June 2, 2022

If you already have a Microsoft Silver or Gold Competency or are planning to get one this year, then this is for you. 

Microsoft announced on March 16, 2022, a major change to its partner program, simplifying it to meet customer needs. This new program will replace the old one and will be called Microsoft Cloud Partner Program. It is going to be available from October 3, 2022. 

Introduction to the new program:

(All dates and requirements are subject to change by Microsoft)

Microsoft introduces Solution Partner Designation, anchored on the Microsoft Cloud in six solution areas: 

  1. Data & AI (Azure),  
  1. Infrastructure (Azure),  
  1. Digital & App Innovation (Azure),  
  1. Business Applications,  
  1. Modern Work 
  1. Security. 

And finally, if a partner achieves all 6 designations, he becomes a Microsoft Cloud Partner 

The Solution Partner designation makes it easy to identify partners who have experience in high-demand Microsoft Cloud solution areas and who have delivered successful service delivery to their customer base.  

Microsoft used what customers look for in a partner to define the prerequisites for achieving a Solutions Partner designation: 

  • The customer does not want to be the first customer for the partner he will choose to deploy the solutions: Microsoft will consider the number of new customers added each year. 
  • The customer is looking for a partner who has the technical skills to deploy and support the solutions: Microsoft will consider the technical certifications of the partner’s employees. 
  • The customer wants to do business with a partner who has experience and success with the deployment of these solutions: Microsoft will measure the number of deployments of the solutions and the growth of their usage by customers  

There are five prerequisite categories, and you must acquire a minimum of points per category for a total of 70 points out of 100.  You can’t have 0 point in a category even if you obtain more that 70 points in total.

Benefits specific to each solution partner designation  

For more details on the benefits specific to each Solution Partner designation, please use this link: https://aka.ms/Solutionspartner.Benefits 

Important dates: All dates and requirements are subject to change by Microsoft 

March 16, 2022

  • Microsoft announces plan for new Solution Partner designations. 
  • Partners can check their progress towards achieving designation through the Partner Center. 

September 30, 2022

  • You can no longer achieve a Silver or Gold competency unless you already have it. 
  • Last day to renew your Silver or Gold (legacy) competency 
  • You can no longer use the Silver and Gold badges, but you can keep your benefits. 

October 03 , 2022

  • Solution Partner designations are available. 
  • Partners will be required to meet the prerequisites to obtain a Solutions Partner designation. 
  • No renewal of legacy competency will be possible. 
  • On the renewal date after October 3, 2022, if you have a legacy competency in progress and you meet the prerequisites for a solution partner designation, you can choose between these 2 options: 
  • Option 1 : You pay the fees to obtain the designation of solutions partner (equivalent to those of Gold) 
  • Option 2 : You keep your Silver or Gold competency benefits (legacy) and you pay annual fees (equivalent to Silver or Gold) 
  • On the renewal date after October 3, 2022, if you have a current legacy competency and have not met the prerequisites for a Solution Partner designation, you have the option to continue purchasing legacy benefits. 

Microsoft Incentives Program

If you have a legacy competency, you have the option to continue receiving Microsoft Incentives.

October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023

Option 1 : You earn a Solution Partner designation by meeting the requirements and immediately become eligible for Incentives.

Option 2 : You purchase legacy benefits (benefits you received based on the legacy competency you held as of September 30, 2022). These benefits include Incentives. This option could apply if:

  • The legacy competency is renewed before September 30, 2022.
  • The Solution Partner designation is not achieved. You can continue to be eligible for Incentives until your first renewal dater after September 30, 2022, or later (until October 1, 2023) if you choose to purchase a legacy benefit package on your renewal date.

October 1, 2023

Obtaining a Solutions Partner designation will be required to be eligible for the Incentives. Legacy competencies and Legacy benefits will no longer be recognized as eligible criteria.

Scenario Examples:

Scenario 1 : You have a Silver or Gold competency and your renewal date is September 29, 2022 (before September 30, 2022). You still have the option to renew your competency and keep the benefits you have today including Incentives. As of October 3, you no longer have the rights to use your Silver or Gold badge. If you have met the prerequisites for a solution partner designation, you can use the corresponding badge.

Scenario 2 : You do not have a Silver or Gold competency and you wish to obtain one before September 30, 2022. You still have the opportunity to achieve this competency and benefit from its advantages including Incentives. From October 3, you no longer allowed to use your Silver or Gold badge.

Scenario 3 : You have a Silver or Gold competency and your renewal date is after September 30, 2022. Here are the 3 options available to you:

  • If you have met the prerequisites for a solution partner designation, you can pay the corresponding fees and receive benefits including Incentives.
  • If you have met the prerequisites for a solution partner designation and decide not to pay the corresponding fees. You can then continue to benefit from the advantages of the Silver competence, by paying the equivalent costs of the Silver competence.  You no longer allowed to use your Silver or Gold badge. You will continue to receive your Microsoft Incentives until September 30, 2023.
  • If You have not met the prerequisites for a Solution Partner designation, then you may continue to receive the benefits of the Silver or Gold competency, by paying the equivalent fees. You no allowed to use your Silver or Gold badge. You will continue to receive your Microsoft Incentives until September 30, 2023.

How do you prepare

  1. Track your performance on the Microsoft Partner Center and see what you are missing to achieve a Solution Partner designation.
  2. Decide what you are going to do at the renewal date of your Silver or Gold competency.
  3. Make a plan to achieve the prerequisites of the designation you are interested in.
  4. Prepare your employees to pass the certification exams related to the designation you choose.

Here are some resources:

Solutions Partner (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Infrastructure (Azure) (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Data & AI (Azure) (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Digital & App Innovation (Azure) (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Modern Work (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Security (microsoft.com)

Solutions partner for Business Applications (microsoft.com)

At ITCloud.ca, we are always available to help you.

Don’t miss our presentation on the new program which will take place on June 16, 2022 and register now.

Session in French at 9 AM: Comment vous préparer au nouveau programme de partenariat Microsoft

Session in English at 1 PM: How to prepare for the new Microsoft Partner Program