Look how old this is! I post at SearchCommander.com now, and this post was published 17 years 27 days ago. This industry changes FAST, so blindly following the advice here *may not* be a good idea! If you're at all unsure, feel free to hit me up on Twitter and ask.
I’ve been a Microsoft Action Pack subscriber for years, and I was dismayed to hear that they were going to be requiring any proficiency test for 2008. Not because I was afraid I couldn’t pass it (which I couldn’t without studying) but because it was a huge inconvenience and time sucker.
I had already resigned myself to the fact that I just wasn’t going to be renewing for 2008, and I was just going to buy the necessary software that I needed. In fact I was considering giving up office altogether and favor of Google Docs.
About 10 days ago I got a phone call from Microsoft saying that they were offering me the opportunity to renew my subscription before the end of November without having to take the test. That phone call was immediately followed up by e-mail with the same offer.
So this is a reminder to those of you computer consultants who don’t have the time to take a Microsoft test that you can get in on the Action Pack by renewing your script and before the end of November.
I followed the link in the email, which got me to the MS partner site, but there still no obvious way to renew.
Once I got in, the interface changed completely, and there was still no simple way to convert my renewal.
Finally, I found the signup form, where upon attempted re-enrollment, I was required to put in my subscription number. Here are a couple of screen shots to smooth the path…
***************
Then here-
After filling out my info, it said this –
To locate your Microsoft Subscription ID, please refer to the renewal reminder email you received. If you cannot locate that email, contact your MAPS customer service representative.
but the email I received did not contain any number, because it wasn’t a renewal notice, and I have no MAPS customer service representative I’m aware of. Sigh…
Ultimately, I logged into my office PC remotely, (I’m out of town) and found my old filed email.
To make a long story short, renew before the 30th or you’ll be taking a test and studying…
As usual, Microsoft’s communication was very confusing. It makes me wonder if there are committees at Microsoft whose job it is to see how confusing they can make things. And weaving your thru the MS website is truly an exercise in futility and a test of one’s patience.
Now it appears to me as though Nov 29th was the deadline for new Action Pak subscribers to enroll without a test and the deadline to renew without a test is March 1st, 2008. At least that’s my interpretation of the new webpage https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40049687
Wow, I guess not enough people took advantage. My received email was clear – unless I renewsed by 11/30, I’d have to take a test.
I don’t see the requirement to pass a certification test every couple of years as a hardship, rather, in my case it was an impetus to do what I knew I should have been doing anyway.
I actually got a voucher for an online cram session, and a voucher for the test both for $175, the exam fee is usually $125 so its like getting the cram session for $50.
And really folks, the action pack is oriented at MS consultants/techs so if your just a leech, go buy the fracking software.
If you really value your relationship with MS, then take the test and you will learn something as well as being cleared for takeoff on the action pack for the next couple of years.