>>>I am now certain that MSDN is a suitable (though significantly more expensive) alternative to VS.
>>
>>Here's the angle. Get you boss to cough up $100US*2 to get 2 people certified in an MS product and you can become a MCSP which includes the MSDN universal for $1395US. MSDN Universal costs hmmm about $2000US-$2500
>
>Doesn't MSP stgatus require more than MCP status - as I remember it, you need MCSDs, MCDBAs or MCSEs, not just MCPs.

It looks like there are two levels, the lower level is below:
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Have at least (2) two exclusive Microsoft Certified Professionals, each of whom may be a:
Microsoft® Certified Professional (MCP) or
Microsoft® Certified Trainer (MCT) or
Microsoft® Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) or
Microsoft® Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or
Microsoft® Certified Database Administrator
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