microsoft partner network... final version | june 28, 2012 confidential page 1 welcome robin smith...

Microsoft Partner NetworkUX Blueprint

Final Version | June 28, 2012

www.blinkux.com Final Version | June 28, 2012 CONFIDENTIAL

Key UX Principles

Navigational Framework

More focused authenticated experience – eliminating content that is not applicable to my current membership state (e.g. removing enroll calls to action while logged with a current membership) while highlighting content that is most immediately applicable.

Smoother, more integrated task flows – pull in content from external web sites where possible and desirable – create a more “single site” navigational experience.

Clearer sense of place – leverage the PMC as the hub for membership experience - drastically reduce repeated links, content, and cross-linking to simply the browsing experience.

Global Navigation

Content targeted to users’ membership activity and company characteristics – giving users clear suggested next steps to help them mature their partnership relationship with Microsoft.

Navigation-focused Pages

Linear (Funnel) Navigation

Content-focused Pages

Modal Presentation of External Content(Ex: Assessment Experience)

Top-level Information Architecture

Example Flows (Wireframes)

Seamless Integration (Ex: Partner Digital Distribution)

Integrating External Site Content

Key Content Embedded from Otherwise External System (Ex: Partner Sales Exchange)

External Site Retaining Some MPN Context (Ex: WPC Web Site)

MPN UX Blueprint

3

4

4

5

Membership

Downloads

Solutions

Support

Licensing

8

13

16

19

22

Training

Community

Sales and Marketing

25

28

33

Includes landing page concepts (wireframes) for each top-level area.

6

6

6

7

Enroll

Subscribe to Action Pack

Download Software/Get License Keys

36

43

54

Metro design philosophy – particularly creating a clean and purposeful experience.

Sites External to MPN (Ex: Microsoft Learning)

7

Table of Contents


Primary Top Navigation Bar and Menusa

Global Navigation

Header Navigationc

Footer Navigationd

Global navigation appears on all core pages of the MPN site.

c

ab

d

Breadcrumb Navigationb

Primary Top Navigation Bar and MenusBreadcrumb Navigation

Header Navigation

Footer Navigation

NAVIGATIONAL FRAMEWORK (1 of 3)

Membership Downloads Solutions Licensing Support Training Sales and Marketing CommunitySupport

Product Support

Microsoft Partner Network Support

Technical Pre-sales and Advisory Services

Support Overview

Online Technical Communities

Current location is indicated by bold text. Menus display “on click.” Conceptually group similar links together for easy scanning. Improve readability of menus by eliminating line-wrapping.

To simplify presentation, breadcrumb does not repeat page title, which appears below the breadcrumb. Home link is always the root of the breadcrumb. Menu areas (Membership, Downloads, etc.) link to the corresponding Overview page.

Home > Membership >

Microsoft Action Pack Subscriptions

Header navigation shown on wireframes is representative only – final header conventions will be defined by Microsoft.

Footer navigation is not shown on wireframes – final footer conventions will be defined by Microsoft.


Navigation-focused PagesNavigation pages main purpose is to present links, in context, that take the user down to the next level in the hierarchy.

Top-level landing pages (Overview pages) are examples of navigation pages. Links appear in the main content area of the page along with small amounts of explanatory text (calls to action) that help set expectations of what the destination page will contain.

Content-focused PagesContent pages main function is to present textual, graphical or other forms of content. Structurally, these are typically at the end of a hierarchal branch.

Content pages may have links to sibling pages (those that share the same parent). In this case, the sibling pages are presented at the top of the page as tabs.


DownloadsMembership

Core Benefits

Action Pack Subscriptions

Competencies

Cloud Programs

Membership Overview

Partner Membership Center

Each top-level menu item has a corresponding Overview page. Primary links on the Overview pages consist of child links listed in the menu.

Child links that appear on the Overview page.

See these example pages: 32, 56-57

See these example pages: 11, 12, 15, 21, 24, 27, 30, 31, 35

Section headers on navigation pages should click through to the corresponding destination page.


Linear (Funnel) Navigation

b

aa Progress bar navigation follows the visual conventions used in the Microsoft Store.

b Single Next button provides navigation forward; browser Back takes the user to a previous step if required. Previous steps shown in progress bar navigation may also be linked.

The last step in the funnel uses a Finish or Submit button—or otherwise indicates the end of the funnel.

Button is positioned flush left with fields to provide a strong “vertical line of completion.”


See these example pages: 37-41


INTEGRATING EXTERNAL SITE CONTENT (1 of 2)

Seamless IntegrationWith seamless integration into the MPN architecture, users will experience content that is currently external to MPN as a unified whole.

