Check out these top stories for the latest news of the week for Microsoft partners in the Americas.
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Summer is right around the corner. This is a great time for Microsoft partners to reflect on FY23 accomplishments and get ready for FY24. Leverage the resources, announcements, and events below as a starting point for continued growth in the fiscal year ahead.
Mark your calendar for the US Partner Insider call on June 14 at 10:00 AM PT, when we’ll look ahead to FY24 with Heather Deggans, VP Global Partner Solutions US, GTM. Register for the Insider call.
Quick links
| Modern Work and Security | |
| Azure | Transformation |
| Business Applications | Voices for Innovation |
| Black Partner Growth Initiative | Partner Resources |
| Demand Gen | Join Us (Events and Activities) |
Modern Work and Security
Q4 MICROSOFT 365 BUSINESS PREMIUM LOCAL ACCELERATORRemove featured image
Eligible Partners: Microsoft CSP Direct Providers and Indirect Resellers
Wrap up the fiscal year strong by taking advantage of this exciting offer for Microsoft 365 Business Premium to grow sales! The Q4 offer is now available. To keep the growth momentum and continue motivating customer transition to our new commerce experience (NCE), partners can continue to earn 5 percent in addition to the 2.5 percent promotional offer on every Microsoft 365 Business Premium seat in NCE. Learn more about this offer.
MICROSOFT SURFACE IN HEALTHCARE PATIENT CARE SOLUTIONS FEATURED AT HIMSS23
Last month’s HIMSS23 Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Chicago featured two new patient care solutions leveraging Microsoft Surface in healthcare. EHR (Electronic Health Records) on Surface integrates with a customer’s existing EHR systems, including Epic, Cerner (Oracle), and Meditech.
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- Patient Room Display on Surface Go is a secure digital display mounted outside the patient room door or near the patient bed and supports most EHR systems.
- Patient Check-in Kiosk Powered by Microsoft Surface Pro streamlines the patient check-in experience by pairing an existing EHR system with Surface Pro multi-touch devices.
Check out the Surface gallery sales assets and demos or reach out to your Surface Account Representative to learn more about these EHR solutions.
Azure
NEW BOM! WINDOWS SERVER / SQL SERVER MIGRATION KIT
Did you know that Windows Server and SQL Server migration is one of the key plays in FY23? Data is your customers’ most strategic asset. Where that data resides and what you can do with it makes a huge difference to their business.
Check out the resources and campaigns section on the Azure for US partners page. Use these assets to help your sales force get up to speed and start migrating your customers today.
In addition to data modernization and migration, we’ve also updated our other Azure foundation assets. Security is top of mind for many customers today. Learn how Azure can help keep your customers more secure, from Azure Firewall Basic to Azure Virtual Desktop.
Business Applications
SEE WHAT YOU MISSED AT THE DIRECTIONS PARTNER CONFERENCE
Impacted Audience: Business Applications Partners
If you missed the Directions North America 2023 partner conference, check out this blog for announcements made and other information you’ll want to review. Updates include an SKU that allows customers with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to purchase Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales or Customer Service Enterprise edition for $20/user.
If you need assistance with any large deals, fill out this form to engage with the Partner-Led Sales Resource (PLSR) Team.
Black Partner Growth Initiative
UPCOMING INNOVATION SUMMIT HOSTED BY BPGI, BCPA, AND APPMEETUP
On May 17 the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI) will host our inaugural Innovation Summit at the Microsoft Redmond Headquarters. The Innovation Summit will feature executive thought leadership, talks, and workshops from industry leaders and C-level executives within Microsoft. This partner-focused Summit will serve as the graduation of our FY23 Catalyst Accelerator cohort. Attendees are also invited to participate in the inaugural Golf Classic hosted by BCPA.
We’re also seeking brands, businesses, and teams interested in exhibiting for our BPGI Partners and volunteers who want to donate a helping hand. Contact us for additional details.
Share this opportunity and register today!
Demand Gen
ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS WITH A “BETTER TOGETHER” GTM CASE STUDY
A story that showcases your customer’s success is a powerful way to create mindshare. A joint case study that shows how your solutions work with Microsoft technology to solve a customer need can further build credibility to accelerate deals.
Craft a powerful story using this co-branded, customizable case study template to show potential customers how you and Microsoft work together to meet their unique needs.
UNDERSTANDING THE B2B BUYER OF THE FUTURE AND WHAT DRIVES THEM
B2B buyers want more digital purchasing coupled with the ability to personalize their buying experience:
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- Online B2B buying is on the rise with 49 percent of purchases now happening online and set to rise to 57 percent in 5 years.
- More than two-thirds of B2B purchase journeys start online.
Ultimately, B2B buying is increasingly omni-channel with 71 percent of buyers wanting a connected analog and digital buying experience.
Learn more about the future of the B2B buyer in our latest LinkedIn Collective article.
Transformation
CHECK OUT THE NEW MICROSOFT CLOUD PARTNER PROGRAM PLAYBOOK
Impacted Audience: All Partners
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Playbook was developed to ensure we’re providing partners simplicity and clarity. The Playbook will help you navigate the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program and how you can grow within it.
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- Get an overview of the Program and what it means to you and your business.
