Get Familiar with Microsoft’s New Partner Cloud Competencies

  • Article

kophs_headshot

Michael Kophs
Partner Technology Strategist

Partners,

If you attended WPC in D.C. or have had a conversation with your partner contact at Microsoft recently, then you know that Microsoft is in the process of transforming to a “Cloud First” model.  Of course, this type of significant change means inevitable changes are coming to the Microsoft partner programs and competencies.  The new cloud programs align with the familiar MPN “Silver and Gold” competency structure, which will simplify your understanding of the partnership level that you currently have and where you should aspire to be based on your overall cloud goals. 

Below you will find a summary of the changes announced a few weeks ago at WPC.  For more information, please see the resource links at the bottom of this page.

I am convinced now more than ever that transformative cloud offerings like Office 365, Azure, Intune and CRM Online have opened the doors to more potential customers and long term customer relationships than any previous technology throughout Microsoft’s history!   Make sure you are positioned to take advantage of all the benefits and resources that Microsoft has to offer.  Good luck and happy selling!

image

 

image

Partner Transition Summary:

image 

image

 

image

New cloud performance competencies for Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure will be available to partners in September 2014:

· Small Midmarket Cloud Solutions competency – focus on Office 365 for SMB customers

· Cloud Productivity competency – focus on Office 365 for enterprise customers

· Cloud Platform competency – focus on infrastructure and software as a service solutions built on Microsoft Azure