Communications

Use Microsoft’s unique position in the market as a unified communications provider to your and your customers’ advantage. Offer solutions that employ a range of cutting-edge technologies.

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View your competency status to stay on track of all your active and in-progress competencies.

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Microsoft products associated with this competency

Skype for Business

Microsoft Teams

Choose the right option for you

Every partner has their own ways of achieving success. Find your way with the option that aligns to your capabilities and business focus. Then obtain this competency by showcasing those unique abilities and paying the fee.

This competency has options available in these categories:

Skills Assessment

Put your product knowledge to the test by passing exams and assessments.

Performance

Prove your ability to meet performance goals.

Competency benefits
Competency requirements

Benefits	Silver	Gold
Receive a set of core benefits as part of your Microsoft Partner Network membership	✔	✔
Use the Microsoft Partner Economic Model to help you estimate profit and loss for new business opportunities related to: • The Systems Integrator Partner Business Case for Microsoft Lync • Partner Business Case Tool for Lync • Microsoft Cloud Solutions	✔	✔
Deepen customer relationships by becoming a provider of Skype for Business and Exchange Deployment Planning Services	✔	✔
Signature Support	✔	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Managed Reseller Incentive. Learn more about incentives.	✔	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Online Services Usage Incentive. Learn more about incentives.	✔	✔

Receive a set of core benefits as part of your Microsoft Partner Network membership
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Use the Microsoft Partner Economic Model to help you estimate profit and loss for new business opportunities related to: • The Systems Integrator Partner Business Case for Microsoft Lync • Partner Business Case Tool for Lync • Microsoft Cloud Solutions
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Deepen customer relationships by becoming a provider of Skype for Business and Exchange Deployment Planning Services
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Signature Support
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Managed Reseller Incentive. Learn more about incentives.
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Online Services Usage Incentive. Learn more about incentives.
Silver	✔
Gold	✔

Skills Assessment Options

Silver

Gold

System Integrator Option

Silver

Gold

Complete the following two steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And one of the two individuals must pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Complete the following two steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And two of the four individuals must each pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

System Integrator Option

Skills Assessment Options

Silver

Complete the following two steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And one of the two individuals must pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Gold

Complete the following two steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And two of the four individuals must each pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Performance Options

Silver

Gold

Learning Partner Option

Silver

Gold

Complete the following three steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have two Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Silver Communications competency.

You must train 200 individuals annually.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Your organization must also have one qualified solution approved through the Skype for Business Certification Program (involving IP phones, personal peripherals, meeting-room accessories, meeting-room systems, and more).

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Complete the following three steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have four Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Gold Communications competency.

You must have trained 5,000 individuals and have generated USD500,000 revenue of Microsoft Official Learning Product purchases made through Courseware Marketplace as defined in the KPI Guide. Convert this performance requirement into your local currency.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Learning Partner Option

Performance Options

Silver

Complete the following three steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have two Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Silver Communications competency.

You must train 200 individuals annually.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Gold

Complete the following three steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have four Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Gold Communications competency.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Competency benefits

Benefits	Silver	Gold
Receive a set of core benefits as part of your Microsoft Partner Network membership	✔	✔
Use the Microsoft Partner Economic Model to help you estimate profit and loss for new business opportunities related to: • The Systems Integrator Partner Business Case for Microsoft Lync • Partner Business Case Tool for Lync • Microsoft Cloud Solutions	✔	✔
Deepen customer relationships by becoming a provider of Skype for Business and Exchange Deployment Planning Services	✔	✔
Signature Support	✔	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Managed Reseller Incentive. Learn more about incentives.	✔	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Online Services Usage Incentive. Learn more about incentives.	✔	✔

Receive a set of core benefits as part of your Microsoft Partner Network membership
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Use the Microsoft Partner Economic Model to help you estimate profit and loss for new business opportunities related to: • The Systems Integrator Partner Business Case for Microsoft Lync • Partner Business Case Tool for Lync • Microsoft Cloud Solutions
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Deepen customer relationships by becoming a provider of Skype for Business and Exchange Deployment Planning Services
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Signature Support
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Managed Reseller Incentive. Learn more about incentives.
Silver	✔
Gold	✔
Eligibility for the Microsoft Online Services Usage Incentive. Learn more about incentives.
Silver	✔
Gold	✔

Competency requirements

Skills Assessment Options

Silver

Gold

System Integrator Option

Silver

Gold

Complete the following two steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And one of the two individuals must pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Complete the following two steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And two of the four individuals must each pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

System Integrator Option

Skills Assessment Options

Silver

Complete the following two steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And one of the two individuals must pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Gold

Complete the following two steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must each pass the following exams:

Or obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

And two of the four individuals must each pass the following assessment:

Practical Guidance Assessment for Voice

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on the Partner University learning paths.

2. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Performance Options

Silver

Gold

Learning Partner Option

Silver

Gold

Complete the following three steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have two Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Silver Communications competency.

You must train 200 individuals annually.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Complete the following three steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have four Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Gold Communications competency.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Learning Partner Option

Performance Options

Silver

Complete the following three steps to attain the Silver Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have two Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Silver Communications competency.

You must train 200 individuals annually.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Two individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple silver competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $1,670, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Gold

Complete the following three steps to attain the Gold Communications Competency.

1. Meet the performance requirements

You must have four Microsoft Certified Trainers who have met exam requirements for Gold Communications competency.

2. Pass the exams or certification

Four individuals must pass the following exams

Or, obtain the following certification:

MCSE: Productivity

Retired exams continue to be accepted for competency qualification a year after retirement. Click here for a list of recently retired exams.

Use Microsoft Platform Ready to find more details about application tests.

If your employees or contractors pass the competency exams, you can count those exams toward attaining multiple gold competencies.

Training content for the exams and certifications can be found on Partner University Learning Paths.

3. Pay the fee

The fee is due one time per year—no matter how many competencies your organization earns. The fee varies by location.

According to the URL that you are currently visiting, your fee would be $4,730, not including applicable local taxes and fees.

This fee will also be presented to you during the enrollment process. Your actual fee will be based on the physical location of your company. You can pay the fee here.

Communications resources

Related competencies

Resources

Ready to go Silver or Gold?

As an admin for your organization, you can manage and track your company’s competency.

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