What is a Microsoft Partner?
Microsoft Partners are everywhere, but why do you need a Microsoft Partner and why can't you go direct to Microsoft?
What is a Microsoft Partner?
Microsoft is a large global software company with a vast range of products, from consumer goods such as Xbox, to productivity such as Microsoft 365 to business products named Dynamics 365 to cloud capabilities through Azure and the Power Platform. Consumer products aside, one of the overarching benefits of the Microsoft product base is the flexibility of those products to be tailored to individual requirements or industry specific solutions.
This means that Microsoft relies on its global partner programme to design, implement and support solutions to the market. In fact, Microsoft considers itself as "partner led".
How do you determine what is a good partner?
There are a lot of partners in the world; Microsoft states that it has over half a million partners worldwide. Of course, it is important to find a partner that provides the products and services that you require – an Office 365 only partner is no good for someone looking for an ERP solution, for example.
You have the choice of companies offering a wide range of products and services, or from product specialists who focus on just one or two products. Microsoft also encourages partners working together to provide a range of solutions.
Microsoft Solutions Partner
Part of being a partner is about expertise - partners who have the highest levels of expertise and a proven customer base are able to gain certification from Microsoft. These are based on certifications, and the client base of the partner, and given for specific specialisations. Those partners will receive a Microsoft Solutions Partner designation, and they will often display a certification badge which will show the expertise they specialise in.
Other Factors in Choosing a Microsoft Partner
It is also worth finding out where a company covers – if they work locally, nationally or globally.
In summary, there are four key factors to consider when looking for a partner:
- Do they provide the products that match your business needs?
- Do they provide the services that you require?
- Do they have Microsoft accreditation?
- Do they have happy customers?
Microsoft Partner FAQs
A Microsoft Partner is an organization that collaborates with Microsoft to deliver a wide range of technology solutions and services. These partners leverage Microsoft’s technologies, tools, and resources to create, market, and sell their solutions, helping businesses across different industries achieve their goals.
Depending on the products, some are available to buy direct from Microsoft, however some product licenses need to be bought through a partner.
The level of service that you require from a partner is down to your business requirements, however, it is typical to use a partner to implement and support your software.
No, it is not a requirement for companies to pass any certification to become a partner. However, Microsoft do have Solution Partner competencies that have a range of requirements to be obtained, including staff passing a range of thorough examinations.
Microsoft partners previously held Gold and Silver partner competencies to prove their capability. These have now been deprecated and superseded by the Solution Partner competencies.
Microsoft Partners have access to extensive training programs and resources provided by Microsoft. They regularly participate in certification programs and stay informed about the latest updates and best practices to ensure they can deliver cutting-edge solutions.
A Microsoft Solutions Partner is a company recognized for its expertise in delivering Microsoft technology solutions. These partners are validated for their technical skills, experience, and customer success. Here are the key aspects:
- Technical Skills: They possess extensive technical capabilities and are committed to continuous training and upskilling.
- Customer Success: They have a proven track record of delivering solutions that meet customer needs.
- Microsoft Cloud Solution Areas: Their skills are validated in specific areas such as Business Applications, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure, Modern Work, and Security.
- Microsoft Resources: They have access to exclusive resources from Microsoft, including training, technical support, and product information.
To become a Microsoft Solutions Partner, companies must meet several requirements, including:
- Demonstrating technical capability
- Providing customer references
- Showing successful project delivery
- Meeting spend requirements
- Using multiple technologies
- Committing to growth
Microsoft evaluates these companies using a partner capability score framework, which measures performance, skilling, and customer success.