Become a Partner

Expand your business with increased visibility and credibility as a member of the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP). You’ll accelerate your growth with marketing resources, product training and sales support when you join the program that has supported Windows Embedded Partners for more than ten years.

    About the ProgramBenefitsRequirementsHow to Join

    The Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP) represents an ecosystem of technology partners to support OEMs, solution providers and enterprises in the creation of devices and intelligent system solutions—supporting your business with increased visibility, credibility, resources and networking opportunities with Microsoft.

    The program delivers a suite of powerful benefits, including early access to launch previews, technical briefings and trainings, and visibility into product innovation strategy. Your Partner Profile on the Microsoft website will provide valuable exposure to customers, and your message will reach thousands of Windows Embedded customers via the InfoBlast Newsletter. Promote your affiliation with Microsoft using the Windows Embedded Partner logo, and stay up to date through the Partner Update Newsletter and WEPP blog. Plus, WEPP partners may receive special invitations to network with Microsoft executives and other WEPP members at summits, briefings and other events.

    Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and solution providers will receive targeted benefits at all levels of membership. Accelerate your growth with marketing support including expert guidance, marketing materials and market-development funds. Expand your reach by participating in networking opportunities, marketing campaigns and case studies. And take advantage of your connection to other partners in the Windows Embedded Partner ecosystem to get your solutions and devices to market faster.

     Previous Next: Benefits 

    Enrich your company’s identity, marketing efforts and technical readiness with the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP). WEPP provides significant benefits at every stage of your product or solution development cycle.

    • Plan
      • Training - access introductory Windows Embedded tutorials for your sales, marketing, and technical staff
      • Evaluation toolkits - download or request trial copies of Windows Embedded platform toolkits for evaluation purposes
      • Market Data – industry trends and market direction
      • Early Access to New Product Information – ensure your teams are among the first to find out about upcoming products via LiveMeeting sessions
      • Early Access to Betas – be among the first to get product access and get the opportunity to provide feedback
      • Early Access to Product Roadmaps – a confidential look at new product direction
      • Regional Summits and Briefings – network with members of the product team and others in the partner community (not accessible to OEM and Solutions Provider partners)
      • Gold partners receive all benefits listed above
    • Design
      • Product Training - development training to get you started on our platforms
      • Technical White Papers - technical insight into developing on our platforms
      • Reference Guides - technical guidance on our technologies
      • Technical Briefings - LiveMeeting sessions about upcoming products
      • MSDN Subscription - one yearly MSDN Premium Subscription with all of the Microsoft platforms and Windows Embedded technologies you need for your customer projects
      System Integrators in select countries only
      • Premium Source Code Access - get additional code access for successful Windows Embedded CE integration projects
    • Market
      • Promote your partnership by displaying the WEPP logo
      • POSReady Catalog – showcase your retail and hospitality peripherals and applications
      • Partner Directory – your Partner Profile will be viewed by thousands of Windows Embedded customers
      • InfoBlast Newsletter - announce your latest products, services and training offerings in the official Windows Embedded newsletter
      • Presentations and Sales Tools – make use of official Windows Embedded presentations, datasheets and marketing resources
      • Event Traffic - drive traffic to your booth at industry conferences and trade shows
      OEM & Solutions Provider Partners
      • Powered by Windows Embedded Logo – set your solution apart
      • Device Catalog – display your devices on the Windows Embedded website
      • Handheld Catalog – features enterprise handheld devices that run on Windows Embedded
      • Case Studies – promote your Windows Embedded solutions in official Microsoft case studies
      Hardware & Board Vendors
      • Supported Drivers List – provides a location for you to promote your available Windows Embedded Compact drivers
      Software Partners
      • Promote your partnership by displaying the Silver WEPP logo
      • Campaign Integration – Go-To-Market with Microsoft in official Windows Embedded marketing campaigns
      • Preferential Placement in the Partner Directory – your Partner Profile will be viewed by thousands of Windows Embedded customers
      • Preferential Placement in the InfoBlast Newsletter - announce your latest products, services and training offerings in the official Windows Embedded newsletter
      OEM & Solution Provider Partners
      • Market Development Funds - we match your investment
      • Promote your partnership by displaying the Gold WEPP logo
      • Excellence Awards - show your expertise through the annual Windows Embedded Excellence Awards
      • Best Placement in the Partner Directory – your Partner Profile will be viewed by thousands of Windows Embedded customers
      • Partner Directory Spotlight – you will be spotlighted on the WEPP home page and Partner Directory
      • Best Placement in the InfoBlast Newsletter - announce your latest products, services and training offerings in the official Windows Embedded newsletter
      • Industry Conferences & trade Shows – receive invitations to join the Microsoft booth at selected events
      OEM & Solution Provider Partners
      • Customer Sales Calls - we help you close deals
    • Support
      • Partner Resource Center – access Windows Embedded product information, training, and program resources
      • Partner Membership Center – manage your Partner Profile
      • Partner Update Newsletter – get the latest Microsoft Windows Embedded and WEPP program news
      Training Partners
      • Official Training Courseware –access to free, quality training materials for the most popular Windows Embedded platforms
      • Preferential Access to the Partner Resource Center – access Windows Embedded product information, training, and program resources
      • Networking Opportunities – get to know the product team and other partners
      • Gold partners receive all benefits listed above
     Previous: About the Program Next: Requirements 

