage Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2007, SQL Server 2008, the .NET Framework, and/or XML web services. The Platform Test for ISV Solutions is open to released versions of commercially available software products that are intended to be installed on customer systems.

Note: Microsoft Partners with software solutions that they typically host on their own systems should consider the Platform Test for Hosted Solutions.

» Read General Requirements

Note: Windows Server 2008 tests are conducted on Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise x64 only.

» Read the detailed instructions on the online registration process

Platform Test Components

(Microsoft Partner Points: 10 points per component)

The Platform Test for ISV Solutions consists of two foundation test components and four elective test components.

• Foundation Test Components (must select one)
  
  
  • The Windows Server test component for server applications that run on Windows Server 2008.
  • The Windows Client test component for desktop applications that run on Windows Vista.

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

In order for a software application to pass the Platform Test for ISV Solutions, it must pass at least two test components, at least one of which must be a foundation test component. For example, you could select the Windows Server 2008 foundation test component and the SQL 2008 elective test component.

Note: Only client/server applications are eligible for testing for both the Windows Client and Windows Server test components of the Platform Test for ISV Solutions. A client/server application is loosely defined as an application that includes code that loads into memory and runs on the Windows Client platform and usually different code that loads into memory and runs on the Windows Server platform, and there is interaction between the code running on the two platforms.

ISV/Software Solution Competency

The Platform Test for ISV 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. Please note that Microsoft Partners must also comply with Microsoft's Customer Reference Requirements to achieve ISV/Software Solution Competency.

Microsoft Partner Points

The Platform Test for ISV 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 ISV Solutions are worth 10 Partner Points each, but only if the application passes testing for the Platform Test for ISV Solutions overall (i.e. passes one fundamental test component plus one other test component).

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

Note: Microsoft restricts the number of points awarded for tested products. Microsoft partners can earn Microsoft Partner Points for one version of one application that has passed qualified tests (including the Platform Test for ISV 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 ISV 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. Additionally, Microsoft caps the number of points awarded for tested products.

Note: Products can be tested for the Microsoft Office test component of the Platform Test on either Microsoft Office 2003 Editions or Microsoft Office 2007 Editions. No additional points are awarded for products that pass testing on both Office 2003 and Office 2007.

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.

Applications Eligible for the Platform Test

• Released versions of commercially available software, including web-based applications customers deploy 
• Development tools that feature an integrated development environment (IDE)  
• Applications that are add-ons or plug-ins for development tools, and that extend the IDE of the development tools they plug into

Applications Not Eligible for the Platform Test

• Beta versions of applications 
• Custom-developed applications 
• Applications developed in-house for internal use  
• Products that consist only of software libraries that are intended to be incorporated into new applications

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.

Instructions

1. Download and review the application test specification for the Platform Test for ISV 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
   • Windows Client
   • SQL Server
   • Managed Code
   • Web Services plus .NET Framework
   • Microsoft Office
   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. Click here to 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)