As a part of Microsofts investment in the cloud as a strategic lever for innovation and growth, and as a reflection of their continued commitment to partners, Microsoft is changing the name of their partner program from “Microsoft Partner Network” to the “Microsoft Cloud Partner Program”, effective October 2022.
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 partners’ go-to-market motions with the way customers buy today.
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program is for all partners in the ecosystem, whether they build and sell services, software solutions or devices, and is focused on proficiency in six solution areas or designations, aligned with the Microsoft Cloud:
By attaining these designations, you can demonstrate your organization’s capabilities in delivering customer success in the solution areas.
Investment in partner growth and success requires a robust, objective measurement of progress against a partner’s chosen solution areas. As noted above, to quantify that progress, Microsoft has developed the partner capability score, a holistic framework for measuring partner performance, skilling and customer success. The partner capability score evaluates a partner based on:
To attain a solutions partner designation, partners will need to earn a partner capability score of at least 70 points (out of an available 100 points) across the four measurement areas.
The Solution Partner level is a qualification based on the fulfilment of specific requirements across what it’s called the partner capability score (see below) for each solution area. Success is measured by performance, skilling, and customer success. Specializations (currently called advanced specializations) and expert programs will continue to be a way to further differentiate your organization, demonstrating your deep technical expertise and experience in specific technical scenarios aligned to the solutions areas.
Learn more about advanced specializations, their benefits, and unique requirements on the Microsoft Partner Specialization page and on the Partner Center page. To apply for these specializations and check their status, follow this guide.
For more information on the evolution of the program, download the Overview deck: “Explore details about the program guide” below.
Microsoft understands that these updates may require you to adjust your business plans, and remind you that these changes aren’t immediate. Here you can find the key dates and summary actions of the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program:
It is clear that in the new Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, certifications are a major pilar. To support you as a partner in your enrollment in the MCPP, we have engaged a partnership with @TheAcademy, granting you immediate access to a wide range of certification trainings. Furthermore, as a Copaco Cloud Partner, we are able to offer you a nice discount as well!
This is a series of webinars that is organised on a monthly basis. Goal of this series is to inform the Microsoft Belux partner channel about the changes related to INcentives, Programs & High-Level technology updats that are relevant in order to support the SMB or Enterprise/Corporate customer segements.