In today’s fast-changing technological landscape, it is more important than ever for Microsoft Software Partners to stand out in the crowded software marketplace. With numerous solutions competing for attention, how can you ensure that your offerings get noticed and instill confidence in potential customers? The key lies in strategic differentiation and validation, which is where the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program’s certified software designations become valuable. These designations are not merely badges; they serve as strong endorsements of quality, interoperability, and relevance that distinguish your solutions from the competition. They are a testament to the rigor and excellence you bring as a Microsoft Solutions Partner.
The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is designed to support partners in developing and growing their businesses by leveraging the power of the Microsoft Cloud. The program provides a structured approach to help Microsoft Azure Partners build, publish, and scale successful software solutions. One of the most compelling features of this program is the opportunity for partners to attain certified software designations, which serve as a clear signal to customers that your solutions meet the highest standards of quality and integration with Microsoft technologies. This blog post will take a detailed look at these designations, exploring the pathways to achievement, the requirements for qualification, and the multitude of benefits they unlock.
Key Takeaways
The Microsoft Solutions Partner Program with certified software designations is designed to help partners showcase their solutions' quality and interoperability with the Microsoft Cloud.
There are two main pathways: one focused on core Microsoft technologies and another on industry-specific AI applications.
Meeting the eligibility criteria and achieving certification unlocks various benefits to help you market and grow your solution
What is the Microsoft Solutions Partner Program?
The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program helps partners who develop software build, publish, and grow well-architected solutions on the Microsoft Cloud. The solution partner program recognizes that every partner has unique needs based on their business model, size, and stage of growth. To help these partners differentiate their software solutions, Microsoft offers Solutions Partner designations with certified software.
Becoming a Solutions Partner with certified software is like earning a badge of honor that shows your software is top-notch. It means your solution meets specific technical criteria for working seamlessly with the Microsoft Cloud and has a proven track record of customer success. This helps customers feel confident about the quality, reliability, and relevance of your software.
Why Microsoft Software Partners?
In today's market, customers are looking for reliable solutions they can trust. Here's why getting certified through this program is a smart move:
Builds Trust
A certification badge increases customer confidence in your solution. When customers see that your software has been vetted by Microsoft, they are more likely to choose it.
Stands Out
The global cloud computing market is huge and growing rapidly. By 2030, it’s expected to reach $1,554.94 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1 percent from 2023 to 2030. With so many options, it's important to have something that makes your solution stand out.
Boosts Visibility
The program helps you get noticed in the Microsoft commercial marketplace, making it easier for potential customers and Microsoft sellers to find your product.
Provides Access to Resources
Certified partners get access to marketing and sales tools to help grow their businesses.
Two Pathways to Becoming a Solutions Partner with Certified Software
There are two main pathways to becoming a Solutions Partner with certified software:
Solution Areas Pathway
This path is for software solutions that integrate with core Microsoft technologies. It includes:
Certified Software for Azure: For solutions that work with Azure cloud services.
Certified Software for Business Applications: For solutions that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.
Certified Software for Modern Work: For solutions that enhance Microsoft 365, including Teams.
Certified Software for Security: For solutions that enhance Microsoft security products.
Industry AI Pathway
This path is for software that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve specific industry challenges. It includes:
Certified Software for Healthcare AI: For AI solutions in the healthcare industry.
Certified Software for Retail AI: For AI solutions in the retail industry.
Certified Software for Financial Services AI: For AI solutions in the financial services industry.
Certified Software for Manufacturing AI: For AI solutions in the manufacturing industry.
Certified Software for Sustainability AI: For AI solutions focused on sustainability.
What Are the General Requirements?
Both pathways have common requirements:
Commercial Marketplace Readiness: Your solution needs to be listed in the Microsoft commercial marketplace and be transactable or IP co-sell eligible. Some exceptions may apply.
Interoperability with the Microsoft Cloud: Your software must show that it works well with Microsoft’s cloud services, which is confirmed through a technical review.
Customer Success: You need to prove that your solution has happy customers. This can include customer case studies, references, and positive marketplace ratings.
