December 4 Americas Partner Insider Call

Register now for the next Americas Partner Insider Call. We’ll explore how Microsoft embraces Responsible AI principles and practices when developing AI solutions, including how our legal department uses Copilot to achieve more. Next, you’ll hear from Partner Marketing about how to accelerate your pipeline by leveraging funded engagements.

See the list of previous sessions, now available to watch on demand.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #DoingBizwMSFT #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Resources to get you started: Retail industry

The emergence of AI has transformed the retail industry. Customers look to you for guidance, and there’s a wealth of information to help guide you when building your practice. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin.

Leverage these campaign assets designed for system integrators and service providers targeting corporate and enterprise customers in the retail sector. Help your customers empower their frontline retail workers with technology that enables them to focus on what matters most and their frontline workers to work smarter, not harder.

Read last week’s Top Stories for additional resources you can leverage to empower your retail customers, and look for more to come!

Partner Audience: #CSP
Relevant to: #Tech #SalesAndMarketing #Event #GrowSkills #ModernWork #Security

Level Up CSP Microsoft 365 & Copilot Bootcamps

Join us for these upcoming special edition bootcamps built to help you get ready to drive a successful renewal cycle and capture upsell opportunities starting in January.

Upsell and Renewal Sales Bootcamp
December 10 at 8:00 AM–12:00 PM PT

Upsell and Renewal Tech Bootcamp
Day 1: December 11 at 8:00 AM–12:00 PM PT
Day 2: December 12 at 8:00 AM–12:00 PM PT

Voiceover language coverage: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish (EU), Spanish (LATAM), Italian, and Hindi​

Learn more and register here. And be sure to check out the list of previous bootcamps, now available to watch on demand.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #News #LearnSolutionAreas #ModernWork

Microsoft 365 Copilot for SMBs—new study

Generative AI is transforming businesses of all sizes. To better understand how AI is helping businesses grow and compete, Microsoft commissioned Forrester Consulting to study the potential return on investment (ROI) of Microsoft 365 Copilot for SMBs. The study shows that Microsoft 365 Copilot drove up to 353% ROI for small and medium businesses. Read the blog to learn more about the results of the study.

No Slides Attached: Episodes 3 and 4 available now

In the podcast No Slides Attached: AI Stories with Microsoft Partners, we explore the latest technologies with expert guidance from Microsoft leaders and partners. Season 1 focused on how our Microsoft Copilots are already transforming businesses. In Season 2, we’re building on that momentum, diving even deeper into AI innovation across industries.

Check out the latest episodes:

Episode 3 – [AI in Education] Territorium helps 160,000 students in Costa Rica advance their careers every year
Guillermo Elizondo, CEO and Co-Founder of Territorium, shares the inspiring story about the company’s application of AI to make education more accessible across the globe. Microsoft industry experts join the podcast to discuss AI’s transformative role in education, including how AI is enhancing student assessments and institutional efficiency through innovations like Territorium’s competency-based learning tools.

Episode 4 – [AI in Healthcare] 3Cloud unlocks massive potential to improve patient lives through data analytics
Dan Rodriguez, CMO at 3Cloud, talks about the company’s award-winning data and AI solutions. He highlights the importance of scalable data platforms and Secure by Design strategies in enabling AI-driven healthcare advancements, such as personalized treatment plans and improved diagnostics. Later, Agustin Nolte, a director of partner marketing focused on healthcare and life sciences, joins the podcast to discuss advancements in technology within the healthcare industry, particularly the transformative potential of AI and data processing.

Real Stories, Real Success. Tune in and subscribe today, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #DoingBizwMSFT #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Resources to get you started: Retail industry

The emergence of AI has transformed the retail industry. Customers look to you for guidance, and there’s a wealth of information to help guide you when building your practice. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin.

Get started with the Era of AI Campaign in a Box. Use these assets to create preference for Microsoft AI solutions delivered by and tailored by your organization, driving leads and pipeline for your solutions.​

Look for more key resources you can leverage to empower your retail customers in upcoming Top Stories.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

Copilot Partner Prompt-a-Thon

The Copilot Partner Prompt-a-Thon is an online series of actionable, hands-on sessions designed to help Microsoft partners make the most of Copilot.

Learn more and register now for the November 21 session on Copilot in Word and PowerPoint.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

November 6 Insider Call recap

Microsoft Partner Solution Architects joined last week’s Americas Partner Insider Call to discuss data governance and security for Microsoft 365 Copilot​, including how to address common concerns and recommend paths forward for your customers interested in Copilot. See the list of previous sessions to watch on demand.