- Get step-by-step guidance on how to attain Solutions Partner Designations and Partner Specializations in each of the six solution areas.
- Learn more about the benefits attached to the Program, as well as the related Partner Investments and Incentives.
Start using the Playbook today!
JOIN THE ISV SUCCESS PROGRAM TODAY
Impacted Audience: ISV Partners
Microsoft continues to invest in programs, resources, and initiatives to meet our partners right where you are, and that includes our ISV partners. The ISV Success Program provides the benefits and resources to help you build, publish, and grow well-architected software solutions on the Microsoft Cloud. Visit the ISV Hub and this guide to learn more about the benefits of the ISV Success Program and join the public preview today!
You should also leverage these training gallery assets and these frequently asked questions to learn more about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program and the ISV Success Program.
MICROSOFT 365 MULTI-GEO CAPABILITIES ADD-ON SKU COMING SOON
Impacted Audience: Managed and Unmanaged CSP Partners
Beginning June 1, 2023, the Microsoft 365 Multi-Geo capabilities add-on SKU will be available in the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) new commerce experience (NCE).
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- Multi-Geo will enhance the value of partners’ Microsoft productivity business by giving customers the ability to meet global data residency requirements within their Microsoft 365 tenant. Customers can expand their Microsoft 365 presence to multiple regions within an existing Microsoft 365 tenant, through the creation of new satellite geography locations to host users’ data. Microsoft 365 Multi-Geo is an add-on SKU with three purchase options available for partners or customers who are managing Microsoft 365 subscriptions in new commerce: one-year subscription paid monthly, one-year subscription paid annually, or one-month trial subscription.
- Because this add-on SKU is user level, partners need subscription licenses for each user to be hosted in a customer’s satellite geography location. CSP partners must purchase a number of Multi-Geo licenses equal to or greater than 5 percent of their customer’s total eligible Microsoft 365 subscription seats.
- Multi-Geo is available to CSP partners in the NCE license-based price list preview as of May 1, 2023, and in production on June 1, 2023.
Read this announcement to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT UPCOMING ENHANCEMENTS TO CSP-HOSTER PROGRAM
Impacted Audience: CSP Direct Providers and Indirect Resellers
On October 1, 2022, we introduced a new program called Cloud Solution Provider-Hoster (CSP-Hoster), with the goal of empowering partners to build hosted solutions with speed and scale.
We’re excited to announce upcoming enhancements with new offers and program changes that reduce costs and benefit our customers and partners in the CSP-Hoster program. These enhancements will roll out throughout calendar year 2023. Sign in to the Operations Readiness gallery to access the full announcement and the FAQ.
NEW DATE TIME ATTRIBUTES AVAILABLE FOR CSP NEW COMMERCE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Impacted Audience: CSP Direct Providers and Indirect Resellers
As of May 10, CSP partners who use the Partner Center APIs have more specific information about when subscriptions end.
The Partner Center team is adding two new properties to the subscriptions resource available via the Partner Center APIs. These new properties are intended to provide partners with more accuracy and details for a subscription’s exact UTC end times for billing cycles and terms. Read this announcement to learn more.
TOTAL PRICE NOW VISIBLE IN ORDER CONFIRMATION AND CART CHECKOUT RESPONSE
Impacted Audience: CSP Direct Providers and Indirect Resellers
Starting April 12, Partners are now able to verify the pricing of their order during the order confirmation and cart checkout response through Partner Center and API.
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- The total price displayed will be for the offer’s full term and total quantity purchased (Quantity * Unit Price).
- Promotional discounts are accounted for in the displayed price.
- Taxes aren’t reflected.
Read this announcement to learn more.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A SECURITY STRATEGY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Impacted Audience: All Partners
Today’s organizations need a new security model that more effectively adapts to the complexity of the modern environment; embraces the hybrid workplace; and protects people, devices, apps, and data wherever they’re located. The Zero Trust framework is a highly effective security model that assumes all activity—even by trusted users—could be a breach.
Strengthen your security posture and navigate the evolving threat landscape with Microsoft cybersecurity tools and resources, including the technical training “Security Through the Lens of Zero Trust”, which is carefully designed for partners participating in the CSP program. However, the training is recommended for all Microsoft partners.
Voices for Innovation
THE LATEST TECH POLICY HIGHLIGHTS FROM WASHINGTON, DC
Lawmakers in Washington and state capitals take actions every term that impact the technology sector. Voices for Innovation (VFI)—the tech advocacy organization for Microsoft partners—works to advance policies that foster innovation and business growth, expand tech access and education, and more. This month, VFI is sharing tech policy highlights focused on artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property (IP), and data privacy. Read this month’s highlights and learn more about VFI.
Partner Resources
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- Microsoft is 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!
- 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.
Join Us (Events and Activities)
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- Save the date for Microsoft Inspire 2023! This year’s event will take place on July 18–19. Registration and more information coming soon. In the meantime, explore the announcements and on-demand content from last year’s experience.
- Register for upcoming and on demand Partner Academy webinars, designed to help you have richer conversations with your customers.
- Check out the revamped Partner Training Calendar and register for upcoming trainings. Filter by solution area or solution play, among other options, to choose the readiness activities that will accelerate your Microsoft skills.
- 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.
For more upcoming events, see the June 2023 Hot Sheet.