Sites recommended for seamless integration include: Partner Membership Center Partner Dashboard Benefits (Licensing) Calculator Partner Digital Distribution Microsoft Platform Ready Microsoft Cloud Program Ready to Go Marketing Logo Builder Demo Showcase Microsoft Financing LicenseWise Get Licensing Ready

Key Content Embedded

Examples: Ready-to-Go Marketing (page 32) and Partner Digital Distribution (page 56)

Example: Sales and Marketing Overview – Logged In - see page 31.

Systems that are best kept as an external experience can have key content embedded in MPN as a “launching point” for the full external experience.

Sites recommended for key content embedded: Partner Sales Exchange (PSX) Pinpoint

Modal Presentation of External ContentModel presentation can be used to launch a task-specific activity such as learning.

Recommended for modal presentation: Partner Learning Center Assessments (course listings and

course introductions should be seamlessly integrated into MPN).

Example: Partner Learning Center, see pages 46-47.


INTEGRATING EXTERNAL SITE CONTENT (2 of 2)

External Site Retaining Some MPN ContextSites that should remain external can also carry MPN branding and context, and link back to the core MPN site.

External sites recommended for retaining some MPN Context include: WPC Web Site: logo in this case should linked back to the main MPN

web site.

Sites External to MPNSites that are more loosely related to MPN should remain external; links to the external sites should open in a new browser window.

Site that should remain external include: Microsoft Learning


NETWORK OVERVIEW ENROLL

MANAGE MEMBERSHIPCORE BENEFITS

COMPENTENCIES ACTION PACK SUBSCRIPTION

Membership | Current Top-Level Pages


Home

Page 10

Membership Downloads Solutions Licensing Support Training Sales & Marketing Community

Membership Overview

Pages 11-12


Page 42

Core Benefits


Page 44

Competencies

Cloud Programs

Enroll Enrollment (Funnel)

Pages 37-41

Pre-Qualify Now MPN member?

NO

YES

Action Pack Recommendation

Membership | Proposed Architecture

DownloadsMembership

Core Benefits


Competencies

Cloud Programs

Membership Overview


Key Recommendations: Replace current Network Overview page with Membership Overview

page that presents targeted content based on 1) authentication status and 2) membership status (see pages 11-12)

Replace Manage Membership page with a direct link to a PMC that is fully integrated into the site structure.

Add Cloud Programs.

Action Pack Subscription (Funnel)

Page 49

Assessment

Pages 45-47

Finish

Assessment Status Confirmation

Page 48


Welcome Robin SmithAcme Systems Management

Membership Downloads Solutions Licensing Support Training Sales and Marketing Community

All Microsoft Sites United States (Change Location) Sign Out

Help

Search Microsoft Partner Network

Microsoft Partner NetworkMicrosoft Partner Network

768

1024

600

800Home - Public

Already a member?

Home


Renew your membership

Not a member?

Join Now Learn More

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Get your competency logo

Download your software

Get volume license keys

Popular membership links

Sign In

Public Home Page | Key Recommendations: Surface key membership-only links even in Public (not logged in) view of

Home page. Clicking on link then asks user to log in. Rely on explicit login function in header.


Welcome Robin SmithAcme Systems Management

Membership Downloads Solutions Licensing Support Training Sales and Marketing Community

All Microsoft Sites United States (Change Location) Sign Out

Help

Search Microsoft Partner Network

Microsoft Partner NetworkMicrosoft Partner Network

768

1024

600

800Membership Overview - Public

Home >

Membership Overview

The Microsoft Partner Network is committed to serving the needs of our partners. And helping partners—along with more than 160 million mutual customers worldwide—realize their full potential is central to that mission.

Microsoft Partners can access training and sales and marketing benefits that can strengthen your competitive advantage. According to Wygwam CEO Gregoire Malvoisin, being a Microsoft partner is “hugely profitable."

Microsoft Action Pack Subscription

Microsoft Silver or Gold Competency


Join Now

The Partner Membership Center is your personalized hub for membership. Administer your account and quickly access your membership benefits.

Learn More about Core Benefits Login to the Partner Membership Center

Already a member?

Sign In

Microsoft Cloud Programs

Microsoft Action Pack subscriptions provide cost-effective opportunities to access software, technical communities, training, and sales and marketing tools, all to help you build your practice around the latest Microsoft technologies. More >

A Microsoft gold or silver competency can differentiate your company in the marketplace and enable you to capitalize on market opportunities by utilizing tailored competency benefits. More >

Not sure what option is right for your business? Use our benefits calculator to find out.

As a member of the Cloud Essentials or Cloud Accelerate program, you’re eligible for valuable benefits, including:

Internal-use rights to the latest cloud technologies from Microsoft

Technical Presales Assistance and marketing resources tailored for your cloud offerings

Training opportunities to help you build your expertise

More about Cloud Programs

Membership Overview (Public) | Key Recommendations: Present a single-instance of links to second-level pages in the membership

area.

Membership

microsoft partner network... final version | june 28, 2012 confidential page 1 welcome robin smith...

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