Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Introduces New Capabilities Updates and Specializations

September 19, 2024 Microsoft Partner News

The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program has recently introduced several important capabilities, offers, and updates to enhance the way partners can differentiate their deep technical expertise across a set of priority scenarios with high customer demand. These updates are designed to provide more benefits for eligible Solutions Partners with certified software designations.

One of the key updates is the addition of the Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Associate certification to the partner capability score in June for Business Applications. Any partner who attains or has already attained the certification will earn points in the advanced skilling subcategory.

Starting January 22, 2025, Microsoft will introduce more than 20 in-demand product licenses, including Microsoft Copilot products, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Microsoft GitHub Enterprise. These new benefits are designed to streamline tasks, enhance creativity, and drive efficiency across businesses. Partners can access these benefits by purchasing partner benefits packages, Solutions Partner designations, or specializations.

As part of this transition, Microsoft will no longer sell the Microsoft Action Pack, Learning Action Pack, and legacy silver/gold benefits on January 22, 2025. Partners with existing benefits can renew them until January 21, 2025, and keep them until they expire one year later. To continue receiving benefits, partners are encouraged to purchase new partner benefits packages or attain Solutions Partner designations.

The Skilling requirements for several specializations, including Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Business Intelligence, Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure, Teamwork Deployment, and Supply Chain, have been updated. These changes went live in July 2024, and partners currently enrolled in these specializations will be given a grace period until December 31, 2024, to meet these new knowledge criteria.

In the first half of 2025, Microsoft will unveil a unified specialization that integrates the strengths of both the Analytics on Microsoft Azure and Data Warehouse Migration specializations. This consolidation is a strategic move to meet customer expectations more effectively and leverage the synergies between the two previously separate specializations.

Starting September 2024, the Performance requirements for several specializations, including Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure, and AI and Machine Learning in Microsoft Azure, have been updated to include Microsoft Fabric.

In conclusion, these updates and new offerings underscore Microsoft's ongoing dedication to providing exceptional, distinct value to our partners and customers, and to maintaining our position as a leader in the market. Partners are encouraged to visit the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program resources gallery, discover how Solutions Partner designations can help showcase their organization, find information on the requirements for specializations, and review the partner program journey map to navigate the transformational journey dedicated to the following partner program offerings: Solutions Partner designations, specializations, and expert offerings.

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