Software Assurance Planning Services
Prepare for & Learn about L&EDPS Engagements
Get Ready to Deploy Exchange & Lync!
Learn how to prepare for L&EDPS and deliver a successful and productive engagement. Find details on the information and resources to become an approved L&EDPS provider, as well as the technical skills and requirements recommended for each type of engagement.
 
 
L&EDPS Provider Requirements
To be eligible to participate in L&EDPS, your organization must be an active member of the Microsoft Partner Network that has obtained either a Silver or Gold level Messaging or Communications competency.
 
Learn about becoming a member of the Microsoft Partner Network
Learn how to achieve a Messaging competency
Learn how to acheive a Communications competency
 
 
Competency Requirements
Member organizations of the Microsoft Partner Network that hold an active Messaging or Communications competency are eligible to participate in L&EDPS.
 
Once you are an approved L&EDPS partner, you may deliver engagements for all scenarios: Messaging, Instant Messaging and Presence, Conferencing and Enterprise Voice for on-premise and cloud migrations and deployments. We strongly recommend that Partners obtain a Communications competency before delivering Enterprise Voice engagements.
 
 
L&EDPS Engagement Delivery Skills
Every offering within L&EDPS requires different levels of skills and knowledge set. The following background and skill sets are the general recommendations for a delivery consultant. Visit the respective engagement pages for skills and certifications requirements that correspond to your technology and customer offering.
 
Soft Skills:
  • Presentation skills, ability to adapt to customer interests
  • Project planning
  • Ability to create high quality documentation
 
 
Technical skills & acumen:
  • Technical knowledge of Exchange Server and Lync products
  • Delivery consultants and partner organizations must maintain up-to-date certification and competency records on the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)
  • Experience designing and implementing messaging and communications solutions
  • Solid engagement delivery experience
 
 
On-Premises Technical Requirements
Reference the delivery guide specific to your engagement type for Exchange Server and Lync on-premises technical requirements.

Ready to get started? Check out the Consultant's Introductory Guide to L&EDPS Deliveries

 

 


Unified Communications Competency Split
In response to partner feedback and industry trends, the Unified Communications competency was split in October 2011 into two separate competencies: the Messaging competency and the Communications competency. The Messaging competency is for solutions partners who want to broaden their business portfolios to sell, deploy, and support Microsoft Exchange and solutions built on the Exchange platform. The Communications competency is for solutions partners who want to broaden their business portfolios to sell, deploy, and support Microsoft Lync or to build products and solutions on or interoperable with the Lync platform.

 
 
With the split of the Unified Communications competency, you will be able to further strengthen your Lync and Exchange practice and differentiate your expertise in market to expand customer opportunities and compete more effectively.
 
 
Review the Evolution of the Unified Communications Competency Guide for details about the transition, along with requirements and benefits for the new Messaging competency and Communications competency.