Check out these top stories for the latest news of the week for Microsoft partners in the Americas.
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April is the month dedicated to celebrating families at Microsoft. This month and throughout the year we strive to empower families, encouraging work-life balance and strengthening connections with our partners, who are integral to the diverse Microsoft family.
Join the US Partner Insider call on May 3 at 10:00 AM PT. You’ll learn How to Win with Win Formulas from our Microsoft experts Rodel Alejo and Diana Ishak. Register for the Insider call.
Now available: The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Playbook, a comprehensive guide created to help you navigate the Program and grow within it. Download the Playbook today!
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Modern Work and Security
SECURITY FOR SMB PARTNER SALES ASSETS
Flexible, remote work is here to stay, and with it come security challenges for SMBs. They need comprehensive, simple, and cost-effective security solutions, but most don’t have the skills in-house. Use these new marketing assets to reach your customers with security solutions powered by Microsoft 365 and Azure:
NEW INNOVATIONS TOWARD SECURING SMBs
Microsoft has made major strides in simplifying the comprehensive security approach with Defender for Business. Updates include:
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- Simplified insights with improved security summaries to help customers better understand how secure they are across identity, devices, information, and apps. The report shows threats prevented by Defender for Business, current status from Microsoft Secure Score, and recommendations—all designed to help customers increase security in key areas.
- Protect mobile devices without the need for device management or add-ons by using new capabilities built into a single integrated Defender for Business experience. The standalone device security solution now includes a preview release of mobile threat defense that provides iOS and Android devices with OS-level threat and vulnerability management, web protection, and app security to help customers stay secure on the go.
Read this blog to learn more about these updates.
INTRODUCING MICROSOFT 365 COPILOT
Microsoft recently announced the private preview of Microsoft 365 Copilot – your copilot for work. Copilot combines into a single system the power of next-generation AI, the richness of your data—your calendar, emails, chats, documents, meetings, and more—in the Microsoft Graph, and the Microsoft 365 apps that you use every day. And it does so within our existing commitments to data security and privacy in the enterprise. Read this blog to learn more.
INTRODUCING THE NEW MICROSOFT SURFACE FOR BUSINESS
Microsoft Surface has just added a new accessory to our portfolio, the Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock for Business. This is our first dock enabled with a Thunderbolt port, as we continue to work towards connecting and delivering information faster and easier than ever.
Learn more about the Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock and all available assets. If you have additional product questions, reach out to your Surface Champ.
EXPLORE SAVINGS ON SURFACE DEVICES WITH NEW Q4 PROMOS
We’re excited to share new promotional offers to support your Surface sales for FY23 Q4! Now through May 31, 2023, you can take advantage of savings of up to:
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- $250 on Surface Laptop 5
- $270 on Surface Pro 9
- $375 on Surface Laptop Studio
- 20 percent on select Teams Certified Audio Accessories
See full offer details.
Q4 MICROSOFT 365 BUSINESS PREMIUM LOCAL ACCELERATOR
Eligible Partners: Microsoft CSP Direct Providers and Indirect Resellers
Wrap up the fiscal year strong by taking advantage of this exciting offer for Microsoft 365 Business Premium to grow sales! The Q4 offer is now available. To keep the growth momentum and continue motivating customer transition to our new commerce experience (NCE), partners can continue to earn 5 percent in addition to the 2.5 percent promotional offer on every Microsoft 365 Business Premium seat in NCE. Learn more about this offer.
Azure
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE $800M+ WINDOWS SERVER / SQL SERVER OPPORTUNITY IN THE US!
Did you know that according to our CloudAscent data, we have an $800M+ total addressable market with SMB + SMC-Scale customers in the United States today? Take advantage of the opportunity by downloading your personalized CloudAscent Data, leveraging our Data Migration and Modernization BOM. And take our sales and technical training to learn how to help your customers migrate today.
Business Applications
NEW SMB POWER APPS MESSAGING AND PITCH DECK
Access the new SMB Power Apps messaging and pitch deck on the Biz Apps Hub, designed to help partners create content that will enhance customer conversations.
