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FastTrack Ready Partner "Heads Up" October 18, 2021

Heads Up FastTrack Ready Partners
October 18, 2021
New FRP resources and training, FRP PowerBI Dashboard data freeze, Windows 11 FastTrack support, Microsoft Secure Score


Awareness Only

Featured training: The Remediation Checklist

Within the FRP Academy in Foundations 104 there is knowledge training on the Remediation Checklist (among many other engaging on-demand learning modules). In coordination with knowledgeable FastTrack Partner Managers, we present four on-demand video modules to prepare partners to utilize the Remediation Checklist in customer engagements.

The Remediation Checklist is not a list of items to checkoff and complete. The checklist is an impactful 1-hour (approximate) conversation with the customer during the Assess Phase/Conduct Technical Assessment Process.

The on-demand videos provide a simulated conversation between partner and customer, providing a role-play example for partners to model and duplicate as they utilize the Remediation Checklist with their customer when they Conduct the Technical Assessment.

Program News

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Awareness only: FRP Power BI Dashboard data freeze

The FRP Power BI Dashboard data refresh is frozen while we migrate to the OSU FY22 data stream. Within the FRP Power BI Dashboard, you will notice a banner confirming the data freeze. Except for Edge, all other report tabs are impacted.

  • Data is accurate and complete through the September 30, 2021 snapshot.
  • Data for October and beyond is targeted to become available beginning November 2021.
  • There is no expected impact to incentive payments.
    • The September snapshot is set - achievements in September will be paid in the next statement to be issued by November 15
    • The data stream maintenance is planned to be complete in advance of the following statement (issued by December 15), which will include October achievements.
  • Regarding data health
    • This tab is included in the freeze and data health is representative of the September 30, 2021 snapshot.
    • We encourage you to take action on out-of-compliance records; however note that updates to the data health will not be reflected until the freeze is released.
    • Partners will not be penalized for the non-compliant data health during this freeze.

Follow the conversation about the FRP Power BI Dashboard Data Freeze on Yammer.

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RFA assignment process - new "Next Steps" email

As shared during the September Partner Community Calls (Americas, Asia, EMEA), upon RFA assignment, the RFA or referral-designated partner contacts will receive an automated email to easily confirm:

  1. Receipt of assignment
  2. Customer contact has been attempted

It’s easy, just 2 clicks!
 
Follow the conversation about the RFA Next Steps email on Yammer.

Workload News

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Windows 11 FastTrack support

With the launch of Windows 11 on October 5, it is important we ensure Enterprise customers who want to make the transition have the support they need from FastTrack. While Windows 11 is a significant change for the end user, from an IT and deployment perspective it resembles a Windows 10 Feature Update. As such, FastTrack's support for Windows 11 is essentially the same as it is for Windows 10.

FastTrack is a key part of that Windows 11 support, and we will update all our tools, training, service descriptions, and reporting in the coming months. Resources have been provided below to address FAQs and provide on-demand training.

With minor exceptions, all FastTrack tooling, reporting, and guidance that references Windows 10 also applies to Windows 11.

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Employee Experience Scenario release with Viva Connections, Insights, and Topics

FastTrack support is beginning for the Employee Experience (EE) Scenario featuring Microsoft Viva (Connections, Insights, Topics). Familiarize yourself with these key resources to learn more about the FastTrack Employee Experience and Microsoft Viva:

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Updated content: Microsoft Secure Score

The Microsoft Secure Score Overview deck is to give customers a deeper dive into Secure Score. Reviewing Secure Score before and after each M365 Defender product deployment (MDE, MDO, MCAS, and MDI) can assist customers continually improve their security posture.

Learn more about the updates to the Microsoft Secure Score guidance during this week’s Partner Community Call.

 Feedback Focus

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Insights Forum updates

We’re pleased to share updates to the Insights Forum which will make it easier to share and be aware of feedback.

  • New email notifications will alert you when your item has received comments or when the status has changed.
  • We have a new status called “Needs votes.” This helps you know which items require more partner input to be prioritized. Our target is to receive a minimum of ten partner votes for these items to elevate priority.

Below are open items that need votes. Please vote for those that you believe deserve priority (note: we don’t expect all partners to vote on all items):

FastTrack Program and FT Benefit

OSU/CPOR - Online Services Usage/Claim Partner of Record

FRP Program Tools and Reporting

Documentation Updates

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Featured new resources

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Terms and Conditions

View the latest Terms and Conditions.

There are no changes to the Terms and Conditions for this edition of the newsletter. Updates from October 1, 2021 include:

  • Added: No Incentives Referral
  • Added: Referral automated “Next Step” email generated for partners response
  • Revised: Maintain an average Overall Satisfaction (OSAT) Score of >85
  • Revised: Reference to Operations Guide updated to Knowledge Articles
  • Revised: Updated Rate Card aligning to FY22.
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FastTrack Playbook

Visit the Playbook Change Log for a complete list of updates.

New resource: FastTrack Tasks List - Spreadsheet (2021-10-06) - Use this spreadsheet to get a complete inventory of the FastTrack Process.

FastTrack Playbook - Employee Experience - Updates include new content that defines the stages for deploying the Employee Experience scenario and guides the responsible roles through the activities for each stage. Links to specific content developed to support execution of those activities are included.

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Service Description

Access the FastTrack Service Description.

  • Will include support of Employee Experience Scenario starting October 20th.

Events and Recordings

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Register today: October FRP Community Call Please join us this week for the October FastTrack Ready Partner Community Call. In addition to important program and workload updates, this month we are featuring a demonstration of the M365 Self-Help and Diagnostics tools. Learn how to run some of the same troubleshooting tools that Microsoft support teams use directly within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Self-help and diagnostic tools enable you to resolve problems and find resources before opening a support case.

As a reminder, FRP events can be accessed on-demand at the same link used to register.

Register today:

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Upcoming events calendar

Click on the links below to register for upcoming events:

FRP-specific events

Other recommended events

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Now available on-demand

Click on the links below to view content on-demand: