Microsoft has announced significant updates to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, including a new AI-powered marketing platform and changes to specializations and Solutions Partner designations.
Partner Marketing Center: New AI-Powered Platform
Microsoft is replacing the existing Partner Go-To-Market (GTM) Toolbox with the Partner Marketing Center — a new AI-powered marketing platform designed to accelerate partner go-to-market execution.
Key Features
- AI-driven customization for campaigns and content
- Automated campaign activation aligned to solution plays
- Real-time performance tracking with actionable insights
- Launch campaigns in minutes instead of hours or days
Availability
- Launch date: February 13, 2026
- Automatic upgrade: All partners currently using GTM Toolbox will be transitioned automatically
- Provisioning delay: 24 hours after offer purchase
Consolidated Benefits
The following free MAICPP benefits are now consolidated into a single experience under Partner Marketing Center – Downloadable Marketing Campaigns:
- Digital Marketing Content OnDemand (DMC)
- Geo Expansion Readiness Assessment
Specialization Updates
SAP on Microsoft Azure Specialization
Updated January 16, 2025 — Microsoft has made this specialization more accessible:
- Lower ACR threshold: Reduced from $30,000 to $7,500 (totaled over three months)
- Streamlined skilling validation: Partners can now validate Microsoft learning coursework directly in Partner Center, eliminating third-party audit requirements
- Flexible skilling paths: Meet requirements through either:
- Three individuals passing the Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty certification, OR
- Three individuals completing the Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud learning path
Microsoft Azure VMware Solution Specialization
Updated January 16, 2025 — Simplified requirements:
- Technical Assessment removed: Azure VMware Solutions (AVS) Technical assessment no longer required
- Broadcom Certification removed: Broadcom certification requirements eliminated
Solutions Partner Designation Updates
Modern Work Solutions Partner
Effective February 6, 2025:
- Expanded eligible workloads: More pathways to qualify for and attain the designation
- View the complete list at: Solutions Partner for Modern Work
Customer Growth Calculation Adjustment
Effective February 6, 2025 — For Modern Work and Security Solutions Partner designations:
- Customer growth from the SMB path to the Enterprise path no longer negatively impacts SMB-path performance
- Partners may see increases in:
- Net customer adds
- Deployments
- Usage growth metrics
- Applied automatically — no partner action required
⚠️ Note: This change applies only to Modern Work and Security designations, not Business Applications or Azure designations.
Coming Soon: Rounding Improvements
In mid-February 2026, specialization percentage growth calculations will round to the nearest percent. For example, 34.52% will round to 35%. This will benefit partners pursuing these specializations:
- Microsoft Low Code Application Development
- Intelligent Automation
- Business Intelligence
- Small and Midsize Business Management
- Adoption and Change Management
- Teamwork Deployment
Azure Specializations FAQ
Microsoft has published a comprehensive FAQ in the Specializations overview covering:
- Scheduling guidance
- Eligibility scenarios
- Process stages and expectations
- Common procedural questions
Review the FAQ before submitting support requests to find quick self-service answers.
Source: Microsoft Partner Center Announcements — February 4, 2026