November 6 Americas Partner Insider Call

Register now to attend our next Americas Partner Insider Call. Microsoft Partner Solution Architects will discuss strategies for governing and securing organizational data for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Join the call to learn how to address common concerns and recommend paths forward for your customers interested in Copilot.

See the list of previous sessions, now available to watch on demand.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #DoingBizwMSFT #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Copilot for Microsoft 365 Excellence Workshop

To help accelerate your sales cycle, these one-on-one Microsoft-led training sessions are crafted for your customers that are eager to expand Microsoft 365 Copilot within their organization and scale their AI strategy. You’re invited to attend as well!

Nominate your customer through the Partner-led Sales Resource (PLSR) form today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #BestPractice #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Drive sales with Microsoft CloudAscent

CloudAscent is a data-driven tool that utilizes machine learning to provide Microsoft partners with valuable insights into their existing customer base. Use CloudAscent to identify which customers are ready to purchase Microsoft products—and focus on delivering the solutions they need.

Learn more and check out the new training videos available to partners and indirect providers.

CSP Masters Sales Bootcamp: Copilot for Microsoft 365
New Dates

Learn about Copilot for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, and AI-powered collaboration and security value in Microsoft 365. Open to all partners, this bootcamp will focus on helping you build a practice and land your first sale with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Upcoming dates include:

April 10, 2024
PST/PDT

April 17, 2024
IST

Register today!

See the Partner Enablement News blog for more training opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #GrowYourBiz #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Updates to simplification and alignment in Marketplace Rewards

To help drive simplicity, make it easier for you to access benefits, and support co-selling through the marketplace, we’ve made several changes to Marketplace Rewards. Check out this blog post for details on the updates.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #CrossSolution

Maximize your cloud hosting strategy in 2024: Success stories from our partners

The Datacenter Optimization team (DCO) at Microsoft is dedicated to helping partners supplement their on-premises business and benefit from the cloud. Partners that join the DCO program get access to incentives, resources, and guidance curated to their specific business and technology needs. Read this blog for testimonials from two partners that successfully shifted their business to the Azure cloud.

Microsoft AI Cloud Summit for SMB Partners

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 8:00 AM – Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 12:00 PM PT
Where: Redmond, Washington, United States

The MSP Summit is an opportunity for Managed Service Providers to connect, in person, with Microsoft SMB and Partner stakeholders, meet partners in the Microsoft ecosystem, explore new technology solutions for scaling your business, and learn best practices from partners who have successfully implemented solutions with their customers.

Learn more and register here.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #DoingBizwMSFT #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution

2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award nominations now open

Each year we celebrate our extraordinary partner community through the Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards. These awards acknowledge outstanding successes and innovations by partners in over 100 countries and across a wide range of categories, solution areas, industries, business transformation, and social impact.

Nominations are open until 6:00 PM PT on April 3.

Learn more about the Partner of the Year Awards and start your nomination here.

You’re also encouraged to attend the one-hour webinar Step by step for a successful nomination. Register today!

March 12, 2024 (Português)
March 12, 2024 (Español)
March 14, 2024 (English)
March 18, 2024 (Français)

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #UnderstandBenefits #ProgramOfferUpdate #CrossSolution

New partner benefits packages meet you where you are

Three new purpose-built benefits packages are now available to meet the varied needs of our partners and to help you take your business to the next level. Learn more in this blog by Julie Sanford, VP Partner GTM, Programs & Experiences.

Check out the Compare Offers page for details on each new package.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #LearnSolutionAreas #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Seize the AI opportunity with Copilot for Microsoft 365 in CSP

In this era of AI, Microsoft partners have the unique opportunity to build value-added solutions that will have a direct impact on the growth and success of their customers—not just across IT, but across all lines of business.

Read this new blog by Erwin Visser, General Manager of the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) strategy and GTM for Microsoft Americas, to discover how you can seize the full potential of AI with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Microsoft is committed to supporting our partners and customers by providing tools and resources that will increase productivity and efficiency—and help transform your business. One of the avenues for our on-premises customers running on GP, SL, NAV, AX, or on-premises Business Central platforms is to migrate to the cloud with Business Central and unlock the prowess of AI with Dynamics 365 Copilot. 

Why should customers care?

While it’s clear that the power of AI and Copilot comes via the cloud, there are some risks and downsides to remaining on-premises. Customers need to be aware of and consider the risks as they look to improve productivity and efficiency. Some of the risks include: 

• • Security concerns. On-premises enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are more vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches than cloud-based systems. This is because on-premises systems are hosted on local servers, which are more susceptible to physical damage, theft, and hacking. 
  • Scalability issues. On-premises ERP systems are limited in terms of scalability. This means that businesses that rely on on-premises systems might find it difficult to expand their operations or add new features to their systems. 
  • Higher costs. On-premises ERP systems require businesses to invest in expensive hardware, software, and IT infrastructure. This can be a significant financial burden for businesses and will block capital that can be used for other business expansion needs. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive business management solution that helps small and medium-sized companies connect their finance, sales, service, and operations teams within a single easy-to-use application. With Dynamics 365 Business Central, customers can confidently move to the cloud and unlock the insights needed to adapt faster, work smarter, and perform better. Watch this video for an overview. 

What are the benefits of Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Dynamics 365 Business Central in the cloud provides a range of benefits, including: 

AI-powered experiences. Dynamics 365 Business Central in the cloud brings the power of AI to small and medium-sized businesses with features that help companies work smarter, adapt faster, and perform better. For example, Dynamics 365 Copilot introduces the next generation of AI-powered experiences to Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications. Dynamics 365 Copilot provides AI assistance directly in the flow of work using natural language technology, automating repetitive tasks, and unlocking creativity. With Copilot in Business Central, product managers can save time and drive sales with engaging AI-generated product descriptions. Banish writer’s block with unique, compelling marketing text created in seconds using product attributes such as color, material, and size. Tailor the descriptions to your brand by choosing a tone of voice, as well as format and length. This is the AI power that an organization won’t have access to being on-premises. Watch this video to learn more. 

Cost savings. Dynamics 365 Business Central in the cloud can help slash operating costs for your business when it comes to labor, equipment, warehouse space, admin, deployment, and more. Plus, businesses that make the move to the cloud can expect to reduce their IT costs. 

Flexibility and scalability. Cloud solutions like Dynamics 365 make it easier to control where data is stored, who has access, and what resources a business is using at any given moment. Migration can reduce the risk of ransomware attacks and data breaches and provide greater data security for customers. Arguably the most tangible benefit of migrating to the cloud is the ability to access data and business tools from any device or location, and move seamlessly between laptops, tablets, smartphones, and desktops without losing critical data or hours of work. The cloud advantage is a must-have today considering the remote teamwork experiences and global partnerships. 

Move to the Cloud with AIM

We’re pleased to announce our FY24 Migration Program framework: AIM. With AIM, you can expedite your customer migration conversations by leveraging our investment offers, migration tools, and support for qualified customers. It’s easier than ever to help customers and partners migrate data from on-premises to Dynamic 365 Business Central and help boost business productivity and efficiency. 

Within the AIM program, we’ve created top-notch offers for customers that will help save costs in their cloud migration journey. There are also incentive levers that our partners and customers can leverage, along with a support ecosystem for qualified opportunities that will help with the actual migration. This support ecosystem is comprised of both internal Microsoft architects and our network of partners with Dynamics 365 Business Central migration expertise.  

Watch this Inspire session on demand to learn more. 

Get started today

Ready to get started using Dynamics 365 Business Central? Get an overview and a guided tour. 

To help your customers move to the cloud with confidence, go to the Dynamics 365 Partner Portal for resources and assets. 

Related posts

Catch up on what you missed at Microsoft Ignite 2023 | Microsoft 

Transform work with Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Central – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog 

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. 

Now let’s take a look at some of the key highlights from Inspire. Browse all of the latest opportunities, news, and announcements listed below or use these quick links to review by solution area:

Modern Work and Security	LinkedIn
Azure	Transformation
Business Applications	Voices for Innovation
Black Partner Growth Initiative	Partner Resources
Demand Gen	Join Us (Events and Activities)

Modern Work

Partner audience: All Partners
Relevant to: #News, #GrowYourBiz, #ModernWork

Sales Advisor added to Microsoft 365 Lighthouse
Project Orland has moved to general availability with a new name, Sales Advisor, in the expanded Microsoft 365 Lighthouse. Lighthouse transforms the way Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs) engage with their customers through advanced AI-driven insights to proactively manage customer relationships on a larger scale. Sales Advisor simplifies tenant management, minimizes risks, and delivers personalized recommendations. We strongly advise our partners to make regular use of this tool to fully unlock your customer’s potential. Learn more and get started!

