Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2

The next wave of Copilot innovation is here, bringing together web + work + Pages as a new design system for knowledge work. Read this blog to learn about the exciting new announcements that deliver unmatched value to our customers across Modern Work and Business Applications.

And join us on September 25 for a Special Edition Americas Partner Insider Call on Modern Work and Copilot. Our industry insiders will share the latest product announcements, CSP and getting-started offers, and guidance on how to drive Copilot customer success. Register today.

Partner Audience: #CSP
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #ModernWork

Copilot for Microsoft 365 promo

Microsoft recently announced a special promotional offer focused on Copilot for Microsoft 365, available to CSP partners globally.

Microsoft is providing a 15% discount off the Partner Net Price for 10 to 300 seat purchases of Copilot for Microsoft 365, for customers that already have a qualifying subscription during the promotional period.

North America

LATAM

This promotion is valid for eligible customer transactions now through December 31, 2024, on annual subscriptions. Learn more.

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

October 2 Americas Partner Insider Call

Register now to learn about partner training and certification resources designed to help you build the skills you need today—and the expertise to achieve more tomorrow. Then, go on an expert-led deep dive into Copilot licensing for partners.

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

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #SuccessStory #GrowYourBiz #LearnSolutionAreas #Azure #CrossSolution

No Slides Attached podcast—Season 2 kicks off September 25

After an incredible first season of No Slides Attached: AI stories with Microsoft Partners, we’re back with Season 2! Look for Episode 1 tomorrow, when we’ll begin to dive even deeper into the world of AI and industry innovation.

In No Slides Attached, we explore the latest technologies with expert guidance from Microsoft leaders and partners. Season 1 focused on how our Copilots are already transforming businesses—now, we’re building on that momentum, to bring an industry lens.

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

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #DoingBizwMSFT #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution #Azure #Security

Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast—inspiring stories and innovative solutions

In the Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast we explore the latest opportunities to enhance your profitability and prepare for the future with AI. Each episode features an inspiring story from industry peers and innovative solutions for scaling your business profitably. Listen to the latest episode and check for more coming soon!

Subscribe today to listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts:
YouTube* | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | RSS

*With subtitles in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

No Slides Attached podcast—Episode 6 coming September 4

No Slides Attached: AI Stories with Microsoft Partners is an exciting new podcast series featuring meaningful conversations that combine the expertise of Microsoft leaders and inspiring stories from our partners.

Check out the Season 1 schedule and look for the release tomorrow of Episode 6, featuring Microsoft partner GigXR. Meital Winer, a Partner Marketing Lead focused on AI, discusses Microsoft’s framework for building or extending Copilots, as well as the potential for partners. Next, Jared Mermey, CEO of GigXR, describes the Copilot built by his company, a holographic technology designed to train medical professionals, and shares his vision for the healthcare industry in the era of AI.

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

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

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits are evolving

Access the latest Microsoft Cloud and AI innovation with evolved partner benefits. Read this blog by Julie Sanford, Vice President, Partner GTM, Programs & Operations, to learn about the what, why, and when—and why it should matter to you.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #Tech #Deadline #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

Take this Skillsoft survey for a chance to win

How have certifications impacted your career? Earning more? Working smarter (not harder)? Take Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary survey to share how certifications have impacted your professional trajectory. Complete the survey by September 13 for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

May 8 Americas Partner Insider Call: Demystifying Copilot Licensing

Shubham Choudhary, Director, Security Product GTM, GPS Americas, will lead the discussion and answer your questions on demystifying Copilot licensing. Peter Horsman, Partner Solutions Governance Lead at Microsoft, will also join the call to provide the latest Co-op (Partner Incentives Cooperative Marketing Funds) updates designed to help drive the growth of your business.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from our expert speakers, connect with other partners, get the latest updates, and elevate your partnership with Microsoft. Register today!

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

Partner Audience:#CSP
Relevant to: #Deadline #UnderstandBenefits #Azure

End of support for SQL Server 2014

July 9, 2024, marks the end of support (EOS) for SQL Server 2014. As a Microsoft partner, it’s always important to understand the options available and the actions you need to take to keep your customers’ mission-critical systems secure and compliant. The approaching EOS deadline provides an opportunity to assess your customers’ business needs and upgrade their IT infrastructure. Read this blog to learn more.

Partner Audience:#CSP #MSP
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #BestPractice #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution

Microsoft AI Cloud Summit for SMB Partners: Session playlist

The MSP Summit in March provided an opportunity for managed service providers to connect with Microsoft SMB and partner stakeholders, explore new technology solutions for scaling your business, and learn best practices from other Microsoft partners who have successfully implemented solutions with their customers.

If you missed the in-person event or want a recap, you can watch the sessions on demand.

