Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) is evolving, and we've launched a digital badging program, Solutions partner, for all of our commercial partners.
This article (and the five articles below it in the table of contents) describes the requirements, benefits, and business rules for each of the Solutions partner designations.
For a detailed learning path about the new Solutions partner designations—including videos, a benefits guide, a timeline, and an FAQ—see Evolving the Microsoft Partner Network programs.
Simplifying partner programs
There are six Solutions partner designations:
- Solutions partner for Security
- Solutions partner for Modern Work
- Solutions partner for Business Applications
- Solutions partner for Data and AI (Azure)
- Solutions partner for Infrastructure (Azure)
- Solutions partner for Digital and App Innovation (Azure)
Each of the six designations is mapped to a Microsoft solution area, simplifying partner programs from the 18 legacy competencies.
Mapping legacy competencies to Solutions partner designations
The following table maps legacy competencies to the new Solutions partner designations.
| Legacy competency | Solutions partner designation |
|---|---|
| Cloud Business Applications | Business Applications |
| Enterprise Resource Planning | Business Applications |
| Project Portfolio Management | Business Applications |
| App Integration | Data & AI (Azure) |
| Data Analytics | Data & AI (Azure) |
| Data Platform | Data & AI (Azure) |
| Cloud Platform | Infrastructure (Azure) |
| Datacenter | Infrastructure (Azure) |
| Application Development | Digital & App Innovation (Azure) |
| App Integration | Digital & App Innovation (Azure) |
| DevOps | Digital & App Innovation (Azure) |
| Cloud Productivity | Modern Work |
| Collaboration and Content | Modern Work |
| Communications | Modern Work |
| Messaging | Modern Work |
| Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions | Modern Work |
| Windows and Devices | Modern Work |
| Enterprise Mobility Management | Security |
| Security | Security |
Eligibility based on holistic measurements
Eligibility for Solutions partner designations is based on your partner capability score.
A partner capability score is a composite score that quantifies the performance of a partner in three categories:
- Performance
- Skilling
- Customer success
The score is calculated through measurements based on information that is already captured in Partner Center.
If you're a partner with the MPN admin role, you can track your progress toward attaining any Solutions partner designation at Partner Center at Solutions Partner | Overview.
Benefits of Solutions partner designations
To support you as you grow your business, go to market, and reach more customers, we've updated our benefits and aligned them with the six Solutions partner designations.
When you attain a Solutions partner designation, you're eligible to receive the new benefits package associated with that designation.
The Solutions partner benefits packages include:
- Product benefits
- Internal use rights (IURs)
- Cloud licenses
- Azure credits
- Go-to-market services
- Customer-facing badges
- Technical pre-sales and deployment services
- Technical support
- Eligibility to earn incentives.
To learn the details of the benefits provided as part of this change, download the Solutions Partner Benefits Guide. (The 22-page guide is sent to your default download folder when you select the link.)
Benefits for advanced specializations and expert programs
We have also introduced product benefits aligned to advanced specializations and expert programs. These benefits increase value for partners who invest in demonstrating deep technical expertise and experience in specific technical scenarios aligned to the solution areas.
Note: You can continue to use and renew the existing benefits that you get from legacy competencies.
Next steps
- Learn more about the partner capability score
- Solutions partner program information for Azure areas
- Solutions partner for Business Applications
- Learn more about the upcoming changes
Introduction to the Solutions partner program - Partner Center | Microsoft Docs
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Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP) - Microsoft Partner Community
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