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Solutions Partner designations recognize partners who demonstrate deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success delivering Microsoft solutions. Aligned to specific solution areas, designations are designed to help you stand out from the competition and increase your customer reach.
This blog highlights need-to-know information for Microsoft partners interested in learning how to attain designations and specializations in the following solution areas:
| Azure | Modern Work | Certified Software | Security | Business Applications |
Solutions Partner designations have replaced legacy silver/gold competencies. Note that the last day to purchase or renew silver/gold competencies was January 21, 2025. For more information, see the Legacy silver and gold benefits FAQ.
To learn more about the requirements for attaining a Solutions Partner designation, visit the training gallery, the Solutions Partner designations partner page, and this Solutions Partner designations overview.
Introducing SMB paths for Solutions Partner designation for Azure
Available now, the new SMB paths provide a way for partners serving customers in the SMB space to attain a Solutions Partner designation for Azure within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
Azure partners will be assigned to either the SMB or Enterprise path—never both.
Criteria
- SMB path: Partners who are driving less than USD1 million and have 80% or more of their customers in the SMB/SMC segment will qualify on the SMB path.
- Enterprise path: Partners who are driving more than USD1 million or who are driving less than USD1 million and have more than 20% of their customers in the Enterprise segment will qualify on the Enterprise path.
You will see your aligned path in Partner Center and your progress toward attainment for that path only.
Review the Azure SMB paths walking deck for qualification and attainment details for both paths.
If you attain a Solutions Partner designation for Azure via the SMB path, you will be eligible for all relevant benefits and incentives, including any new benefits added to the Solutions Partner designation.
Solutions Partner designation for Modern Work
There are two pathways to attaining a Solutions Partner designation for Modern Work: Enterprise and SMB. To learn more, see these campaign assets and this overview.
The latest partner benefits offerings from the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, including Solutions Partner designation, are designed to help supercharge your business growth. Read the blog Grow your business with updated partner benefits to learn more.
Solutions Partner with certified software designation
There two pathways to attaining a Solutions Partner with certified software designation: solution areas and Industry AI. These designations provide you with differentiation in the market, customer trust, and access to enhanced go-to-market, sales, and marketing benefits.
To achieve a pathway, partners must demonstrate readiness with a transactable offer, a technical review of software, and a demonstrated track record of customer success. Learn more in this overview and follow this learning path.
Solutions Partner designation for Security
Geopolitics, cryptocurrency, and the cloud are reshaping security—and security is shaping the world. Your customers need end-to-end security to serve a hybrid workforce, so we’ve curated resources and sales plays to help you serve the more than 785,000 customers who trust Microsoft Security solutions.
To attain a Solutions Partner designation for Security, your partner capability score for security must meet the qualification requirements. The partner capability score is measured by partner performance, skilling, and customer success, and is informed by data that is already recorded in Partner Center.
To learn more about how to attain this designation, see the Solutions Partner for Security walking deck and the Security Partner Playbook.
Solutions Partner designation for Business Applications
Partners who attain a Solutions Partner designation for Business Applications demonstrate a broad capability to deliver solutions with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. To learn more, see this overview.
Biz Apps Partner Digital Summit is a series of free modules featuring Microsoft leadership discussing initiatives and programs available to partners, along with biz apps partners explaining how they have successfully put these opportunities to work. Register here to view the Solutions Partner Designations module, or any of the other modules listed, on demand.
Join the conversation
Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.