FY24 SMB workshops
SMB workshops drive customer intent and conversion with partner-led interactive briefings. In FY24, workshops are updated to support our FY24 solution plays with better value and flexibility for partners. To register your interest in the SMB workshops, fill out this form.

Microsoft 365 E3 promo extended
The Microsoft 365 E3 15 percent off promotion for new customers is being extended through Q1. We encourage partners to drive upsell to Microsoft 365 E3 and help get customers AI-ready. Review this FAQ and summary to learn more.

Bing Chat Enterprise
Bing Chat Enterprise gives organizations AI-powered chat for work with commercial data protection. Bing Chat Enterprise is rolling out in preview to customers licensed for Microsoft 365 E5, E3, Business Premium, and Business Standard at no additional cost. A standalone subscription will be available for $5 per user per month in the future. To learn more, read this announcement and this blog introducing Bing Chat Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing.

Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing
Microsoft 365 Copilot brings a whole new way of working, including the ability to ask questions and get answers from the web. We’re excited to announce that Microsoft 365 Copilot will be available for $30 per user per month for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium customers. To learn more, read this announcement and this blog introducing Bing Chat Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing.

Microsoft 365 Copilot in Teams Phone
Copilot in Teams Phone will quickly generate summaries of phone conversations, capture action items, and answer users’ questions about their phone calls. When summarizing calls, Copilot will highlight key points, such as names, dates, numbers, and tasks that were discussed, and can also recommend next steps based on what was covered in a conversation. Read more about the next wave of Copilot in Microsoft Teams.

Teams Essentials plus Teams Phone System bundle promo
As of July 17, 2023, CSP partners can now use a new set of promotional discounts and packages to create new customer acquisition motions around calling with Teams Essentials plus Teams Phone (up to $4 off per use per month). To learn more, see the promo FAQ and the Teams Phone SMB partner playbook.

Microsoft 365 CSP Masters Program bootcamps
The CSP Masters Program is built to help partners grow their Microsoft 365 sales and technical capabilities and drive adoption. We’re excited to announce the new bootcamps coming in September. Learn more and register for a bootcamp today.

Windows 365 Enterprise in CSP offer
Windows 365 Cloud PC has revolutionized hybrid end-user computing. To create more partner and customer excitement, we’ve introduced a 20 percent off promo for all Windows 365 Enterprise performance SKUs for existing Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers. CSP partners can take advantage of this channel-wide offer for all existing M365 Business Premium customers regardless of the original channel of purchase. Refer to the promo summary deck for details.

New Microsoft Teams Exploratory self-service trial offer
Microsoft launched a new Teams Exploratory self-service trial offer for Enterprise and SMB customers. The new Teams Exploratory self-service trial offer replaces the 12-month Teams Exploratory trial. The intent of this trial is to allow end users without Teams to use the offer for free, seeding usage that can be converted to a paid Teams license upon trial expiration. Learn more about the Teams Exploratory experience.

Top

Azure

Partner audience: All Partners
Relevant to: #News, #AccelerateDeals, #Azure

Azure is the platform that underpins your favorite cloud services and enables innovation. From new and expanded investments to new resources on your journey to AI, here are a few of the important updates announced at Inspire:

Azure OpenAI expanded availability
Azure OpenAI Service already has more than 4,500 active customers. Now this service will reach more organizations around the world, with expanded availability in North America, Western Europe, and Asia. Learn more.

New Azure capabilities and investments
New Azure capabilities and investments include a substantial investment to increase the scale and availability of the Azure Migrate and Modernize program and the launch of Azure Innovate, a new dedicated investment, in response to the demands for analytics and AI.

Microsoft is also expanding the partnership with Meta to bring Llama 2 to Azure AI along with new innovations to the entire Azure AI portfolio.

New investments in the marketplace to unlock Azure IP co-sell benefits
Microsoft is bolstering its strategic investments in the commercial marketplace to expand Azure IP co-sell benefits. As of July 1, 2023, having a transactable offer published on the commercial marketplace is a new baseline requirement for accessing co-sell benefits, and we’re partnering across our ecosystem to help customers transition to the marketplace and access maximum benefits to grow their profitability. As a Microsoft partner, this is an enormous market opportunity for you to sell your co-sell eligible cloud-based apps on the commercial marketplace. Read this blog to learn more.

Migrate to innovate
Our customers need help modernizing their data estate to take advantage of the capabilities that AI has to offer. We continue to improve and build on our free Azure Migrate tool, which helps partners demonstrate the value of Azure to customers. Learn more about the updates we’ve made since Inspire.