Microsoft Build: Attend live in Seattle or online

How will AI shape your future? Join us at Microsoft Build on May 21–23, in person in Seattle or online. Be among the first to hear about announcements and product updates. Find solutions, meet with industry experts, and get your questions answered. Grow and differentiate your skillset through hands-on demos and breakout sessions. Learn more and register today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners #AllRoles
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #Azure

New Azure SMB paths to Solutions Partner designations coming soon!

One of the most exciting things that happened at our Americas AI and Cloud MSP Partner Summit last month was the announcement of Microsoft’s continued investment in SMB with new SMB paths for Azure and Security Solutions Partner designations. This means more access to products, go-to-market resources, support, and training, as well as offers and incentives to help you grow your business. Read this blog to learn more.

Partner Audience: #Services #MSP #AllRoles
Relevant to: #GoToMarket #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Celebrating our MSP Community—Key takeaways from the Summit

Last month we held an Americas AI and Cloud MSP Partner Summit at our Microsoft Corporate Campus in Redmond. If you weren’t able to attend, here are some key takeaways from Erwin Visser, GM CSP Americas, and Jose Gomez Cueto, GM SMB, on ways to build your practice and understand your SMB customers.

GitHub Certification Fundamentals

Register today for this four-episode series designed to help you enhance your software development skills and prepare to obtain certification. Sessions cover the basics of GitHub to hands-on exploration of GitHub Copilot and Codespaces. At the end of the series, you could be eligible to receive a free certification voucher on a first-come, first-served basis. See details.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners #AllRoles
Relevant to: #Deadline #UnderstandBenefits #CrossSolution

FY24 Co-op reminder

Start earning and spending your eligible co-op funds before it’s too late!

Co-op (Partner Incentives Cooperative Marketing Funds) provides reimbursements of earned funds to participating partners to help differentiate and build channel awareness and preference for Microsoft products. You can use co-op funds to conduct marketing activities that increase brand awareness and drive growth of your sales pipeline. Invest your co-op funds in activities to facilitate readiness, develop specializations, or attain Microsoft certifications—activities that foster focused solution practices and Centers of Excellence. Read this blog to learn more.

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

Microsoft Copilot for Security now generally available

Last month, we announced that Microsoft Copilot for Security would be generally available worldwide starting April 1, 2024. To understand how generative AI will streamline and enhance security tasks with exciting new product innovations and how Copilot for Security can seamlessly integrate with other products, read this Microsoft Security blog.

Upcoming training events

• • Learn Live: Get Started with Microsoft Copilot for Security
  • Microsoft Secure Tech Accelerator
  • Microsoft Copilot for Security Partner Bootcamp
  • Bookmark the security partner training events page for more upcoming training opportunities.

Recommended reading

• • Microsoft Copilot for Security: Protect at the speed and scale of AI
  • What is Microsoft Copilot for Security?

Partner Audience: #CSP
Relevant to: #DoingBizwMSFT #GeneratePipeline #Azure

Boost your hybrid cloud profits

Explore the innovative solutions and strategies that are helping Microsoft CSP partners integrate their on-premises solutions with the benefits of Azure. Register today for our one-hour April 9 webinar Microsoft CTO on Boosting Profits and Flexibility in Cloud Hosting to gain insights from Tony Surma, Microsoft Americas GPS CTO, on how to capitalize on the latest cloud hosting opportunities.

As a Microsoft partner, it’s always important to understand the options available and the actions you need to take to keep your customers’ mission-critical systems secure and compliant.

July 9, 2024, marks the end of support (EOS), for SQL Server 2014. The approaching EOS deadline provides an opportunity to assess your customers’ business needs and upgrade their IT infrastructure.

Flexibility for you and your customers with Extended Security Updates

SQL Server 2014 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) can help your customers stay secure while planning for the future. ESUs will provide up to three years of critical security updates along with continued access to technical support through existing support contracts. As of October 1, 2023, you can purchase ESUs as a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) or Enterprise Agreement (EA) reseller. Watch this demo on Purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) with Azure Arc for your Windows and SQL Server.

Guide your customers on the best path forward

This is a great time to discuss with your customers their options. Together, you can evaluate the best path forward for securing their legacy end-of-support workloads.

The Microsoft Datacenter Optimization team can offer guidance on making the best decision for your customers and your business. If you have any questions or need any assistance, reach out to the DCO team.

And make sure your customers don’t miss out on these important security updates:

Related posts

Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 end of support: Keep your customers secure

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.

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.

Mark your calendar for the next Americas Partner Insider Call on March 6 at 10:00 AM PT

Vince Menzione, CEO of Ultimate Partner and host of the Ultimate Guide to Partnering podcast, will share how to thrive and survive as the Ultimate Partner in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Register today!

