When you enrol on the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)and opt to be included in Microsoft directories during enrolment, it may take up to three business days for your information to migrate to Pinpoint.

After three business days, you can log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard to check the status of your Company Overview and to make any necessary changes. New information typically takes up to 15 business days to appear on the Pinpoint website. (Note: Time to publish may vary for different countries. Learn more.)

If your information does not appear within this time, it could be for a one of the following reasons: Your Company Overview does not meet Pinpoint Profile Guidelines; you did not associate your Windows Live ID to your MPN membership; or you did not opt to be listed in Microsoft directories during MPN enrolment. Learn how to resolve these and other issues that can hold up publishing.

If your company is already on Pinpoint you can make edits from your Pinpoint Dashboard. Click on Dashboard in the upper right hand corner of any page and sign in with your Windows Live ID that you use to access MPN.

1. Click on Edit Profiles.
2. If editing your overview, choose the Company Overviews tab.
• In the Actions pull-down menu, click on Edit Details.
• After making your changes make sure that you click on the green Save Draft or Submit for Approval button.
3. If editing your offerings, choose the Apps + Services tab.
   • Choose the application or service you want to change.
   • In the Actions pull-down menu, click on Edit Details.
   • After making your changes make sure that you click on the green Save Draft or Submit for Approval button.

Learn more about updating and optimising your profile.

To change the location on your company listing (or add/delete a location), log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard with your Windows Live ID that you use to access MPN and do the following:

1. Select the Edit Profiles tab.
2. Select the Company Overviews tab.
3. In the Actions drop-down menu select Manage Locations.
4. Select the office location you wish to update or the Add Another Location button.
5. Select Edit Location.
6. Update the location information or if you wish to delete the office, scroll down and select Remove.
7. Click on Save Draft or Submit for Approval.

It may take up to 15 business days for your profile changes to appear on Pinpoint.

Log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard with your Windows Live ID that you use to access MPN and click Edit Profiles. Under the Apps + Services tab, find the listing for the application or service you want to associate specific search and browse categories to, then:

1. In the Actions drop-down menu select View Details.
2. Select Edit Shared Attributes.
3. Select the Application or Professional Service Sub-Types.
4. Select the Relevant Browse Categories.
5. Select the Microsoft Technology Compatibility.
6. Select the Applicable Industries.
7. Select the Platform or Program if necessary.
8. Scroll down and save your modified application or professional service listing.
9. Submit your saved work for validation.

It may take up to 15 business days for your profile changes to appear on Pinpoint.

Applications listed on Pinpoint are software applications defined as complete, self-contained software programs, as well as software components that extend the functionality of a software program such as bits, add-ins, plug-ins and web services.

Application types featured on Pinpoint also include:

• Network applications.
• Distributed applications (client and server together).
• Groupings of software applications that include both executable files and other software components, such as a database.
• System software (infrastructure) or middleware (computer services/processes integrators).
• Pre-designed, pre-configured code for a specific purpose.

Custom application development services and custom application implementation services should be listed as Professional Services on Pinpoint.

Requirements:

• Applications must not harm customers or be malicious, dishonest, invasive, obscene or act in any manner restricted by the Terms of Use.
• Applications must be built to run on Microsoft platform technologies such as computer platforms (Windows Server, Windows Azure), applications platforms (CRM, SharePoint, Exchange) and client platforms.

Recommendations:

• Applications supportability: ISVs should provide links to application support pages and/or other documentation.
• Free trial version: ISVs should provide links to free trial versions and/or demos of the applications.
• Inter-links: ISVs should include a direct link on their website to their application listings on Pinpoint so that potential customers can view relevant Microsoft certifications, as well as ratings and reviews by other customers.

The more specifically you present your services and applications on your Pinpoint profile, the higher your company will appear in search result rankings and the more prospects you will attract. Here are some easy tips:

• Tell customers exactly how your applications and services address their specific needs.
• Use simple, everyday language your customers use to describe your applications and services. Even if you are describing something very technical, avoid technical jargon.
• Focus on benefits, not features.
• List your Microsoft certifications.
• Keep your listings short, to the point and avoid marketing-speak. Less is more.
• Include a company logo. This can help distinguish your company from competitors and maximise your visibility and credibility.

