Microsoft announced three new partner designations – including one aimed at SMB support providers.
The designations are part of Vole’s new partner programme which replaces its Partner Network – went live in October 2022.
Microsoft’s told its 2023 Partner Ecosystem briefing it had acted on partner feedback garnered since launch.
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Programme was designed to simplify life for partners by shelving the 18 Silver and 18 Gold competencies under MPN in favour of six new Solutions designations across Azure, Modern Work, Security and Business Applications. It was aimed at helping its partners better differentiate themselves.
On the briefing call, Julie Sanford, VP, GTM programmes and experiences at Microsoft, revealed that three new designations (or ‘homes’ as she referred to them) are under development and will launch in Microsoft’s fiscal 2024.
“The first is a new home for partners who focus on the support needs of our small and mid-sized customers,” she said.
The two other incoming designations will be for learning partners and ISVs, she added.
When it comes to the wider Cloud Partner Programme, Microsoft has “received significant feedback from across our ecosystem which has resulted in programme changes to better serve our partners”, Sanford said.
Based on partner feedback, the Solutions Partner designation for Business Applications was updated to include paths for enterprise and SMB, she said.