Diving Deeper into the Technical Requirements
The technical requirements for each pathway vary, depending on the specific solution area or industry. Here’s a more detailed look:
Solution Areas
Azure: Your software must show interoperability with Azure products, platforms, and services. This includes areas like data, AI, computing, containers, integrations, and control planes.
Business Applications: Your software needs to demonstrate interoperability with Business Applications, including feature overlap, data handling, and operational excellence.
Modern Work: Your solution needs to complete the Microsoft 365 App Compliance Program certification.
Security: Your solution must pass a technical review based on the security platform it integrates with. For example, if it integrates with Microsoft Sentinel, it must be active in the Sentinel content hub gallery.
Industry AI
Solutions must align with Microsoft Industry Clouds and meet specific technical requirements focused on AI capabilities. These AI capabilities include:
Microsoft Copilot Industry-Specific Extension: Extending Microsoft Copilot with your application's capabilities.
Industry-Specific Copilot Solution: Building your own industry-specific copilot using Azure AI.
Industry-Specific Microsoft Fabric Solution: Building on top of Microsoft Fabric, which is a data analytics platform.
Industry-Specific Foundation Model: Building or fine-tuning a custom AI model using Azure AI Studio.
For all of these options, your solution must use Microsoft storage services for contextual data.
The Validation Process: What to Expect
The validation process involves a technical review and an assessment of your customer evidence. Here's how it works:
Prepare Documentation: Gather your customer case studies, technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and other relevant information.
Submit Documentation: Submit your application via the Partner Center.
Third-Party Review: An independent partner, Persistent Systems, reviews your documentation. They will contact you for more info, such as screenshots, demos, and architectural references.
Technical Audit: Your software will be audited to make sure it meets the technical requirements of your chosen area.
Customer Evidence Review: Your customer case studies and other proof of success will be reviewed.
Fees: There may be fees for the technical audits and customer evidence reviews, which can vary based on the designation and the depth of the review. Note that Microsoft may subsidize some of these costs.
What Benefits Microsoft Partners Get?
Once you get certified, you unlock a range of benefits:
Customer-Facing Badging: A digital badge that shows up on the Microsoft commercial marketplace and can be used in your marketing materials.
Microsoft Solution Play Cards: These cards help Microsoft sellers understand how your solution can solve customer problems.
Marketing Resources: Access to nurture assets, emails, and customer-facing solution briefs to drive demand for your software.
Marketing Concierge: Experts who can help you use your marketing benefits effectively.
Incentives: Potential for Azure ISV partner-led incentives, which can help you migrate and modernize customer solutions.
Top Tier Benefits: Including access to Partner Reported ACR (PRACR) and enhanced Microsoft seller discovery.
How to Enroll: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get started? Here's a simple guide to enrolling in the program:
Prepare Your Materials: Make sure you have all your customer success stories, architectural diagrams, and other documentation ready.
Access Partner Center: Log in to the Microsoft Partner Center and go to the Referrals workspace.
Select Your Solution: Choose the solution you want to certify and review the eligibility information.
Check Qualification Metrics: In the Qualification tab, ensure your solution meets all the criteria for your chosen pathway (solution area or industry AI).
Schedule Your Audit: Once you qualify, schedule the technical audit in the Audit tab.
Complete the Audit: Work with the third-party vendor (Persistent Systems) to complete the technical audit and customer evidence review.
Redeem Your Benefits: After a successful audit, you can access your benefits in the Benefits tab. You can also download your badge in the Logo Builder workspace.
Important points to remember
The program is subject to change.
A certification is specific to the interoperability of your software with Microsoft products and is based on self-attestation by the solution owner.
Microsoft does not guarantee the effectiveness of solutions certified through this program.
All decisions about strategies, solutions and partner selection rest solely with your business.
In Conclusion
The Microsoft Solutions Partner Program with certified software designations is a powerful tool for software developers who want to differentiate their products in the marketplace. By meeting the program's criteria, you gain access to marketing resources, increased visibility, and, most importantly, the trust of your customers. Whether you're working with core cloud technologies or developing cutting-edge AI solutions, this program offers a pathway to greater success and growth.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set your software apart and make it easier for customers to choose your solution over the competition.
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