Top

Business Applications

Partner audience: All Partners
Relevant to: #News, #GrowYourBiz, #BizApps

AI-powered Business Applications and Power Platform
Dynamics 365 Copilot, the world’s first AI-powered assistant for CRM and ERP, is helping organizations harness AI innovation to leapfrog the competition and grow their business with customers. Learn more.

Microsoft Sales Copilot
An evolution of Microsoft Viva Sales, designed to transform seller experiences, Microsoft Sales Copilot empowers sellers to increase productivity with custom engagements and close more deals. Learn more.

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights
Dynamics 365 Customer Insights unifies Dynamics 365 Marketing and Dynamics 365 Customer Insights into a single AI-powered solution. Generally available September 1, 2023, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights combines customer journey work, real-time marketing, and customer insights for an all-in-one solution. Learn more.

AIM for the future with Microsoft Dynamics
A new program to help customers accelerate their move to the cloud, AIM provides a tailored path through access to resources (assessments, implementation guidance, services, and investment offers). Customers with full on-prem ERP and CRM products are eligible. Learn more.

AI innovations in Power Platform
AI innovations in Power Platform, the most complete low-code platform, will help you accelerate app development, drive productivity, optimize for efficiency, and reduce costs. Learn more.

Business Applications opportunity with the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program enables Business Applications partners—both ISVs and SIs—to differentiate their business. Show your expertise and unlock incentives with a Solutions Partner designation or differentiate further with a Business Applications specialization in Business Intelligence, Finance, Intelligent Automation, Low Code Application Development, Sales, Service, Small and Midsize Business Management, and Supply Chain. For ISVs, leverage the Business Applications ISV Connect program as part of ISV Success. Learn more.

Top

Related posts

Learn about the FY24 Business Applications solution plays | Microsoft
Essential partner support resources to help you achieve more | Microsoft

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.

Microsoft offers a range of investments across each stage of the partner sales cycle. These investments are intended to enable deal acceleration and conversion, and help partners drive digital transformation with their customers.

Understanding partner investments 

Two investment categories are available to partners: offers and incentives. Offers are designed to fund specific pre-sales or post-sales engagements with customers and are not fundamentally tied to a transaction. Incentives are transaction-based, paid on a percentage of sales revenue or on the end–customer consumption or usage in the post-sale phase.

You can increase your sales velocity by taking advantage of the offers and incentives available through the Partner Investments Engine (PIE).

Offers and incentives align to the partner-customer sales journey phase, as shown here:

What is PIE?

The Partner Investment Engine (PIE) is a portfolio of offers and incentives through which eligible Microsoft US-managed partners can request funds to support the execution of key sales and marketing activities with their customers. are well-defined with specific eligibility requirements to provide agility and time to funding. The offers and incentives are well-defined with specific eligibility requirements to provide agility and shorten time to funding. If your engagement does not fit within the requirements of PIE, you can still request funding through the Area Win Room with the help of your Microsoft field representative.

Partners can stack pre-sales and post-sales PIE offers with an end customer. However, PIE is not available for customers with any other ECIF investment already applied in the fiscal year for the requested solution area. Partners are encouraged to leverage their PDM to ensure funding potential is maximized as they bring their customers through the investment win formula.

What PIE offers are currently available?

The FY23 PIE program currently includes three offers and incentives, each supporting pre- and post-sales engagements:

• • FY23 Azure Everywhere provides funding to help eligible customers along their cloud adoption journey through partner-led activities aligned to the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework.
  • FY23 Modern Work Everywhere funds activities that partners can leverage to drive sales, deployment, and consumption of strategic Modern Work products.
  • FY23 Security Everywhere funds activities that showcase the security capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Azure to drive sales, deployments, and consumption with eligible customers.

Get started and stay informed

US-managed partners can request access to the PIE Portal to begin onboarding. If you meet the general program requirements, an access code will be provided, allowing you to sign in to your personalized PIE dashboard. From there, you’ll have access to the specific offers you’re eligible for based on offer-specific requirements (such as Solutions Partner designations).

To stay informed and engaged with the PIE community:

• • Join the Partner Investment Forum.
  • Leverage the PIE asset collectionon Partner Center.
  • Attend our Partner Investments Office Hours every second Wednesday at 10AM PST. The sessions are also available on demand.

If you have questions or need assistance, our support team will be more than happy to help.