If your organization is one of the 400,000 members of Microsoft’s Partner Network (MPN), then you may want to pay close attention to this article related to upcoming changes to your partnership requirements. Microsoft’s partner organization spans over 30 years and is a critical channel to building, selling, supporting and servicing joint customers.
Earlier this year, Microsoft made a formal announcement that changes are forthcoming to MPN starting in October 2022. We encourage each partner to thoroughly review the new program and assess the impact to the respective organization.
Microsoft will be re-branding the “Microsoft Partner Network” to the “Microsoft Cloud Partner Program”. According to Microsoft’s Channel Chief, Rodney Clark, “This announcement is about more than a name; this change better reflects the enormous and ongoing transition of business operations to the cloud, and how Microsoft intends to support partners in the future. It aligns our partners’ go-to-market motions with the way customers buy today.”
Starting in October, Microsoft will be introducing Solution Partner designations to help identify a partner’s broad technical capabilities and experience delivering successful customer outcomes via Microsoft’s cloud solutions. Solution partner designations include: Data & AI (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Business Applications, Modern Work, and Security. Achieving a solution designation will be measured on a point-based system of performance, skilling and customer success. Partners can track their progress against these KPIs in Microsoft Partner Center.
Microsoft has also updated the benefits they provide to partners who achieve a solution designation. This includes product benefits (IURs, cloud licenses, and Azure credits), go-to-market services, customer-facing badges, technical presales and deployment services, technical support, and eligibility to earn incentives. Incremental benefits are available to partners that invest and demonstrate deep technical expertise aligned to the solution areas.
This announcement is about more than a name; this change better reflects the enormous and ongoing transition of business operations to the cloud, and how Microsoft intends to support partners in the future. It aligns our partners’ go-to-market motions with the way customers buy today.
Microsoft Channel Chief
Microsoft has acknowledged it will take time to sunset MPN as partners transition to the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program. However, they encourage partners to familiarize themselves with the program benefits aligned to their partner business strategic plans. Prior to October 2022, there will be no impact to partners’ business or program status – including anniversary dates – and no reduction in benefits. In addition, there will be no changes to partner incentive eligibility in the 2023 investments and incentives program year, which runs from October 2022 to September 2023.
These are important dates for partners to track as part of their onboarding to the new program:
March 16, 2022: Public announcement introducing Solutions Partner designations. Notification that after September 30, 2022, legacy competencies will no longer be valid.
On the partner's first anniversary date after October 3, 2022:
Please note that program details are subject to change and we recommend you refer to Microsoft Partner Center to obtain the latest updates.
Additional Microsoft partner resources:
We will work with you to establish a plan to achieve your Microsoft Cloud Partner Program designations. We will guide you through the process so you can take full advantage of the program benefits.
We will work with you to establish a plan to achieve your Microsoft Cloud Partner Program designations. We will guide you through the process so you can take full advantage of the program benefits.
