I received a Partner e-mail this morning touting the all new Microsoft Solution Finder to better connect me with customers. That’s good! Heading over to the new search page, I got an immediate sinking feeling that they just made it a lot harder to connect me with customers. There is no option whatsoever to search for Solution Providers by Zip code. Big no-no in my humble opinion. To search for solutions by Zip Code, you need to go to the Advanced Search page, where the user can then search by Zip code.

solutionfinderbasic 

 

 

 Here is where it all falls apart.

If I search for the Zip code where my business is registered, I turn up on page 3 of the Partners tab behind all the Gold and Certified Partners. Not bad, just what I’d expect. Being a solo businessman, I fully expect to be listed behind the big players.

Now, if I search for the next zip code over from me, I can be found on page 22 behind such Microsoft solution providing powerhouses as the YMCA, a Bail bondsman, tons of CPA’s (no way to tell if they’re MPAN cert’d or not) and just plain person names with no profile listed whatsoever. I think it would be pretty easy to tell which “registered members” are just using the Partner Program to get basically free software for their own use with no intention whatsoever of using it to provide Microsoft based solutions to customers.

The new Solution Finder pretty much stinks. On the old one, it sorted results by qualifications so I could be found on Page 2 no matter what zip code was searched for on the island. Now, it weights the results on location, qualifications be damned. I’m sure Mr. Bail Bondsman would gladly setup a SBS Box for your new company!

I also came across Chris’ rant on the new finder over at welcome to the funcave regarding the same thing. There are probably more to be found out there.

Update: Tim Long weighs in with his take on the matter.

Tags: