US Partner Insider Newsletter--December 2022 Issue

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With the new year just around the corner, this is the perfect time to reflect on your accomplishments and begin planning your business goals for 2023. We hope you take some time to relax and celebrate with family and friends. We appreciate our partners and look forward to working together to accomplish our joint business goals in the coming year.

Don’t forget to register for the first US Partner Insider call of 2023, which takes place on January 17 at 10:00 AM PT. Join the call and get to know Nina Harding, the new Microsoft GPSUS CVP.

Register for the Insider call

Modern Work & Security

JOIN THE PARTNER ACADEMY TO UNCOVER NEW SALES OPPORTUNITIES
The Partner Academy is here to ensure Microsoft partners are aware of the many programs and resources available to help you grow your business and accelerate sales. The goal is to simplify the complexity of key benefits and assets, streamline go-to-market opportunities, and accelerate sales engagement and support from Microsoft.

The Partner Academy will help you navigate the wealth of resources and enable you to have richer conversations with customers.

Learn more and register here for upcoming and on-demand webinars.

SMB SECURITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Be among the first 100 CSP indirect reseller partners to sell Microsoft Defender for Business to 10 or more customers¹ for the chance to win a trip and attend a tailored training experience in Mallorca, Spain, on May 16-19, 2023.

Get the details and register here to participate in the SMB Security Scholarship Program.

¹Qualifying customers are those who have not previously purchased more than five seats of Microsoft Defender for Business and who purchase more than 15 seats between November 2022 and March 31, 2023.

MICROSOFT 365 BUSINESS PREMIUM LOCAL ACCELERATOR LEGACY RATES RETIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 2022
We hope you’re taking advantage of the exciting Microsoft 365 Business Premium local accelerator to grow sales! This offers eligible Partners 5 percent on NCE and 2.5 percent on Legacy CSP on every Microsoft 365 Business Premium seat. Even more exciting benefits come as you partner with the Do More with Less campaign, enabling you to grow revenue by acquiring new customers and upgrading existing customers to more premium products.

Keep an eye out for upcoming changes to the local accelerator offer for Q3, as Legacy CSP rate will retire at the end of Q2 (December 31, 2022).

More information regarding Q3 updates will be shared soon. Feel free to reach out to our M365BP US Local Accelerator Support Team with any questions.

10 TEN YEARS OF SURFACE. INTRODUCING THE NEW SURFACE HOLIDAY LINE-UP
Surface continues to deliver innovation with a modern device strategy that puts employee experience at the center, built for flexible/adaptable work environments.

New products include:

Surface Pro 9: 2-in-1 flexibility for maximum impact. Versatility goes next level with two processor options, one with optional 5G and Pluton security.
Surface Laptop 5: Superpowered for serious work. Our most powerful Laptop yet—50 percent more powerful and a new color: Meet sage!
Surface Studio 2+: Stand-out design, fluid productivity. Blazing-fast graphics, brilliant color, and attention-worthy design. Surface Studio 2+ makes a beautiful statement in form and function.
Surface accessories: An amazing list of Surface accessories also launched, including the Microsoft Audio Dock, Microsoft Presenter+, and Microsoft Adaptive Accessories!

For more information, read the announcement or check out what’s next with Surface and Intel.

Azure

YOU’RE INVITED! GROW YOUR AZURE VIRTUAL DESKTOP BUSINESS WEBINAR
Desktop as a service (DaaS) is among the fastest-growing cloud services. Take advantage of this expanding market opportunity by knowing how to quickly deploy Azure Virtual Desktop and apps that enable secure remote work for your customers’ hybrid workforce.

You’ll leave this webinar ready to get started using Azure Virtual Desktop sales enablement resources and Microsoft partner-ready go-to-market materials.

BE READY FOR THE NEW YEAR WITH AZURE
Learn about Microsoft Azure—what it does, how it can be used to run business workloads securely, and how you as a Microsoft partner can build a practice to support your customers. Discover best practices for configuring resources in Azure, selling the value of Azure to your customers, and creating a secure environment in the cloud.

Make sure you’re ready for the new year and have the tools to help your customers make the move to Azure. Register for the on-demand Cloud Foundations course today!

MICROSOFT-FUNDED CLOUD AND SECURITY EVALUATIONS PROGRAM
Empowering partners with tools to accelerate cloud growth is key to our joint success. Microsoft is offering partners the opportunity to leverage Evaluations powered by Block 64 at no cost to you or your customers. This offering will enable you to provide data-driven insights to your customers on how they can improve security and optimize their environment by leveraging Azure and Microsoft 365. It will also help you identify more growth opportunities and projects with new and existing customers, boosting your sales.

Sign up today for the Cloud and Security Evaluations program. A Microsoft Program Representative will be in contact within 48 hours to help you onboard and run your first Evaluations.

Microsoft-funded Evaluations are limited to end-customers that belong to the Microsoft SMC Scale or SMB Commercial segments in the US.

LEVERAGE AZURE TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST YOUR CUSTOMERS’ AGILITY
Cloud-native apps enable your customers to reduce costs, efficiently respond to changing opportunities, and deliver more agile app innovation.

Help your customers realize the benefits of cloud-native apps. Azure can help you:

Manage cloud-native apps by leveraging Azure Arc, which allows you to simplify governance and management by delivering a consistent multicloud and on-premises management platform.
Quickly develop and deploy cloud-native apps via Azure Kubernetes Service, featuring built-in code-to-cloud pipelines and guardrails. Get unified management and governance for on-premises, edge, and multicloud Kubernetes clusters.
Adopt a serverless solution in Azure Functions, which operates with less code and infrastructure while saving on costs.

Use these assets to get your customers started on their journey toward modernizing and building new applications.

ACCELERATE INNOVATION WITH THE ISV SUCCESS PROGRAM
Build, sell, and thrive on the Microsoft Cloud. Grow your business as an ISV with powerful tools, one-to-one consultations, and training resources—and gain access to millions of Microsoft customers across the globe through the commercial marketplace. Join the public preview today.

Business Applications

HELP CUSTOMERS DO MORE WITH LESS WITH POWER PLATFORM
Accelerate innovation and save with the world’s most complete low-code platform. New customers can take advantage of a 25 percent discount in the first year on Power Apps per user with attended RPA.

The Do More with Less Using Power Platform offer is available through March 31, 2023. Visit the Microsoft Power Platform Partner Portal for more information.

Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI)

DON’T MISS THE BPGI INNOVATION TOUR
The Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) Innovation Tour provides an opportunity for members of the BPGI community to engage in interactive sessions designed to support their growth, development, sales acceleration, and success.

Find your city and register for an Innovation Forum today.

Please share with those who may be interested in attending an upcoming forum!

Customer Lifecycle Management

ENSURE YOUR CUSTOMERS’ SUCCESS WITH PROJECT ORLAND
Project Orland puts Microsoft’s understanding of the health of millions of customers to work, guiding partners to valuable lifecycle opportunities within their customer base. With access to AI-driven customer insights and actionable recommendations across the acquire, retain, and grow phases of CLM, partners can deliver value to their customers at every stage of their journey.

CSP partners with an active Microsoft Cloud Partner Program agreement and an established Microsoft 365 customer base under management are invited to join the public preview.

Learn more about Project Orland.
Register now for the February 7 webinar.

Enabling an Inclusive Economy

#BUILDFOR2030: BUILDING MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, TOGETHER
Communities around the world are navigating a transformed landscape, with shifting needs and priorities. Microsoft partners are rising to the occasion, harnessing the power of new and emerging technologies to help reimagine a more resilient future.

Start your journey of impact:

Read this blog by Angie Heise, CVP Worldwide Public Sector, on recognizing Microsoft partners reimagining a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Support featured solutions that are building more resilient communities, together.

