Through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, we invest in key initiatives like Solutions Partner designations, which play a pivotal role in driving success in the marketplace for both partners and customers. This distinction helps partners showcase their validated skills, so customers can confidently choose the right partner for their needs.
When you become a Solutions Partner* with certified software**, customers can easily identify the quality, capability, reliability, and relevance of your software solution. That credibility is good for your business right now, but this designation also sets your organization up for long-term marketplace success by unlocking even more growth opportunities—like Azure IP co-sell top tier benefits and Azure partner-led offerings.
That is why we're making it even easier for you to attain a certified software designation with a limited-time subsidy that covers 50% of the audit cost. The audit involves working with an independent auditing partner who will review submitted documentation to validate your solution's technical interoperability and customer success.
Read on to learn more about certified software designations, their benefits, and how you can secure your subsidy to become a Solutions Partner with certified software.
Certified software designations make it easier for customers and sellers to find your vetted solutions
A certified software designation differentiates your solution to both customers and sellers in the commercial marketplace. It shows customers that your solution meets technical criteria for interoperability with the Microsoft Cloud—aligned with solution areas or Industry AI—and demonstrates a proven track record of customer success.
Once you've attained a certified software designation, you can tap into the full potential of the marketplace by reaching more customers at scale and simplifying connections with our field sellers. The designations also come with go-to-market, sales, and marketing benefits designed to help fuel greater demand for your solution—including customer-facing badging, nurture assets, and customizable solution briefs. Learn more about the benefits in the Solutions Partner with certified software designations resource gallery.
New investments to drive your success as a Solutions Partner with certified software
When you secure your limited-time subsidy and become a Solutions Partner with certified software, you'll qualify for additional benefits designed to help you stand out in the marketplace and deliver greater value to customers.
Top tier benefits
Certified software designations now unlock Azure IP co-sell top tier benefits, which help partners make the most of Azure IP co-sell. In addition to certified software designation benefits, partners can gain access to Partner Reported Azure Consumed Revenue (PRACR)—an exclusive software as a service (SaaS) joint-sales offering that recognizes Microsoft sellers for selling your eligible Azure solutions—and enhanced discoverability on Microsoft seller platforms. Partners can qualify for top tier benefits by attaining one of the seven eligible certified software designations:
Certified software for solution areas
Certified software for Industry AI
- Healthcare AI
- Retail AI
- Financial Services AI
- Manufacturing AI
- Sustainability AI
Azure partner-led offerings—now for ISVs
Independent software vendors (ISVs) who have attained a certified software designation now qualify for Azure Migrate and Modernize and Azure Innovate. Help customers modernize and migrate to Azure via SaaS or bring your own license (BYOL) scenarios, create new apps, or build in AI or analytics functionality to an existing app with ease. Through these offerings, you can:
- Implement efficiently with comprehensive resources in one place.
- Increase agility with extensive coverage across scenarios and segments.
- Innovate confidently with tailored incentives that maximize earning opportunities.
With rich investments at every stage, including go-to-market resources, best practices, and funding, these Azure partner-led offerings provide software and services partners with a critical opportunity to deliver expert value and win more business.
How to become a Solutions Partner with certified software
Your organization can become a Solutions Partner with certified software through two pathways: solution areas or Industry AI. Both pathways align to how software solutions are developed and require that your solution demonstrates:
- Commercial marketplace readiness.
- Interoperability with Microsoft Cloud and fulfillment of specific technical requirements.
- Customer success, including demonstration of customer satisfaction with your solution.
Learn more about the technical requirements for becoming a Solutions Partner with certified software for solution areas and Industry AI.
Once you've met the initial qualification criteria, your partner administrator can schedule your audit to validate your solution's interoperability and track record of customer success.
Apply now—and receive 50% off your audit
We are committed to helping partners differentiate, grow their businesses, and make the most of the commercial marketplace with certified software designations. Helping partners validate their solutions makes it easier for our shared customers to find them and make a greater impact in their work, too. Aligned with our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more, we're offering a streamlined application process and a limited-time subsidy covering 50% of the audit cost, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ready to get started? Here's how:
- Contact your partner administrator to secure your subsidy.
- Visit your Partner Center Referrals workspace to access your published solutions on the commercial marketplace.
- Review the initial qualification criteria for certified software designations against your solution(s). If your solution requires a customer evidence review, select "Upload Now" and provide two documents that demonstrate customer satisfaction.
- Note: The customer evidence reviews are also eligible for the 50% subsidy on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If your solution meets the initial qualification criteria, select the "Schedule audit" button in the "Audit" tab.
- Note: The audit requirements differ based on the designation you're applying for.
- Upon successful completion of the audit, you'll be enrolled as a Solutions Partner with certified software and gain access to the designation’s benefits and eligibility for additional investments.
- Explore the Solutions Partner with certified software resources gallery for more information.
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* Solutions Partner refers to a company that is a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and can offer software, services, and/or solutions to customers. Reference to "Solutions Partner" in any content, materials, resources, web properties, etc. and any associated designation should be not interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, etc., rests solely with your business.
** A certification is (a) specific to the solution’s interoperability with Microsoft products and (b) based on the solution owner's self-attestation. Solutions are only certified as of the date the solution is reviewed. The solution owner controls solution functionality and capability, which might be subject to change. The inclusion of a solution in marketplace and any such designations should not be interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, etc. rest solely with your business.