Artificial intelligence is a defining technology of our time. Over the past year we\u2019ve begun to see how it can unlock profound possibilities for individuals, organizations and society \u2014 and it\u2019s clear that we have only scratched the surface.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For Microsoft and our partners across industries, AI offers a generational moment to reimagine the capabilities that software and services can provide. Our goal at Microsoft is to innovate and democratize our breakthroughs in AI \u2014 and the opportunity for partners is far greater than the sum of AI technologies themselves.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For this <\/span>State of the Partner Ecosystem <\/span><\/b>moment, we\u2019ll share how partners are seizing the opportunities that AI offers and making its promise real for organizations across the world.<\/span> We\u2019ll highlight partners who are building AI-powered solutions to innovate across industries, including three partners who are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n First, we\u2019ll look at how Microsoft is empowering our partners to innovate, build and differentiate with AI through a combination of technology advancements, an industry leading partner program and true market differentiation. During this time of AI transformation, there has never been a greater time to be a Microsoft partner, and our partners are fully embracing this new opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n Microsoft is driving innovation in generative AI, with new Azure OpenAI Services and an expanding portfolio of Copilot offerings. Today, we offer the most comprehensive commercial portfolio in the market with AI infused everywhere from the cloud to the edge, and across every solution area.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Partners can tap into all this innovation through the <\/span>Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program<\/span><\/a>. Through <\/span>research, partnership, and new investments, we are bringing partners the capabilities and benefits to help them empower customers of every size, in every industry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Just as AI capabilities are infused throughout our technology portfolio, AI benefits are wired throughout the partner program. And t<\/span>oday we are announcing enhancements to enable partners to create an AI-powered future, including:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This builds on the incredible momentum we\u2019ve seen since we announced the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program last July. In fact, <\/span>the Microsoft AI Transformation Partner Playbook outlining new possibilities with AI has been downloaded over 35,000 times. Our free g<\/span>o-to-market asset, the Era of AI marketing campaign-in-a-box, has been downloaded over 13,250 times.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n T<\/span>oday more than 13,000\u202fpartners building solutions with\u202fMicrosoft Azure AI, serving more than 53,000 customers with generative AI capabilities alone. Our partner ecosystem is rising to meet demand with a nearly 250 percent\u202fincrease\u202fin\u202fthe number of generative AI-related partners in the past eight months.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When you add that up, it points to a year of exponential innovation and growth for partners, and we are continuing to develop new ways to support this growth curve. Here are some specifics on the updates we are making to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program in the coming months.<\/span><\/p>\n Solutions partner designations and specializations are one way we help partners differentiate themselves in the market. <\/span>Designations and certifications help to verify skills and validate the effectiveness of solutions so customers can find the partner and technology that\u2019s right for their needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To obtain designations and specializations, partners must meet skilling and performance requirements, and provide customer evidence to demonstrate their capabilities \u2014 and partners have embraced this opportunity with Microsoft AI. We have seen 58 percent growth since last July in partner designations for Azure Data and AI solutions, and 172 percent growth in partner specializations for the Build and Modernize AI apps with Azure and AI and Machine Learning designations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To build on this momentum, today we are announcing several new designations for partners across software, services and training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A new set of designations for partners who develop software: Solutions Partner with certified\u202fsoftware<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, we are pleased to announce the general availability of Solutions Partner[i]<\/span>\u00a0with certified software[ii]<\/span>\u00a0designations. Certified software designations provide an opportunity to better connect with customers and to unlock additional benefits from Microsoft.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By becoming a Solutions Partner with certified software, partners can differentiate their solution, increase their discoverability in the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace, connect with more customers, and take advantage of marketing and branding resources designed to help accelerate revenue growth in a rapidly expanding market.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are two pathways to become a Solutions Partner with certified software: <\/span>solution areas<\/span><\/b> and <\/span>Industry AI<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More than 75 partners with solutions across all five industries and from around the world have participated in the public preview of the designation, including Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Ireland, India, Canada and the United States. There are 49 solutions currently certified with an additional 27 in progress.<\/span><\/p>\n New Training Services Solutions Partner\u202fdesignations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We are also releasing new designations for partners who provide training services. Starting April 10, partners who qualify for Solutions Partner for Training Services designations will be able to complete enrollment.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Qualified partners will receive designation-specific badges distinguishing their services from other partner types within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. These badges greatly enhance customer discoverability, making it easier for them to identify partners with unique expertise and a proven track record of delivery quality training.