Chapter 14
The SharePoint ECM Ecosystem
What's in this chapter?
- Getting to know the ecosystem
- Becoming a partner in the ecosystem
- Participating in the community
- Discovering ISV solutions
Few can argue the success of the Microsoft Partner Network. It is one of the most successful channel organizations ever compiled in the history of information technology. At the heart of this channel are independent software vendors (ISVs). These ISVs are a focus of this chapter, with specific attention on ISVs in the SharePoint ECM Ecosystem.
Before moving directly into the discussion of the SharePoint ECM Ecosystem, this chapter provides an overview of the general Microsoft Partner Ecosystem and Microsoft Partnerships in a nutshell. The goal is for you to understand the importance of the ecosystem and why it is crucial to understand and embrace it not only as an ISV, but also as a reseller or implementer.
The Microsoft Partner Ecosystem
Although the term ecosystem is an obvious play on words, Microsoft and its partners are essential to the success of one another, much in the same way that organisms and biological environments rely on each other. This reliance between Microsoft and its partners creates what is known as the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem.
Biological ecosystems are mutually beneficial to all the participants, and the Microsoft ecosystem is no different — providing benefits to all parties. Microsoft benefits when partners sell licenses of its software and when they deploy applications ...
