Microsoft is currently rebuilding the Partner Program to better reflect on the true status of partners, both to help Partners highlight the actual areas that they specialise in, and help customers connect with partners that they need. Like the Certification program, where we saw a change from the generic certifications (MCSE, MSDBA etc) to more specialist ones (MCITP: Server Admin), this new program will seek to refocus from generalist ‘Partners’ like Certified and Gold Certified to “Certified Partner: Unified Comms”. While nothing is written in stone yet, the program looks a lot tidier for all involved (The catch phase for this is "Evolution, not revolution. The expected transition timeline is around 2011.