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New Small and Medium Business (SMB) paths for Azure and\u202fSecurity Solutions Partner\u202fdesignations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Based on partner feedback, we are\u202finvesting in our small- and mid-sized business ecosystem and\u202fcreating a pathway for partners who focus on delivering solutions for SMB customers across Azure Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure and Security.\u00a0 Later this year, we will\u202fintroduce dedicated SMB paths for\u202fSolutions Partner designations for Azure\u200b and Security, adding to our existing SMB paths for Business Applications and Modern Work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For partners who serve smaller businesses, this creates an exciting new opportunity \u2014 a new way to qualify for existing Solutions Partner designations, giving more partners access to the products, go-to-market resources, support, and advisory benefits that come with these designations. The new SMB paths will differentiate partners who can meet customer needs and drive customer success by validating those partners\u2019 capabilities in our Azure and Security solution areas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additional details for the SMB paths for Azure and Security will be available in the coming weeks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An update on the Support Services\u202fSolutions Partner designation\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today we are announcing that partners with a Solutions Partner for Support Services designation will soon receive exclusive new benefits, including paid support agreement pricing and access to a knowledge-based library of curated materials designed to help partners resolve incidents quickly and efficiently, in addition to customer-facing badging. General availability and more details will come later this year.<\/span><\/p>\n Rapid innovation with AI technology has created an increased demand for partner skilling for both pre-sales and technical roles. Responding to partner feedback, we have launched a breadth of Microsoft AI-focused skilling workshops, boot camps and training events. Since July 2023, more than 350,000 partner personnel have also become skilled pre-sales and technical depth learners for Microsoft AI, Copilot and Fabric.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Microsoft AI partner training roadshow<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In March, we launched an in-person training series called the Microsoft AI Partner Training Roadshow to target six cities globally through June, across India, the Bay Area, Germany, Japan and Brazil. Our inaugural event in India had 1,500 attendees from 40 partner organizations with 96 percent of participants agreeing that the event was valuable and 94 percent indicating they gained new skills to be successful in their roles. The roadshow is focused on in-person training on AI, targeting 270 partner organizations, and includes a keynote session highlighting the unique value of Microsoft AI, Fabric and Copilot for Microsoft 365, followed by a sales excellence and technical excellence tracks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Copilot for Security upcoming release and partner skilling<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To support our partners and customers in securing their businesses, we are excited to announce the\u202f<\/span>general availability of Microsoft Copilot for Security<\/span><\/a>\u202fin all commerce channels, including Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) channel, on April 1, 2024. We initiated an active\u202f<\/span>Copilot for Security partner community<\/span><\/a>\u202fat Inspire last year, which has since grown to more than 1,000 participants. Over the past six months, Microsoft has engaged with more than 100 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in a\u202f<\/span>Copilot for Security Partner private preview<\/span><\/a>. Upcoming security skilling events include:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New AI skilling for sales\/pre-sales and technical depth\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New Partner Benefits<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On Jan. 22, Microsoft <\/span>launched three new <\/span>benefits packages<\/span><\/a>:\u202fPartner Launch Benefits,\u202fPartner Success Core Benefits\u202fand Partner Success Expanded Benefits.\u202fPurpose-built to meet the varied needs of partners at different stages of growth <\/span>and help partners scale their business through a portfolio of key Microsoft benefits, the packages are available for purchase at a significant discount for partners<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These refreshed benefits follow partners through every element of the partner journey: from creating their solutions, to go-to-market, to differentiating <\/span>their organizations in the marketplace<\/span>. Beyond the three new packages, partners can continue to pursue Solutions Partner designations and specializations to differentiate their organizations in the Microsoft\u00a0 Commercial Marketplace and access additional product and support benefits. Partners who develop software IP can also tap into ISV Success, a collection of resources that help accelerate software solution development and amplify sales.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The feedback on the new packages has been incredibly positive, and we continue to listen to partner feedback and explore new ways to invest in our partners.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Update on Copilot for Cloud Solution Providers\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On Jan. 16, Copilot for Microsoft 365 became <\/span>generally available<\/span><\/a> across all sales channels, including through our Cloud Solution Providers. <\/span>General availability of Copilot for M365<\/span><\/a> opened a wealth of immediate opportunities for partners to deliver end-to-end services to help customers achieve a smooth transition into an AI-powered organization.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Unprecedented momentum: the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/h3>\nProgram updates, including new designations and certifications for partners<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Equipping partners through AI skilling\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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