NEW BUSINESS APPLICATIONS SPECIALIZATIONS AND REDUCED SMB THRESHHOLD
Four new specializations to showcase your Microsoft Cloud expertise have been added to our Solutions Partner designation. These new specializations reflect our commitment to the continued evolution of our partner program by providing you with a comprehensive portfolio of options across Business Applications solutions areas. Based on partner feedback, we’ve also made changes in the SMB track (lower threshold) to make earning points toward your Solutions Partner for Business Applications designation more attainable. Read this blog on the Dynamics 365 Partner Portal to learn more.
LOW-CODE PLAYBOOK
Two new resources are now available to help partners accelerate developing a practice around the low-code opportunity with Power Platform. Check out the playbook and the partner opportunity deck for practice development guidance in alignment to the Accelerate Innovation with Low Code solution play.
COPILOT IN MICROSOFT VIVA SALES
Check out this short video and then go to the Microsoft Transform site to download the pitch deck. To learn more, read these blogs:
Black Partner Growth Initiative
INNOVATION TOUR FORUMS
In partnership with the Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA), the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) is continuing its FY23 Innovation Tour Forums. Forum workshops are being hosted in various cities for partners enrolled in BPGI, focusing on several partner development topics. Tell others about this opportunity or register for a Forum today!
Learn more and register here for an Innovation Forum.
Read our new blog.
Demand Gen
OPTIMIZE YOUR MICROSOFT APPSOURCE AND AZURE MARKETPLACE LISTING TO REACH MORE CUSTOMERS, FASTER!
Your Microsoft AppSource and Azure Marketplace listing is the digital “storefront” that connects you with customers who can try, buy, and deploy your applications and services. Optimizing your Marketplace listing can drive increased traffic to your offers, convert more visitors into prospects, and close more deals. Learn how with the Microsoft AppSource & Azure Marketplace Best Practices Guide.
Enabling an Inclusive Economy
GROW WITH THE MARKETPLACE BUILT FOR INCLUSION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
Customers are increasing their focus on diversity and sustainability in supply chains, aligned with their purpose and values. Microsoft is committed to assisting partners in finding the right customer relationships to help them grow their businesses.
Is your company a diverse or minority-owned business? Are you developing an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) solution?
Watch the recording of a community event held April 19, 2023, where Microsoft leaders and engineers discuss how to maximize your market opportunity and expand your influence.
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- Learn about opportunities for social value procurement and supplier diversity.
- Get advice on how to raise your profile as a social impact or diverse business.
- Receive technical help on how to activate the Microsoft commercial marketplace as a channel of distribution.
WHY WINNING NON-BUYERS IS THE KEY PATH TO BRAND GROWTH
Non-buyers, or those who aren’t buying from you (yet), represent the largest potential upside to growing your brand. So, why is winning non-buyers so important? Learn more in our latest article from the LinkedIn B2B Institute, a think tank researching new approaches to B2B growth.
Transformation
UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MICROSOFT CLOUD PARTNER PROGRAM MEANS TO YOU
Eligible Partners: All
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program is focused on simplifying partner programs, delivering greater customer value, investing in your growth in new ways, and recognizing how you deliver customer value.
Read this blog for guidance on what you need to learn, what to assess, and how to prepare to activate the changes ahead; and continue to leverage the following resources to grow within the Program:
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- Unlock the possibilities and learn how to accelerate your business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Playbook. As a comprehensive guide, the Playbook gives you an overview of the Program, its requirements, benefits, and Partner incentives to help you take the next steps.
- Join the conversation between Microsoft and other US partners through your journey to the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program.
- Visit the training gallery for the resources you need to learn more about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, including Solutions Partner designations, benefits, capability score, Partner Center dashboard, and frequently asked questions.
Have questions or need support with MCPP? Create a request in Partner Center.
CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE THE NEW COMMERCE EXPERIENCE PROMOS VALID UNTIL JUNE 30
Eligible Partners: Microsoft CSP Direct Providers, Indirect Providers, and Indirect Resellers
The Microsoft 365 SMB New Customer, Upsell, and CSP legacy to CSP new commerce renewal and the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform New Customer and CSP legacy to CSP new commerce renewal promotions provide up to a 16.67 percent discount to new Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 and Power Platform customers; existing Microsoft 365 customers upgrading to a more premium product; and Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 customers on legacy CSP that are migrating to NCE. The promotion allows customers to start with a low-risk monthly subscription across the Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 and Power Platform products offered in the promotion.
These offers are valid until June 30, 2023. Download the Global Promotions Readiness Guide for details.
STAY UPDATED ON THE NEW COMMERCE EXPERIENCE FOR CLOUD SOLUTION PROVIDERS (CSP)
Eligible Partners: Microsoft CSP Direct Providers, Indirect Providers, and Indirect Resellers
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- Visit the readiness gallery to view the latest CSP launch updates.
- Watch the recording of the April 19 CSP Partner Community Call. The monthly Q&A session provides you with an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about changes affecting the program.
- Register here for the May 3 CSP Technical Training. These sessions are designed to assist CSP Partners with technical implementation of change. Partners can expect to learn more about how to implement changes, get answers to technical questions, and learn more API changes available in sandbox.
Have questions or need support with NCE? Create a request in Partner Center.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A SECURITY STRATEGY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Cybersecurity continues to be one of the top challenges of our digital age, and Microsoft partners play a key role in securing cloud transformations around the world. As part of a proactive, integrated Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity, Microsoft will update the way administrative privileges are managed between customer and partners in the CSP program.
Today’s organizations need a new security model that more effectively adapts to the complexity of the modern environment, embraces the hybrid workplace, and protects people, devices, apps, and data wherever they are located. The Zero Trust framework is a highly effective security model that assumes all activity—even by trusted users—could be a breach.
Strengthen your security posture and navigate the evolving threat landscape with Microsoft cybersecurity tools and resources, including the technical training “Security Through the lens of Zero Trust” that’s recommended to all Microsoft partners.
Learn more about the steps you need to take today to help secure the partner ecosystem, as well as upcoming milestones and updates in this Partner Center announcement.
Have questions? Join these weekly Q&A sessions on security-related changes to the CSP program.
Voices for Innovation
UNDERSTANDING OUR NATION’S CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
Last month, the White House released its National Cybersecurity Strategy, which is focused on defending critical infrastructure, disrupting threat actors, and fostering a collaborative cybersecurity ecosystem. Microsoft and the partner community have a critical role to play in advancing our nation’s cybersecurity. As Microsoft cybersecurity leader Tom Burt makes clear in a recent policy blog, “Collaboration is crucial to strengthening cybersecurity”.
Voices for Innovation—the tech advocacy organization for Microsoft partners—will continue to keep our members informed about developments in cybersecurity policy and other key tech policy issues. Learn more and join our email list today.
Partner Resources
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- SMB Plays-in-a-Box (PiBs) have been updated for FY23! PiBs bring together capacity and enablement, go-to-market, and co-selling resources by solution area. Each PiB provides the tools you need to help your customers with their digital transformation. Learn more about SMB PiBs and get started today!
- Microsoft is a national member of the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA). The SBDA provides small businesses with free tools, training, networking, and other resources—the keys to helping you innovate, grow, and succeed. Learn more and get started today!
- Microsoft Cloud Partner Program provides the resources to help you stay engaged with your customers and take your business to the next level. Get the latest partner resources and news tailored to our US partners.
Join Us (Events and Activities)
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- Register for upcoming and on-demand Partner Academy webinars, designed to help you have richer conversations with your customers.
- Check out the revamped Partner Training Calendar and register for upcoming trainings. Filter by solution area or solution play, among other options, to choose the readiness activities that will accelerate your Microsoft skills.
- Partner Investments office hours. Join these weekly calls to learn about our investment offers and incentive programs. Register here for an upcoming call or watch on demand.
For more upcoming events, see the May 2023 Hot Sheet.
