Touchdown (Beta 2 Releases)

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Touchdown is a structured early adoption program offered to 1500 managed ISVs worldwide who wish to build solutions on the Microsoft platform. Touchdown offers a similar experience to Ascend but begins later - after the first public CTP (i.e. beta 2) is released. The program is jointly supported and managed by Redmond HQ and local Microsoft teams, and is delivered at many convenient locations worldwide. The essential program offerings are:

  • Three to four days of technical training for ISV developers
  • Optional application compatibility labs
  • Online technical support services for pre-release technology

The goal of Touchdown is to facilitate the completion of deployable applications by RTM+180 days. All ISVs enrolled in the Touchdown program are required to send a representative to training. Attendance at application compatibility labs is optional. To register for the program, an ISV must first be invited, complete a profile describing their project, and select the training location they wish to attend. ISVs are required to regularly update the status of their project in throughout the Touchdown program using an online tool.

Program benefits to our ISV partners include:

  • Developer Training. The Touchdown team contracts with approved local subject matter experts to deliver detailed instructor-led training.
  • Optional hands-on application compatibility labs, testing tools and methods. Touchdown teams provide a variety of application compatibility labs or self-paced tools to support the development work. Our goal is to ensure your applications work correctly on the Microsoft platform leveraging the extensive depth of technologies available from Microsoft.
  • Increase visibility and reduce time to market. As early adopters, Touchdown participants will be among the first partners recognized for building and deploying applications.
  • Lower development cost. Learn how to build the best and most stable applications in less time using Microsoft’s latest tools and technologies
  • Launch marketing opportunities. A variety of marketing options will be made available to ISVs who successfully complete the program