Microsoft Program Announcements
Monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update: What's new for Solutions Partner designations, specialisations, and other offerings and benefits
We’re introducing important capabilities, offers, and updates to improve the way partners can further differentiate their deep technical expertise across a set of priority scenarios with high customer demand.
- Date: May 31, 2024
- Workspace: Membership
- Impacted audience: Partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
What's available now
Solutions Partner* with certified software** designation now generally available
On March 20, we announced the general availability of Solutions Partner* with certified software** designations. For independent software vendors (ISVs), certified software designations provide an opportunity to become Solutions Partners within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and to better connect with customers and to unlock more benefits from Microsoft. These designations differentiate partners’ software solutions in areas of high demand and help customers identify trusted solutions. Solutions Partner* with certified software** designations are available for qualifying cloud software solutions. When partners become a Solutions Partner* with certified software**, they signify to customers that their solution meets technical criteria for interoperability with the Microsoft Cloud and that it demonstrates a proven track record of customer success. All partners can now sign in to Partner Center in the Referrals workspace to check their progress, apply for the designations, and unlock the new benefits.
Infrastructure and migration specialisation audit update for renewing partners
Based on feedback that we received from partners, we adjusted the audit requirements. We also added an alternate path for eligible partners seeking to renew their specialization where an audit is required.
Review the audit checklist for specifics regarding this update. If you have questions regarding the audit, reach out to azureas@microsoft.com.
ISV Success renewal: ISV Success is introducing the renewal of ISV Success benefits effective March 4. A partner can renew another 12 months of ISV Success Build and Publish. The option to renew it will become available to eligible partners 30 days before to the end date of the current benefit package. Eligibility is based on account verification, billing profile creation, and publication status. Eligibility can be confirmed in Partner Center under the Membership offers page. For more details, visit the Partner Center documentation on ISV Success.
What's to come
- An update on the Solutions Partner for Support Services designation: On March 20, we announced in the 2024 State of the Partner Ecosystem, that partners with a Solutions Partner for Support Services designation will soon receive exclusive new benefits. These benefits include paid support agreement pricing and access to a knowledge-based library of curated materials designed to help partners resolve incidents quickly and efficiently, in addition to customer-facing badging. General availability and other details will come later this year.
- SMB paths for Data & AI (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure) and Security: We also announced on March 20 that the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program will soon have small and medium business (SMB) paths for Solutions Partner designations for Data & AI (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), and Security. With the SMB paths launching in a few months, now is the time to start preparing to qualify. Details for the Security SMB path will be released soon. Learn more about the qualifications for the Azure solution areas today.
- Business Central certification in skilling for Business Applications partner capability score: Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Associate certification was introduced in April 2024 and is available to partners now. Any partner who attains or has already attained the certification earns points in the advanced skilling subcategory. We’re delayed in adding the certification to the partner capability score for Business Applications. We’ll provide updates as soon as it’s added to the partner capability score.
- Azure bulk credits modernisation: Partner Center grants Azure credits benefit to partners upon the purchase of partner program offers such as Microsoft Action Pack, Legacy Silver, Legacy Gold, Solutions partner designation, and so on. The current Azure credits benefit redemption process is complex. The modernisation project simplifies the redemption process by eliminating the current process of assigning Azure credits to individuals and instead allowing partners to do a direct deposit of Azure credits on their organisation’s billing account with MCA agreement and billing profile on the new commerce stack.
Reminders
- If you’re renewing an Azure specialisation for the second year, then an audit is required for reenrollment. Review the updated checklist and plan accordingly. You’ll be able to start scheduling your audits 60 days ahead of your anniversary date for the specialisation.
- If you’re renewing your Modern Work specialisation or Security specialisation for the second year, then customer references are required for reenrollment. Please start to prep these references ahead of your anniversary date. You’ll be able to load your customer references into Partner Center 60 days ahead of the anniversary date of the specialisation.
- Microsoft moved all partner program transactions to the new commerce platform. For more details, see Link billing account and profile to Partner Center account.
Next steps
- Visit the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program resources gallery.
- Discover how Solutions Partner designations help showcase your organisation.
- Find information on the requirements for specialisations.
- Review the partner program journey map to navigate the transformational journey dedicated to the following partner program offerings: Solutions Partner designations, specialisations, and expert offerings.