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Watch Our VideosHome > Services & Support > Support > Resources > Beta Programs
Beta Programs
At MicroStrategy, we continually work to improve our existing products, develop new ones and bring you leading edge technology. Before our software is available to the general public, Beta Participants evaluate new products in their own environments. Beta Participants provide valuable feedback which shapes the future direction of our products.
If you are a current MicroStrategy customer and you want to help shape the next generation of products - the software that will make a difference in your operations - then you have what it takes to be a Beta Participant. Contact Beta Programs today to find out how you can get started.
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Overview
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Choosing Your Participant Level
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FAQ
Beta Participants are in a unique position to learn about and give feedback on MicroStrategy products while they're still in development. You'll give feedback that helps make our software fit your needs and gain valuable insight into the industry's direction... knowledge that will keep you a step ahead.
As a Beta Participant, you will be given access to download each new version of the Beta Product as soon as it is released. You will be asked to install and use the product in your test environment, and provide us with comments on what you like or don't like about any aspect of the product and your experience with it. Further, all Beta Participants will have an opportunity to work with MicroStrategy on Product Launch Activities at the conclusion of the Beta Program.
Beta Customers
EDS
"Being able to ask questions about how the product works and setup issues and being able to watch the field tester interact with the software was very educational. The field tester was very receptive to any questions that I asked about the functionality of the product."
- Gary Meyer, Information Specialist, EDS
Freddie Mac
"Working with the Beta Programs consultant gave us an opportunity to share our wish-list. We really feel that our comments and issues regarding the software were being addressed."
- Phil Redmond, Director of Finance Systems, Freddie Mac
MicroStrategy offers two levels of Beta Program participation to better serve our customers. Beta Participants can be either Beta Partners or Beta Evaluators. Read the descriptions below and use the quick reference table to find out which level of partnership is right for you and your organization.
Beta Partner
At no charge to the customer, MicroStrategy Beta Consultants visit Beta Partners' sites to aid in knowledge transfer, test new product versions and give product demonstrations. As a Beta Partner, you'll work closely with our Beta Consultants and take advantage of our Quality Engineering and Technical Support divisions to find and resolve issues before the software is released. Beta Partners also have the opportunity to log enhancements they would like to see in the software while the Beta Consultant is at their site. Beta Partners can also take this time to review existing issues with the Beta Consultant and determine how they will be solved with the new product version. You'll find that our Beta Consultants' wide-ranging experiences in the testing environment and in real-world applications are a benefit to both your current operations and to your forward-looking initiatives.
Beta Evaluator
If you'd like to preview our newest products with fewer formal testing requirements, consider joining us as a Beta Evaluator. Beta Evaluators test our Beta products and provide us with feedback without being visited by a MicroStrategy Beta Consultant. MicroStrategy Technical Support stays in contact by phone or email to review issues that may arise during testing and to gather comments regarding the product's functionality, feel, and interface.
| Beta Program Details | Beta Evaluator | Beta Partner |
| Download site access to all new versions of the Beta software | ||
| Opportunity to participate in product launch activities | ||
| Technical support through phone and email | ||
| Test products and provide feedback | ||
| Beta Consultants perform site visits at no charge | ||
| Beta Consultants install and test new software in customer test environment | ||
| Beta Consultants log issues and enhancement requests | ||
| Beta Consultants answer product related questions | ||
| Beta Consultants provide demos and presentations on new products | ||
| Beta Consultants provide a link between the customer and MicroStrategy Quality Engineering and Technical Support |
If you are interested in becoming a Beta Participant for an upcoming MicroStrategy Beta Program, please contact your Account Executive for more information or email Beta Programs.
- What are the benefits of participating in Beta Programs?
- What happens after I apply to participate in Beta Programs?
- If I have been a MicroStrategy Beta Participant before, do I still need to apply?
- How do Beta Partners qualify for a specific Beta Program?
- If I do not qualify for a current Beta Program, what happens to my application?
- What feedback do I provide during the Beta test?
- What are the Product Launch Support commitments?
- What if I want to test, but do not want to fulfill all of the formal testing requirements?
- How do I get Beta Software?
- What products are currently in Beta Programs? When will new Beta Programs be announced?
- When will the product that I test be released to the market?
- What do past Beta Partners have to say about the program?
1. What are the benefits of participating in Beta Programs?
Beta Partners have the opportunity to preview new MicroStrategy software before it is released to the market. By testing and providing feedback, you help determine the product's functionality, feel, and interface.
2. What happens after I apply to participate in Beta Programs?
MicroStrategy will review all information to determine the best Beta Partners to test our newest products. Qualified Beta Partners can expect to receive more information on Beta Participants and Beta Evaluators, and a detailed agreement to sign.
3. If I have been a MicroStrategy Beta Participant before, do I need to apply again?
If you have tested recently, you may not need to re-apply. If you are interested in Beta testing another MicroStrategy product, please contact us at BetaPrograms@microstrategy.com. We will review our files and contact you if we need more information.
4. How do Beta Partners qualify for a specific Beta Program?
Beta Partners qualify based on criteria including commitment to testing, availability of testing resources, product launch support, and test environment. Successful Beta Partners from earlier testing programs may have an advantage in the selection process, but all qualified Beta Partners will be considered.
5. What happens if I do not qualify for a current Beta Program?
MicroStrategy will update its records with the information you provided. If you do not qualify for the first round of a Beta Program, you may qualify for a later phase. If you do not qualify to participate in any phase of testing for a product, we may ask you to test a different package. We will review all records in our database before the beginning of each Beta Program to determine the best Beta Partner sites for each Beta Program. By applying for one Beta Program, you increase your chances of participating in future tests.
6. What feedback do I provide during the Beta test?
You will be asked to execute a test suite and answer several questions related to the performance of the product during the tests. We would also appreciate your comments on what you liked or didn't like about the product's functionality, feel, and interface, as well as any other feedback you wish to give.
7. What are the Product Launch Support commitments?
As a Beta Partner, you will have the opportunity to partner with us in our product launch activities by providing insight into product features, effectiveness and adaptability. You will be asked to discuss your business application and how the Beta software fits into your current operations. For each launch there will be different opportunities to support Product Launch efforts. These may include customer interviews, use of your company name and logo, technical references and company quotes. The activities will be tailored to your organization, and all communications will be approved by your company.
8. What if I want to test, but do not want to fulfill all of the formal testing requirements?
If you wish to preview new MicroStrategy software, but cannot commit to full Beta Participation, you may opt to become a Beta Evaluator. Beta Evaluators still need to provide site information and sign a Beta Programs agreement.
9. How do I get Beta Software?
All registered Beta Partners will be given access to appropriate Beta products on the MicroStrategy download site. Beta Partners will also receive products on disk and documentation via overnight shipment upon release.
10. What products are currently in Beta Programs? When will new Beta Programs be announced?
Email Beta Programs to receive a list of upcoming products. Previous Beta Participants are contacted directly at the beginning of new Beta Programs. More information for current Beta Programs can be found on the MicroStrategy Support web site (user ID and password required). Schedules may vary by product and are subject to changes.
11. When will the product that I test be released to the market?
MicroStrategy releases new products to the market after thorough Beta testing. Please email us at BetaPrograms@microstrategy.com for more information.