Opportunity for diverse businesses
US partners can self-attest as a social impact and/or diverse business and upload relevant certifications in Partner Center. This information can be discovered by sellers and customers. Get started now.

LINKEDIN’S #B2BELIEVE BEGINS!
Join us for our inaugural LinkedIn event dedicated to B2B marketers.

On November 16, LinkedIn experts and thought leaders shared their insights and perspectives into the future of B2B marketing in a series of LinkedIn livestream events. Keynotes included:

Pushing creative boundaries: A conversation with Ben Stiller
Fireside chat with Michael Park, CMO at ServiceNow

Missed the livestream? Follow the @LinkedIn Ads page to see and reshare our B2Believe content.

Sustainability

PARTNERS HELP BRING SUSTAINABILITY TO LIFE
Addressing sustainability challenges is a global undertaking. We’re grateful for our growing ecosystem of partners delivering Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability solutions to help customers unlock data, build impact reduction initiatives, and create more sustainable outcomes.

Cloud for Sustainability updates
Recently at Ignite, we unveiled new Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability features, services, and resources that are summarized in this blog.

Supply Chain Reimagined webinar
Register now to learn how to bring agility, connectivity, and sustainability to the forefront of your supply chain:

Discover how Microsoft is committed to supply chain innovation.
Be among the first to see a demo of the new Microsoft supply chain offerings.
Get thought leadership insights on supply chain agility during the event’s keynote presentation.
View a panel discussion of real-world best practices featuring Microsoft customers and partners.
Get a sneak peek at the new innovations from Microsoft.

The Peggy Smedley Show – Sustainability Insights
Listen to this December 6 podcast featuring General Manager, Sustainability Solutions, Environmental Sustainability, Mark Kroese, and TCS, Sustainability Director, Eugenio Longo.

Microsoft and Climate Week plus COP27
Microsoft participated in the United Nations General Assembly and hosted key engagements at our new UN office. Read the stories:

For COP27, Microsoft’s Brad Smith spoke to Protocol.com about COP27, fossil fuels, and clean energy, highlighting the diverse facets of Microsoft’s approach to sustainability and the breadth of our commitments and activities in this space.

Transformation

MICROSOFT CLOUD PARTNER PROGRAM: KEY CALLS TO ACTION
On October 3, 2022, the Microsoft Partner Network evolved into the new Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, as we can continue to grow our partnership and help you grow your business. We’ve simplified our partner program and aligned to how we go to market and meet customer demand—validating partner capabilities to deliver successful customer outcomes and investing more in your profitability.

We’re here to help guide you through your transformation journey. Start by knowing what to learn, what to assess, and how to prepare to activate the changes ahead:

Learn more about the requirements and benefits of the Solutions Partner designations.
Assess your current score and track progress towards new designations via the Partner Center dashboard.
Activate your business plan in the new program.

Read the blog for more on what you need to learn, what to assess, and how to prepare to activate the changes ahead.

Have questions or need further support? Create a request in Partner Center.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SECURITY STRATEGY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Cybersecurity continues to be one of the top challenges of our digital age, and Microsoft partners play a key role in securing cloud transformations around the world. As the fiscal year ends, leverage these readiness assets to make sure you’re prepared:

THERE’S STILL TIME TO TRANSITION TO GDAP!
As part of a proactive, integrated Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity, Microsoft will update the way administrative privileges are managed between customer and partners in the CSP program.

By January 17, 2023, granular delegated admin privileges (GDAP) will replace the DAP model, which will be discontinued. Go here for step-by-step guidance.

Have questions? Join these weekly Q&A sessions on security-related changes in the CSP program.

BECOME A SOLUTIONS PARTNER FOR SECURITY
As a Solutions Partner for Security, you’ll demonstrate your broad capability to help customers safeguard their entire organization with integrated security, compliance, and identity solutions. Learn more about the Solutions Partner for Security designation and the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program.

