Modernization of Web Applications to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization

Update July 1, 2021

The new audit checklist 2.0 is available and now required for use.
Microsoft released the current version 2.0 audit checklist into preview on May 5, 2021 for the Modernization of Web Applications to Microsoft Azure advanced specialization. The audit checklist version 2.0 went into effect July 1, 2021.

We introduced a new modular format to the Azure advanced specialization audit, built on the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure. This benefits your business by:

• Validating your business’s ability to follow cloud adoption best practices and help ensure smooth cloud transition for your customers.
• Streamlining the Azure advanced specialization audit process to reduce the need to re-validate the same skills across multiple areas if your organization is seeking to earn more than one Azure advanced specialization.

The format has been broken into two modules:
• Module A: Evaluates and assesses a partner’s implementation of cloud adoption best practices, following foundational principles in the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure. This module is workload-agnostic, which means a partner can audit on Module A once and their passing result will apply to multiple Azure advanced specializations.
• Module B: Evaluates workload-specific capabilities. These are periodically updated to align to industry best practices. Module B also includes a requirement to conduct Well-Architected Reviews of customer workloads as part of the deployment.

Update March 24, 2021

As of March 25, 2021, we no longer require partners to complete Audit Checklist Control 3.2: Content management systems. Presenting evidence for this control is optional.

ISSI provides extensive, in-depth consulting engagements to help partners prepare for Azure advanced specialization audits. Partners work directly with ISSI to schedule this remote session (via online web conference). For more information about this type of in-depth consultant engagement, click here.

Alternately, partners can participate in an optional, one-hour, live overview session provided by ISSI. This Audit Preparation Overview session provides a high-level overview of key aspects of the advanced specialization audit process. The session includes a discussion of the checklist requirements along with best practices to help partners prepare for the audit. Partners work directly with ISSI to schedule this remote session (via online web conference). For more information about this overview session, click here.

To ensure objectivity, audits are conducted by a different ISSI auditor than the one engaged for consulting. Consulting engagements can be scheduled at any time, using the partner’s preferred conferencing platform.

* Please note there is a cost associated with the consulting and audit preparations services. See Payment Terms and Conditions.

Partners who demonstrate deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success in migrating and deploying production web application workloads, applying DevOps, and managing app services in Microsoft Azure may seek the Modernization of Web Applications to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization.

The Modernization of Web Applications to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization allows partners with an active Gold Cloud Platform competency to further differentiate their organizations, demonstrate their capabilities, and build stronger connections with customers.

Partners who meet the comprehensive requirements to earn an advanced specialization receive a customer- facing label they can display on their business profile in the Microsoft Solution Provider Finder, gain access to specific Microsoft go- to-market programs, are prioritized in customer searches to drive new business, and can generate a certified letter from Microsoft that verifies the advanced specialization that they have earned. For these reasons, this opportunity is available only to partners who meet additional, stringent requirements.

Learn more about advanced specializations.

How do I apply?

Only administrators of an organization’s Microsoft partner account can submit an application for the Windows Virtual Desktop advanced specialization on behalf of the organization. If you are the administrator for your organizations’ Microsoft partner account, you can apply here.