One other tip is to encourage your customers to give you ratings and reviews. Pinpoint usability studies show partners who have ratings and reviews are 10 times more likely to engage prospects. Learn more about getting customer reviews.

Our Spotlight articles feature companies that deliver applications and services relevant to article topics. The Pinpoint home page currently features companies, applications or services with the highest overall search ranking as determined by the Pinpoint search engine.

The search engine takes into account a number of factors including:

• Relevant keyword match.
• Whether or not you have a complete profile.
A complete profile contains:
• A concise company overview that states your expertise in the first sentence.
• Application and professional service names that resonate with your customers’ needs.
• Succinct application and services listings that use “Keywords” to spell out the benefits to customers.
• Links to screenshots, demos, trials, white papers and other additional documentation that support your offerings.
• Customer rating and reviews.
• Relevant Microsoft competencies.
• Accurate attributes for your listing in the Listing Type, Relevant Business Needs, Microsoft “Works With” Products and Applicable Industry drop down menus in the Dashboard.
• If you are a Cloud Accelerate partner. Cloud Accelerate partners receive a boost in search ranking and are identifiable by the Cloud Accelerate badge. Learn more about this programme.
• If you have the CfMD credential (Certified for Microsoft Dynamics). This certification is for Microsoft Dynamics partners only, for the qualifying Microsoft Dynamics applications they create. Applications with this distinction receive a boost in search rankings.
• Customer Ratings and Reviews. Improve the relevancy of your listings in search results by getting your customers to submit honest reviews about their experiences with you, your applications and professional services. Encourage them to go to the Reviews section of your company’s profile and click on the Submit a Review button. Learn more about getting customer reviews.

If you have a success story or an innovative product or service you want people to know about, there may be other opportunities for you to be featured. Please contact the Pinpoint team.

Here are the top things you can do to improve your ranking in Pinpoint search results.

• Integrate relevant keywords in your profile: Pinpoint metrics show that profiles that include words that resonate with business customers and/or align with the business tasks they need to accomplish receive the most traffic and surface higher in search results. The following are just a sampling of the keywords that might be applicable to your Microsoft Dynamics applications or services: Accounting, Inventory, Sales Force Automation, marketing or customer service, project
• Listen to the words your customers use when they talk to you about their business needs. It is likely they use words that many business customers might use to both speak about and search for the technology products and services you offer. Include these words in your company description, your application and/or service name, and your application and/or service listing so that search engines can recognise them.
• Align with Microsoft competencies: Customers can easily recognise qualified Microsoft partners through the new Microsoft competencies. Silver and/or Gold competencies are considered in search rankings. Learn more.
• Get Customer Ratings and Reviews: Improve the relevancy of your listings in search results by getting your customers to submit honest reviews about their experiences with you, your software and services. Encourage them to go to the Reviews section of your company’s profile and click on the Submit a Review button. Learn more about getting customer reviews.
• Earn the CfMD credential (Certified for Microsoft Dynamics—for Microsoft Dynamics partners only) for your applications. Applications with this distinction are considered in search rankings.

You are 10 times more likely to engage prospects with a complete profile. A complete profile has:

• A concise company overview that states your expertise in the first sentence.
• Application and professional service names that resonate with your customers’ needs.
• Succinct application and services listings that use “keywords” to spell out the benefits to customers.
• Links to screenshots, demos, trials, white papers and other additional documentation that support your offerings.
• Customer ratings and reviews.

Create a listing for each application or service your company offers.  The more specific you are in describing what your application or professional service helps customers to do or accomplish, the more prospects you will attract.

Keep your profile updated. Each time you add a new application, service or promotion, list it on Pinpoint or the relevant product marketplace.

Learn more about optimising your profile.

By far the most effective way to improve your rankings in Pinpoint and marketplace search results is to integrate relevant keywords in the right places in your profile. (See the next question in this FAQ for more information on keywords.)

