Microsoft’s partner program has changed, keep earning incentives

The evolution to the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP) reflects Microsoft’s effort to simplify their partner program to meet customer needs. They’re introducing new ways to qualify for incentives with the partner capability score. They’re also introducing solutions partner designations in six key areas aligned to how Microsoft goes to market:

• Data & AI (Azure)
• Digital & App Innovation (Azure)
• Infrastructure (Azure)
• Business Applications
• Modern Work
• Security

This new model provides two qualifying levels: solutions partner and specialist.

After September 30, 2022, legacy competencies and associated badging will no longer be valid. If you have earned a competency and purchased the silver or gold membership by that date, however, you’ll retain your benefits until your next anniversary date.

Solutions partner designations will be available starting October 3, 2022.

Yes, they will be replaced by solutions partner designations. September 30, 2022 is the last day to renew competencies and retain your benefits. As of October 3, 2022, competencies will no longer be valid and will not be promoted by Microsoft.

You have a choice. Assess the new designations and benefits to determine how they align with your business plan.

If you choose to renew, you will keep your legacy benefits until your next anniversary date. If you attain a solutions partner designation after October 3, 2022, you will immediately receive the new customer-facing badge and no additional fee is paid. On your next anniversary date, you can then decide if you want to retain your legacy competency benefits or move to the new program.

If you choose to work towards a solutions partner designation, once you attain the designation, you immediately get the opportunity to pay the fee and move to the new benefits. You will not have the choice to select your legacy competency benefits.

You cannot renew your legacy competency before your anniversary date but you'll retain your legacy benefits until your next anniversary date, based on the competency you held on September 30.

If you don’t meet the requirements for a solutions partner designation on your next anniversary date, you’ll have the option to pay the fee and keep your legacy benefits until your next anniversary.

If you meet requirements for a solutions partner designation, you immediately attain the designation and the new customer-facing badge.

Admins can sign into Partner Center and visit the Solutions Partner page to see their points and how their business is progressing.

Like competencies, solutions partner designations demonstrate your skills and ability to deliver customer success. They differentiate you from your competitors and show customers (and prospective customers) your commitment to skilling, training and innovation.

You also must have a solutions partner designation to qualify for the incentives program.

The annual fee for a solutions partner designation, regardless of how many designations, is $4,730 USD (or equivalent, local fees vary). This is aligned to the legacy Gold competency fee. If you earn multiple designations, you do not need to pay the fee again.

If your organization has not earned the required 70 point minimum (out of a possible 100), you can sign into the Solutions Partner page in Partner Center for guidance on how you can improve your score in each of the categories: performance, skilling, and customer success.

You also have the option to purchase an Action Pack.

Yes. To pursue a specialization, you must first attain a solutions partner designation which requires a minimum of 70 points (out of a possible 100) plus at least 1 point across each subcategory.

For example, to earn the Calling for Microsoft Teams specialization, you must first attain a Solutions Partner for Modern Work designation then meet the specialization requirements.

No. Specializations are a way for you to differentiate your organization's deep technical expertise, they do not contribute to your partner capability score. You must have a partner capability score of at least 70 points (out of a possible 100) to earn a solutions partner designation then pursue a specialization.

Your partner capability score is determined by these metrics:

• Performance: Measured by net customer adds
• Customer success: Customer usage growth and number of successful deployments
• Skilling: Points are awarded for each person on your team with specified certifications