Microsoft Updates AI Cloud Partner Program Extended Qualification Window New Designations and Legacy Benefits

September 26, 2023 Microsoft Partner News

As a leading voice in the tech industry, we at Qloud Blog are excited to bring you the latest updates from Microsoft's AI Cloud Partner Program. This month, Microsoft has introduced several important capabilities, offers, and updates designed to enhance the way partners can further differentiate their deep technical expertise across a set of priority scenarios with high customer demand.

One of the most significant changes is the expansion of the Solutions Partner designation qualification window from 30 days to 180 days. Effective from September 19, 2023, this change allows renewing partners to have a longer qualification window, extending from the five full months prior to their anniversary date, plus the month of the anniversary date. This means that even if a partner's score falls below 70 again before their renewal window, they remain eligible to renew if they qualified at any time within that window. For new partners, the qualification window now begins five months before the day they qualify, plus the month of qualification. Once qualified, new partners have 30 days to enroll. More details on this change can be found in the updated article in the Partner Center.

In the coming months, Microsoft will be introducing the Training Services Partner designation and performance reports in the Partner Center. Expected to be available in early 2024, the Solutions Partner for Training Services designation will be based on a set of Learning Partner requirements in categories such as the number of learners trained, certifications purchased, training delivery quality, and capability across Microsoft solution areas. In Q3 CY 2023, the Training Services partner performance reports will be available to partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.

Last month, Microsoft announced the opening of the limited public preview for the Partner Support Services designation. This preview allows partners to get an early look at the designation and fast-track their qualification when the program is fully available.

Microsoft also reminded partners that legacy benefits are still available to those who held a legacy competency on September 30, 2022. If your legacy benefits expired since October 2022 and you don't have an active benefit kit through a Solutions Partner designation, you can check the Partner Center offers to see if you're eligible to renew your legacy benefits.

Finally, Microsoft highlighted the Business Intelligence (BI) specialization, which allows partners to showcase their experience and success in implementing Power BI to strengthen organizations.

To learn more about these updates, partners can review the Partner capability score in the Partner Center, visit the AI Cloud Partner Program training gallery, discover how Solutions Partner designations can help showcase their organization, find information on the requirements for specialization, and review the journey map to navigate the transformational journey dedicated to Solution Partner designations, specialization, and expert offerings.

Stay tuned to Qloud Blog for more updates on Microsoft's AI Cloud Partner Program and other tech industry news.

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