Microsoft Launches WebsiteSpark: Ignites New Opportunities for Web professionals and Organizations

700+ Web Companies Already Registered for the Program; TiE, IAMAI, Sign Up as Network Partners; Netmagic, Net 4 as Hosters

Taking forward the commitment towards building a strong Web ecosystem and fostering innovation around web, Microsoft India today launched the WebsiteSpark program, an initiative designed to create a partner network and drive business growth for professional web development and design companies. Combined with the release of the Web Platform Installer 2.0 and the Windows Web Application Gallery 2.0, the initiatives make it easier for Web professionals & Organizations to build richer, more compelling Web experiences. The program is supported by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) as the network partners; and Netmagic and Net 4, as the hosters.

Even before the formal launch of the program, more than 700 small web application & design companies/ independent developers in India have registered for the program. Web development and design companies with up to 25 employees and owners can participate in the WebsiteSpark Program for three years with no up-front cost except a $100 program offering fee, payable at exit. Web professionals can get more information at http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark.

As the latest initiative in the ‘Spark’ family of programs, including BizSpark and DreamSpark, Microsoft is building upon a legacy of working with key communities and providing the additional support, tools and resources needed in order to help them thrive. The WebsiteSpark Program provides Web professionals with Microsoft software and solutions, together with related tools, training and support, to help their businesses succeed. The WebsiteSpark Program also helps drive new business opportunities by connecting Web professionals and hosters with an ecosystem of customers, partners and other professionals with complementary technologies.

“Developers are the lifeblood of our business, and we are wholly committed to ensuring their success,” said Moorthy Uppaluri, General Manager - Developer Platform Evangelism, Microsoft India. “WebsiteSpark makes Microsoft’s Web development tools and support more accessible to developers and designers at small companies as they create inventive applications for the Web. Our third ‘Spark’ program, WebsiteSpark furthers our commitment to ignite innovation among key communities and individuals.”

Companies/developers signing up for WebsiteSpark Program will have access to:

- Microsoft Web design and development software and solutions, including three licenses to Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, two licenses to Microsoft Expression Web 3, and one license of Microsoft Expression Studio 3

- Four processor licenses for production usage to Windows Web Server 2008 or R2 (when available) and four processor licenses for production usage to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Web Edition

- A third-party premium Website control panel (DotNetPanel)

Participating companies/developers will also be facilitated with professional support and training:

- Two technical support incidents per company

- Access to community support through connections with Network Partners, Hosting Partners and peers with complementary services and technologies

- Unlimited access to technical managed newsgroups on MSDN

- Unlimited program support for non-technical issues

In addition to software, solutions, training and support, the WebsiteSpark program will extend the reach of participating companies by featuring their offerings in a WebsiteSpark marketplace, supported by Microsoft marketing vehicles.

Further, the program will provide an impactful partner ecosystem to support Web professionals’ success. The partnership with Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) will help jump-start web professionals’ development projects. Commenting on the launch, Dr. Subho Ray, President, IAMAI, “Initiatives like the Microsoft WebSiteSpark program are key to creating an ecosystem of “open innovation” by allowing collaborations among ecosystem participants. The programme is supportive of IAMAI’s goal of supporting small web design and development companies, and aligned with IAMAI’s objective of allowing a “thousand flowers to bloom” in the Indian internet space digital space.”

Sridar Iyengar, President TiE Mumbai, Past President TiE Silicon Valley and TiE Global, said, “To be or not be on the web, to paraphrase Shakespeare, is no longer an option available to businesses in India particularly the medium and small businesses who missed the first wave of web presence. They have to use the web to reach their customers and partners. TiE Mumbai is extremely pleased to be partnering with Microsoft to launch WebsiteSpark granting privileged access to tools which Web developers will need to cater to this demand.”

About Microsoft India

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, USA. It has had a presence in India since 1990 and currently has offices in 13 cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.

Media contact details

Rupali Kathuria, Senior Associate,
Genesis Burson-Marsteller,
+91 9873157160,
rupali.kathuria {at} bm(.)com

Sabah Hamid, Manager – Corporate PR,
Microsoft India,
+91 (124) 4158000,
sabah {at} microsoft(.)com

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