TechKnowledge

[ABerkowicz]

Hi everyone.

We are considering not renewing our support and enhancement contract with GP for this upcoming year. We dont plan on upgrading immediately and we know the tables and GP system fairly well that we dont submit support requests often.

The thing that concerns me is that by not having an enhancement program, we lose access to the knowledgebase of GP. The knowledgebase helps with identifying quality reports that are out there and problems in the past that have been fixed.

Does anyone know if we can access knowledgeBase of GP without a support plan or any other ideas on how to get this access? For instance, what if I wanted to become a GP consultant and can I someone get my own access to knowledgeBase of GP? How does one become a partner of GP?

Any information would help on any of these topics - thanks!

 

[lpgforms]

You wouldn't be the first person to consider becoming a GP reseller to avoid enhancement fees - but to become and MBS partner, you would need to pay an annual fee to MBS - I think it is currently 3K. In addition, you have to be approved as a reseller - which means that they expect you to have a plan for selling the product. Otherwise you may not get renewed.

One thing to think about - do you have payroll on your system? You need to be current on your enhancement to get tax table updates. And if you wish to become current at a later date, MBS charges penalties. (Although I can usually get those waived, especially at year end.)

Have you considered decreasing your rate from 18% to 16%? Not much of a cost savings, but that's as low as I can get it for clients.



AFAIK, there is no access to techknowledge except through customer/partnersource.


Brian

 

[celeron895]

lpgforms is right. It will be tricky to become a reseller if you have no intent on selling the product. Probably more work than it is worth.

How about sticking it out a few more years until MBS drops the channel partner program all together. Then you will be able to buy directly from M$ and probably have access to the knowledge base just the same as other M$ products.

 

[Dukester0122]

If you plan on becoming a GP Consultant your best choice is working for a VAR. They'll give you access to TechKnowledge and you don't have to worry on quotas given by MBS. VARs need to pay the annual fee and also have to get certifications to qualify in selling the products.

If you plan on becoming an Independent Consultant then your access code will be coming from your customers who pays the enhancement contracts.

Goodluck!!!