    Organizations can participate in WEPP at three different levels: registered, silver and gold. The investment you make in your practice increases as you move from one level to the next, as do the benefits. Partners join WEPP and start receiving benefits at the “registered” level. To earn a Silver or Gold level membership in WEPP, partners must meet the following qualifications:

    OEMs and Solution Providers All Other Partners
    Silver Gold Silver Gold
    Offerings Windows Embedded-based products or solutions Full Microsoft Intelligent System Solution for business end customers* Windows Embedded-based products or solutions Windows Embedded-based products or solutions
    Impact One of the following:
    Earn 500 "Partner Points"
    • Silver Level Revenue Minimum
    • Direct License Agreement
    		 One of the following:
    • Earn 1500 "Partner Points"
    • Gold Level Revenue Minimum
    		 Earn 500 "Partner Points" Earn 1500 "Partner Points"
    Technical Expertise One of the following:
    • Employ one or more Microsoft Certified Professionals
    • Relationship with a WEPP Gold partner
    		 One of the following:
    • Employ two or more Microsoft Certified Professionals
    • Relationship with a WEPP Gold partner
    		 Employ 1-2 Microsoft Certified Professionals Employ 2-4 Microsoft Certified Professionals
    Customer Satisfaction One of the following:
    • 2 Customer References
    • 1 Case Study
    		 One of the following:
    • 5 Customer References
    • 1 Case Study
    		 2 Customer References 5 Customer References
    Commitment
    • NDA
    • Use WEPP Logo
    • Complete readiness trainings
    • Participate in WEPP
    • Annual Survey, etc.

    *A Microsoft intelligent system enables data to flow across an enterprise infrastructure, spanning the devices where valuable data is gathered from employees and customers, to the back-end systems where that data can be translated into insights and action. A Gold level partner’s intelligent system solution should include devices running one or more Windows Embedded technologies; include hardware, software, and services; and interoperate with one or more Microsoft stack technologies such as Windows Server, SQL Server, Azure, SharePoint, or System Center Configuration Manager.

    Learn more about Intelligent Systems here.

    WEPP members earn the Silver and Gold levels by meeting requirements in five criteria – Offerings, Impact, Technical Expertise, Customer Satisfaction, and Commitment. Partners can meet the Impact requirement by completing activities that earn points in the WEPP program. Partners will need at least 500 points for Silver level membership, and a minimum of 1500 points for Gold level membership. Points will be earned in the following categories:

    Silver Gold
    Core (80% or more of minimum points): Key activities that help drive the business, including lead-generation activities, design wins, official training courses, creating BSPs, and participating in our Hardware Kitting program. 400+ pts 1200+ pts
    Core (80% or more of minimum points): Key activities that help drive the business, including lead-generation activities, design wins, official training courses, creating BSPs, and participating in our Hardware Kitting program. 400+ pts 1200+ pts
    Electives (20% or less of minimum points): Awareness-building activities such as academic and community engagements, case studies, press releases, and participating in industry events. 0-100 pts 0-300 pts
    Minimum Total Points 500 pts 1500 pts

    For more detail on the WEPP activity types, keep reading below. WEPP members can see full descriptions of the activities to be rewarded, and the points associated for each activity, on the Windows Embedded Partner Resource Center.

    This list of representative Core, Elective and Programmatic activities is a useful guide to understand the types of activities WEPP Silver and Gold partners participate in to earn the Silver and Gold membership levels. This list may change throughout the year. The complete, official list is available to all WEPP members on the Windows Embedded Partner Resource Center.

    CORE ACTIVITIES

    • Shipping customer projects
    • High-volume Windows Embedded win
    • Customer project with a Distributor or the Microsoft OEM team
    • Partner driven marketing activities with Distributor involvement
    • Customer sales or technical training
    • Creating Board Support Packages for Windows Embedded CE
    • Selling 3rd party developer 100 toolkits for Windows Embedded platforms
    • Creating new software applications that support Windows Embedded
    • Creating drivers for Windows Embedded Standard

    ELECTIVE ACTIVITIES

    • Press Releases
    • Additional MCPs
    • Hands-On Labs or technical sessions at Industry Events
    • Windows Embedded banners on partner website
    • Windows Embedded promotion in partner’s newsletter
    • Partner case study, referenced on ms.com
    • Developer community outreach
    • Academic outreach
    • Partner or MVP blog
    • Non-paid contributions to Windows Embedded technical training resources
    • Self-developed reference design with collateral and Windows Embedded positioning
     Previous: Benefits Next: How to Join 

    Join the Windows Embedded Partner Program at the Registered level; later, by increasing your investment in your practice, you may become eligible for Silver or Gold status.

    Step 1: Enroll in the Microsoft Partner Network. All members of the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP) must be registered members of the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN). The Partner Network offers training, sales and marketing resources to support your business efforts and provide promotional opportunities across the Microsoft ecosystem. There is no fee for joining at the Registered level.

    Step 2: Enroll in the Windows Embedded Partner Program.

    1. Sign into the http://Windows Embedded Partner Membership Center with the same Windows Live ID used for enrolling in MPN.

    2. Complete and submit the WEPP application form.

    3. If you are accepted, you will receive an email with the Microsoft Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

    4. Sign and return the NDA.

     Previous: RequirementsNext 

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