Other things you can do include:

• Create a complete profile. Create separate, distinct listings for every application and service your company offers.
• Earn relevant Microsoft competencies. Customers can easily recognise qualified Microsoft partners through the Microsoft competencies. Silver and/or Gold competencies are considered in search rankings. Learn more about Microsoft competencies.
• Select the most accurate attributes for your listing in the Listing Type, Relevant Business Needs, Microsoft “Works With” Products, and Applicable Industry drop-down menus in the Dashboard.
• Become a Cloud Accelerate partner. Cloud Accelerate partners receive a boost in search ranking and are identifiable by the Cloud Accelerate badge. Learn more about this programme.
• Earn the CfMD credential (Certified for Microsoft Dynamics). This certification is for Microsoft Dynamics partners only, for the qualifying Microsoft Dynamics applications they create. Applications with this distinction receive a boost in search rankings.
• Get Customer Ratings and Reviews. Improve the relevancy of your listings in search results by getting your customers to submit honest reviews about their experiences with you, your applications and professional services. Encourage them to go to the Reviews section of your company’s profile and click on the Submit a Review button. Learn more about getting customer reviews.

The number one thing you can do to optimise your profile for search engines is to integrate keywords into your company overview and application and service listings.

“Keywords” are the words your customers use to search for your applications and services. These can be action-orientated or product-related words and/or phrases that define:

• The benefits a customer gets from using your application or service.
• The specific tasks or objectives a customer wants to accomplish by using your application or service.

Metrics show that profiles that include words that resonate with business customers and/or align with the business tasks they need to accomplish get the most traffic and surface higher in search results.

Sources for keywords:

• Listen to the words your customers use when they talk to you about their business needs. It is likely they use words that many business customers might use to both speak about and search for the technology products and services you offer.
• Use online tools like the Bing Keyword Tool by WordStream, Google Insights for Search and Wordtracker.
• Look on Microsoft sites for the Microsoft product your applications and services enhance or support.

Guidance for placement and frequency of keywords:

The placement and frequency of keywords in your profile needs to be realistic and relevant. The goal is to create a readable profile that showcases your expertise and speaks to the needs of your customers. Pinpoint and marketplace search engines scan the following for keywords:

• Company Name: You may only use your company’s legal business name. Do not include Microsoft product names in your company name.
• Application or Professional Service Name: Give your offerings names that tell customers what they do. You can include a Microsoft product name in your application or professional service name ONLY if the name also includes an additional description or qualifier that indicates what your offering does for customers or how it enhances the Microsoft product.
• Company Overview, Application or Service Listing:

The first two sentences of your Company Overview and Application or Service Listing are the most important.

• Tell people straight away what your expertise is.
• State exactly what your application or service does.

 Do this using succinct, relevant keywords and phrases.

• Competency Name: The Pinpoint and marketplace search engines match keywords with the name of the competency you’ve earned.
• “Works With” Products: List the specific Microsoft products your application or professional service augments or supports. Make sure you choose the relevant Microsoft “Works With” Products from the drop-down menu in the Dashboard.
• Website URL: If your website URL contains a word that matches a keyword entered into the search engine, this will count towards your search ranking.

The following should not be included in your profile.

• Vague or general statements about what your company does. Include specific details that distinguish your offerings from competitors.
• Marketing jargon or “fluff.” Provide fact based details only.
• Overly technical language. Ensure your profile can be understood by everyone from the office administrator to the owner of the company.
• Statements about your company’s vision or mission. Save these for your company website.
• Detailed descriptions of common customer problems. Customers already know what their problems are. Tell customers what you can do to help them. Speak about the benefits of using your application or service. 

