The Microsoft Partner Network has more than 400,000 global organizations and
they help Microsoft in delivering its products and services to customers around the world. Microsoft today announced major changes to its Microsoft Partner Network program. First, Microsoft is changing the name from “Microsoft Partner Network” to the “Microsoft Cloud Partner Program.” And this program is focused on proficiency in the following six solution
areas:
- Data & AI (Azure)
- Infrastructure (Azure)
- Digital & App Innovation (Azure)
- Business Applications
- Modern Work
- Security
Based on the partner’s capabilities, there will be two qualifying levels:
- The solutions partner level is a designation that is based on meeting specific
requirements across what we call the partner capability score (see below) for each
solution area. - Specializations and expert programs will give solutions partners a way to differentiate their organizations and demonstrate deep technical expertise and experience in specific technical scenarios under each solution area.
The above new partner program changes will come into effect from October 2022. Microsoft is also updating the benefits for the partners, read about them below.
- Partners will be able to renew the benefits they’re currently using, while also taking
advantage of new benefits packages customized to meet their unique needs based on
their business focus. - Partners will continue to receive internal use rights licenses (IURs), including on-premises licenses, cloud service subscriptions, and Azure credits, although IURs will be now called “Product Benefits”.
- No partner’s incentive eligibility will change in the 2023 investments and incentives
program year, which runs from October 2022 to September 2023.
You can learn more about the changes here.
