Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has launched its new Cloud Partner Program. The move aims to help partners create and sell solutions for customers in any scenario and industry.
Details of the programme were announced earlier this year, highlighting that Microsoft hopes to better reflect the transition of business operations to the cloud, and how it intends to support partners.
“We are committed to making the Cloud Partner Program a beneficial place for all partners, whether you build and sell services, software solutions, or devices,” said Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer and corporate vice president of global partner solutions at Microsoft. “Our commitment is to provide you with investments and global reach to differentiate your offering, scale your customer connections, and position for long-term profitability.”
Microsoft will achieve this by offering partners opportunities to develop and sell solutions to customers around the globe, as well as to grow their businesses and expand customer connections. According to Dezen, the programme will also help customers get more from their Microsoft investments to keep them and their customers at the forefront of cloud innovation.
“By choosing to partner with Microsoft, you choose a partnership secured on a strong foundation of trust built over multiple decades,” said Dezen. “The Cloud Partner Program is how we remain accountable to you and your customers. With our combined deep understanding of what businesses need to meet evolving opportunities and drive long-term profitability, we can work together to empower people and organisations everywhere to achieve more.”
Microsoft has outlined new Solutions Partner designations, which will replace silver and gold competencies in six solution areas: Data & AI (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Business Applications, Modern Work, and Security. The firm has also prepared a Training Gallery for partners to access a range of reference materials and has invested in further resources for independent software vendors (ISV) with the ISV Success Program.
“Microsoft partners make more possible,” said Dezen. “Whether you’re building your first app, developing complex integrations, helping customers migrate to the cloud, or exploring new services offerings, we’re here to empower you to achieve more. This evolution of our network was designed to have the most relevant benefits for you, our partners.”