70-240 not "accepted" toward MS partnership competencies?

I'm trying to cater a little to the PHBs that think MS certified parters are
where its at and my little consulting biz is trying to get its MS partnership
with the Advanced Infrastructure area. I've done all the BS paperwork and
client references, etc. but still don't quailfy based on certification... My
new guy is all MCSE 2K with the individual tests... but myself - having been
doing this a couple of years, and only taking tests when absolutely
necessary- I only have an NT4 MCSE and have taken and passed the 70-240,
which supposedly takes care of my 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217 tests...
right?
BUT... Even though the requirements have 210, 216, 215, and 217 on them...
my 240 doesn't qualify... wtf?

Thinking this would have had to pop up on someone's radar... I googled and
found nothing... Has anyone else expereinced this? If so, who's a$$ did you
have to kiss\kick to get an exception made? Calls and emails to MS partnering
result in form responses and referals to the certification folks... utter b.s.

Thanks,
Nate

 

If you're wanting a MCSE in 2000, you still need a design test: 70-219,
70-220, 70-221 and two electives.

 

Yep... I'm pretty familiar with the requirements for the MCSE2K... but why
should I get an MCSE2K when my current certs should qualify my biz for
partnership? Its just the principal of the matter really.... I just think
its BS and wondered if anyone else has had this problem...

 

I have to keep my certifications current for our partnership requirements,
but I work for a CPLS.

 

I think you will also find the requirements for the certified partner vs
the gold partner are very different and if you want the top level of the
partner program, you wil need to go through more hoops. You should also
consider upgrading your cert to 2k3. truth is more the more hooks you put
in the water, the more chance one will get a bite. So cast a wider net...

 

Yep. I hear where you are coming from and that is on my TO DO list...
However... the minimum partner requirements specify that you need to have a
premium certification (i.e. MCSE). My MCSE on NT4 should qualify... They
haven't expired it (yet)...
The real issue here is that 70-240 doesn't hold the same weight as the
individual tests it replaces! So if you busted your a$$ to pass that
gruelling 4 hour exam, you are out of luck when it comes to using that for
partnership criteria. Extremely lame in my opinion...

Again, my original request still applies... Has anyone that HAS taken the
70-240 been in this spot before, and if so did you get a resolution?

Thanks,
Nate