INCENTIVES FOR CSP PARTNERS
Incentives in CSP new commerce went into effect in October 2021 and will be earned and paid through the Microsoft Commerce Incentive (MCI) program. Incentives for legacy CSP subscriptions will be paid through December 31, 2022. After that date, any legacy subscription still in effect won’t generate monthly incentive earnings or payments to the partner. Initially, new commerce incentives earnings in CSP will be 100 percent rebates rather than a rebate and co-op fund split as was the case in the legacy CSP incentives program. Partners should consider the end of monthly rebate payments for legacy subscriptions starting January 1, 2023, when making decisions about when to migrate legacy subscriptions to new commerce.

As of November 1, 2022, partners participating in the MCI program can begin earning cooperative marketing funds (co-op) in the new commerce experience (NCE). Participating partners can apply these funds toward development and marketing costs related to best practices for building channel awareness and promoting Microsoft products.

Read this blog for more information on MCI and co-op. To review your eligibility and enroll, sign in here.

PROMO EXPANSION IN NCE
The new Microsoft 365 SMB New Customer, Upsell, and CSP legacy to CSP new commerce renewal, and the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform New Customer and CSP legacy to CSP new commerce renewal promotions provide a 16.67 percent discount to new Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 and Power Platform customers; existing Microsoft 365 customers upgrading to a more premium product; and Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 customers on legacy CSP that are migrating to NCE. The promotion allows customers to start with a low-risk monthly subscription across the Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 and Power Platform products offered in the promotion.

These new offers are valid until June 30, 2023. To learn more, read this Partner Center announcement and download the Global Promotions Readiness Guide.

Voices for Innovation

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED FOR NEXT YEAR’S TECH POLICY DEBATES
The 2022 elections may have shown a divided nation, but on many tech policy issues there is broad consensus among voters and across party lines in Congress. Consider these examples:

Last year, a Morning Consult poll found that more than 80 percent of voters wanted Congress to pass legislation to protect online privacy. This year, Congress introduced bipartisan data privacy legislation, but it didn’t advance.
Similarly, a vast majority of Americans support federal investment in closing the digital divide. Last year’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation provided funding to meet this goal, but now state governments and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) need to determine the best path forward.

In 2023, Voices for Innovation (VFI)—the Microsoft-supported tech advocacy organization for partners—expects government officials to make decisions on these key issues. Policymakers may also act to strengthen cybersecurity, tech competition, and tech education.

And this is where you—as a Microsoft partner—can help. Policymakers want to hear from tech professionals, who have expertise, experience, and insights on these issues. You can make a difference by signing up today for Voices for Innovation and participating in our advocacy community; there is no cost for being part of VFI.

Partner Resources

Microsoft Cloud Partner Program provides the resources to help you stay engaged with your customers and take your business to the next level. Get the latest partner resources and news tailored to our US partners.
Visit the US Partner Insider Forum to engage with other partners and hear from Microsoft subject matter experts on how to grow your business.
Microsoft is now a national member of the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA). The SBDA provides small businesses with free tools, training, networking, and other resources—the keys to helping you innovate, grow, and succeed. Learn more and get started today!

Join us for Events and Activities

Business Applications Cloud Week or Sales Bootcamp. If you weren’t able to attend December 5-9, register here to view on-demand sessions up to 30 days post-event.
One-stop destination for Business Applications training. Register here for virtual and on-demand training and enablement events.
Improve your monetization of Microsoft 365 with AI-driven insights. Register now for this Microsoft Teams Live Event on February 7.
Marketing as easy as 1-2-3. Learn more and register here for this Microsoft Teams Live Event on January 18.
Partner Investments office hours. Join these weekly calls to learn about our investment offers and incentive programs. Register here for an upcoming call or watch on demand.
Digital Marketing Content OnDemand. Learn more and get started using DMC today!