Microsoft has expanded the list of eligible workloads for the Solutions Partner for Modern Work designation, creating more pathways for partners to qualify and differentiate themselves in the market.

What's Changing?

The Solutions Partner for Modern Work (MW) designation now recognizes a broader range of Microsoft 365 and collaboration workloads, making it easier for partners to achieve and maintain this valuable designation.

Why This Matters

The Solutions Partner for Modern Work designation:

✅ Differentiates you in a competitive marketplace

✅ Unlocks valuable benefits including go-to-market resources and support

✅ Enables specializations in specific Modern Work solution areas

✅ Signals expertise to customers evaluating partners

By expanding eligible workloads, Microsoft is providing more pathways to qualification, recognizing the diverse ways partners deliver Modern Work value.

Complete List of Eligible Workloads

The expanded list now includes:

Core Productivity

- Exchange Online — Email and calendaring
- Microsoft 365 Apps — Office applications
- SharePoint Online — Content management and collaboration

Modern Device Management

- Intune — Mobile device and application management
- Windows 365 — Cloud PCs

Collaboration & Communication

- Teams — Chat, meetings, and collaboration hub
- Teams Apps — Custom Teams applications and integrations
- Teams for Frontline Workers — Specialized frontline worker scenarios
- Teams Meetings — Meeting and webinar capabilities
- Teams Phone — Cloud-based telephony
- Teams Phone Calling — Calling plans and direct routing
- Teams Phone Enabled Users — Phone system deployments
- Teams Rooms Monthly Active Devices — Meeting room solutions

AI & Productivity Enhancement

- Microsoft 365 Copilot — AI-powered productivity assistant

Employee Experience

- Viva Connections — Employee experience platform
- Viva Engage — Community and communication
- Viva Goals — OKR and goal management
- Viva Insights — Productivity and wellbeing analytics
- Viva Learning — Integrated learning platform
- Viva Topics — Knowledge management and discovery

Identity & Security

- Microsoft Entra ID P1 — Identity and access management

Note: Workload availability may vary and is subject to change.

How Partners Benefit

More Qualification Paths

Partners can now demonstrate Modern Work expertise through a wider range of workload deployments, making the designation more accessible.

Recognition for Diverse Practices

Whether you specialize in:
- Frontline worker solutions
- Teams Phone implementations
- Viva employee experience
- Windows 365 deployments
- Microsoft 365 Copilot enablement

...you can now receive credit toward the designation.

Alignment with Market Trends

The expanded list reflects the evolving Modern Work landscape, including:
- AI integration (Microsoft 365 Copilot)
- Employee experience (Viva platform)
- Hybrid work (Teams Rooms, Windows 365)
- Frontline workers (specialized Teams capabilities)

Who Should Apply?

This designation is ideal for partners who:

- Deploy and manage Microsoft 365 workloads
- Implement collaboration and communication solutions
- Drive employee experience initiatives
- Deliver change management and adoption services
- Integrate custom Teams applications
- Support frontline and hybrid work scenarios

Next Steps

1. Review Your Workload Coverage

Assess which eligible workloads you currently deploy, manage, or support for customers.

2. Understand Designation Criteria

Visit the Solutions Partner for Modern Work page to review:

- Performance requirements
- Skilling requirements
- Customer success metrics
- Designation scoring

3. Evaluate Your Qualification Status

Check your current standing in Partner Center to see how the expanded workloads impact your score.

4. Plan Your Path to Designation

If you're not yet qualified, identify which expanded workloads align with your business to accelerate qualification.

Resources

- Solutions Partner for Modern Work — Complete Details - Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Overview - Partner Center Membership Workspace

Source: Microsoft Partner Center Announcements — January 29, 2026