As a Pinpoint partner you gain access to a Partner Dashboard for your specific company. The Dashboard is a personalisation tool that lets you:

• Update your software application and professional service listings (Edit Profiles page).
• List your applications in multiple regions and in multiple languages (Edit Profiles page).
• Get an overview of customer activity on your profile pages (Dashboard page).
• View traffic analytics about your company, software applications and professional services (Analytics page):
  • Visits and page views: see an overview of visits by date range and broken down by category.
  • Internal referrals: see where customers clicked on the Pinpoint site to reach your company, application or service listing.
  • Enquiries: view the number of prospects who click on the Email This Company button.
• Manage your Pinpoint account (Edit Personal Details page).
  Enter your company and contact name so that Pinpoint can link to the company and solution profile information you entered when you joined the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN). If you are affiliated with more than one company, you can choose or change your default company listing for Pinpoint.

If your company details are missing:

It can take up to five business days for any new information you add using the Pinpoint Dashboard to get into the Pinpoint system. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to contact the Pinpoint team if you have any additional questions.

If you are unable to log in:

Check to see if your company is listed on Pinpoint by going to the Pinpoint site and searching for your company name. If your company is already listed on Pinpoint but you are unable to log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard, then your Windows Live ID that you use to access MPN is not currently associated with your company. Click here to learn how you can identify yourself as a member of your company so that you can access your Dashboard.

You can use the Pinpoint Customer Review Template to invite customers to submit reviews on your behalf. Please note:

• Get your customers to describe their experience with you in simple language with relevant information that shows potential customers how you can address their specific needs.
• If you submit false reviews—either on your company’s behalf or to discredit a competitor—your profile will be removed from the Pinpoint site.

Please refer to the Pinpoint Review Guidelines for more information.

You can improve the relevancy of your listings in search results and increase your search rankings by getting your customers to submit honest reviews about their experiences with you. Encourage them to go to the Reviews section of your company’s profile and click on the Submit a Review button.

Submitting false reviews will cause your profile to be delisted. If it is discovered that you have submitted false reviews to make your company look better and improve your search rankings, or that you have posted false reviews to discredit a competitor, your profile will be removed from the Pinpoint site.

The length of time it takes to see your profile on Pinpoint depends on the following scenarios:

For New MPN Members

As a new member of the Microsoft Partner Network, it can take up to three business days for your company information to migrate to the Microsoft Pinpoint Dashboard. Log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard to check the status of your profile, make required changes to your company information, and add application and service listings. Learn more.

Once you've submitted required changes, your Company Overview should publish on Pinpoint within 15 business days.

For Partners Already Published on Pinpoint

If you already have a profile on the Pinpoint website, and you’ve made revisions to your existing profile or added new Application or Service Listings, allow up to 15 business days for your changes to appear.

Listing in Product Marketplaces

If you have indicated through the Pinpoint Dashboard that you want an Application or Service Listing to be published in a product marketplace, allow up to 15 business days for your listing to appear on the product marketplace site.

Listing Internationally

If you are currently listed on Pinpoint in the country or region that your company headquarters is located in, you can list your company and applications or services in another country or region. Learn about getting listed in another language or country.

Allow up to 15 business days for your profile to appear on the Pinpoint site for the new country.

In all scenarios, time to publish may vary for different countries. Learn more about profile publishing times.

If your Application or Service Listing is not showing on Pinpoint or a product marketplace, and you think it should be, check its status by logging into the Pinpoint Dashboard. You can also learn how to resolve issues that can hold up publishing by reading the profile troubleshooting page.

Still have questions? Contact the Pinpoint and marketplace teams.

If your offerings are not appearing in the category search results you think they should appear in, log in to the Pinpoint Dashboard with your Windows Live ID that you use to access MPN and click Edit Profiles. Under the Apps + Services tab, find the listing for the application or service in question, then:

1. In the Actions drop-down menu select View Details.
2. Select Edit Shared Attributes.
3. Select the Application or Professional Service Sub-Types.
4. Select the Relevant Browse Categories.
5. Select the Microsoft Technology Compatibility.
6. Select the Applicable Industries.
7. Select the Platform or Program if necessary.
8. Scroll down and save your modified application or professional service listing.
9. Submit your saved work for validation.

It may take up to 15 business days for your profile changes to appear on Pinpoint.