The event will be held in English, with closed captions in Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners #CSP #ServicesPartners #MSP
Relevant to: #Event #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution

Are you looking for resources and guidance to help you grow your managed services practice?

We’ve got you covered. First, attend our February 27, 2024, Managed Services Provider (MSP) Community Call. You’ll learn about Lighthouse 365 multi-tenant management and propensity list creation tools.

Register here.

This event is delivered in English, with closed captioning in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Next, jump into the conversation in our newly launched MSP Community for Americas partners (in English). We invite you to share your ideas and engage with other partners. We want to hear about your experiences talking to customers about their cloud solutions, navigating the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, and building solutions. And our Microsoft Americas MSP experts will keep you informed about resources from Microsoft to help you along the way. See you in the community!

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

Expanded opportunity for partners: Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available to transact through CSP

As of January 16, 2024, Copilot for Microsoft 365 became generally available across all sales channels including Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) new commerce.

This step expands access to more customers and creates more opportunities for the partners who serve them. Hear what partners are saying and find out how you can get started in this blog from Nicole Dezen. Learn more on how to transact Microsoft 365 Copilot in this Partner Center announcement.

When you join the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, you become part of a global community that connects you to the relationships, insights, tools, resources, and programs you need to deliver amazing customer solutions and drive business growth. As you achieve your business goals, you’ll have the opportunity to access benefits to meet your business needs.

Take these steps to start—and grow—your partner journey

1. Join the Microsoft Partner Cloud Program

Microsoft Cloud Partner Program membership unlocks our best resources to help you differentiate your business, take your product to market, and sell your solutions. Join the program today.

2. Activate resources to grow your business
Every partner who has signed the Cloud Partner Program agreement is allocated a single Partner Global ID and is eligible to join the Microsoft Action Pack program. The Microsoft Action Pack includes software, support, and benefits for businesses that want to start, build, and grow their Microsoft practice in a cloud-first, mobile-first world. Learn more about how to buy a Microsoft Action Pack.

When you join the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, you receive a set of benefits designed to save you time and money. Membership will help you strengthen your capabilities, better serve customers, and build connections to reach your full business potential. Learn more about the benefits.

3. Differentiate and develop your business
Differentiating your business sends a powerful signal to customers about your unique expertise and helps you stand out in the marketplace.

Attaining a Solutions Partner designation is the first step toward differentiating and demonstrating your organization’s technical capability in the following six solution areas: Data & AI (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Business Applications, Modern Work, and Security. To attain a Solutions Partner designation, partners must demonstrate their organization’s capability in Performance, Skilling, and Customer Success.

A Solutions Partner designation is a prerequisite to attaining a specialization, which is where the tangible technical depth differentiation starts. Specializations and expert programs give solutions partners a way to differentiate their organizations by demonstrating deep technical expertise along with experience in specific technical scenarios under each solution area.

4. Leverage Microsoft Partner Center
A new element of the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program is the partner capability score. This is a composite score that quantifies the performance of a partner in three categories: Performance, Skilling, and Customer Success. Solutions partners can go to Microsoft Partner Center to get an overview of their partner capability score for each designation and see where they need to gain points. You can also access extensive customer insights, allowing you to review tenants and subscriptions that are relevant to the specific solution area.

The Solutions Partner score simulator in Partner Center is useful for planning the best course of action based on how the simulated effects can impact your partner capability score. Explore the partner associations playbook to understand how to maximize points.

5. Access partner investments and incentives
As a Microsoft partner you could be eligible for incentives and investments for your Microsoft selling activities and impact. To learn more about the requirements, join our Partner Investments Forum and Office Hours every second Wednesday at 10:00 AM PT.

6. Leverage support resources and build on collective knowledge
As a Microsoft partner, you have access to different types of support options to help with various aspects of your business and the wealth of collective knowledge in the Microsoft Partner Community, where partners go to get updates and stay informed. To connect with the Partner Community:

• • Visit the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program site.
  • Explore the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program training gallery.
  • Bookmark the US Partner Insider Hub, where you can subscribe to our monthly Insider newsletter, register for our monthly Insider call, connect on LinkedIn, and more.

Get started today!

We hope you find this guidance helpful and take the steps to grow your partnership with Microsoft. Bookmark this page and keep an eye out for more US Partner Community Blogs with the latest updates and information.

Have questions? Find answers in our Microsoft Cloud Partner Program FAQ.

Use the new Microsoft Cloud Partner Playbook to learn, assess, and grow your business as a Microsoft partner!

Related posts

The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program is your foundation for growth and profitability – US Partner Community Blog

Evolving Microsoft Partner Network programs for partner growth and customer success – The Official Microsoft 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 US Partner Community on LinkedIn.