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We value partner feedback and celebrate the diversity of voices within our community as we improve the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. This blog offers expert insights, updated learning resources, and recent benefits from the last four months to support your growth. 


Announcements 

Microsoft Trustworthy AI: Helping partners unlock human potential  

Microsoft announced new product capabilities to strengthen the security, safety, and privacy of AI systems. Learn more about Trustworthy AI, why it matters to you, and the capabilities your teams should be aware of to push the envelope in innovation—while maintaining customer trust. 

Updates to Azure OpenAI Service 

Enhance your customer solutions with the latest updates to Azure OpenAI Service, featuring GPT-4o's new audio and speech capabilities. Discover the details of these exciting features and learn how they can help you create more innovative services.  

Announcing fine-tuning for customization and support for new models in Azure AI  

Learn about the new customization updates on Microsoft Azure AI, including the general availability of fine-tuning for Azure OpenAI Service GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini; new models and their relevance to you and your customers; expanded enterprise features like Azure OpenAI Data Zones; enhanced responsible AI features, output quality and security evaluations, and Protected Material Detection for Code; as well as full network isolation and private endpoint support for generative AI apps in Azure AI Studio. 

Realizing the expanded partner opportunity with the next wave of Copilot 

Our recent announcement unveils key enhancements to Microsoft 365 Copilot, including Copilot Pages and new functionalities in Microsoft 365 apps. These updates empower customers with improved productivity, collaboration, and automation. Partners can tap into new promotional offers, such as discounts for Microsoft 365 and Copilot, along with enhanced security features for customers. The announcement highlights go-to-market tools, training resources, and upcoming skilling events to help partners sell Copilot solutions and drive business outcomes. 

IDC study on partner profitability with Microsoft AI 

A recent IDC study commissioned by Microsoft highlights how Microsoft partners can unlock significant economic value through AI. Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President, Global Partner Solutions, discusses the growth potential of AI—including generative AI—and how the AI Cloud Partner Program benefits partners by enhancing productivity, profitability, and customer engagement.  

New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact™ Of Azure OpenAI Service In Reinventing Customer and Constituent Engagement 

Discover the financial benefits of deploying AI solutions with the Azure OpenAI Service through the comprehensive Total Economic Impact study, commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by Forrester. This study provides valuable insights into how enterprises can enhance customer and constituent engagement while achieving significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. With the powerful capabilities of Azure OpenAI Service, businesses can drive innovation and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. 


Community and events 

Discover new opportunities and partner solutions at Microsoft Ignite 

As Microsoft Ignite 2024 approaches, partners are presented with transformative opportunities to use AI for business innovation. The event, taking place in Chicago and online from November 18-21, will feature a range of learning experiences for technical and non-technical roles. This recent blog highlights the sessions and experiences available for partners at Microsoft Ignite, onsite and virtually.  

CSP Copilot and Microsoft 365 activation event 

Reinvent your Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) growth in the AI era with Copilot and Microsoft 365. Join us to learn about the new promotional offers across Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 E SKUs, and Dynamics 365 Business Central to help you better deliver AI and productivity value to your customers. The event will inform you about the new promotions, provide guidance and new resources to help you drive success with your customers, and outline the opportunity for partners to grow your business. 

Thriving together: the power of Microsoft partner communities 

Learn about the role of Microsoft Partner Communities and partner-led associations in fostering collaboration and innovation among partners. Read why these community-driven initiatives for sharing best practices, accessing resources, and enhancing skills are so vital to the partner ecosystem and how they empower partners with collective expertise—driving business growth and customer success.  


Program updates 

Partner Center Technical Corner: September 2024 edition 

This edition of the Partner Center Technical Corner highlights updates that enhance partner security and efficiency. Key improvements include a centralized security workspace with new roles for managing access, updated criteria for Azure fraud credits, enhanced price list change indicators, and streamlined subscription management. It also introduces better partner-to-partner subscription transfers and the requirement for multifactor authentication (MFA). The blog also offers resources and tools to help partners stay ahead of these updates.  


Benefits and offers 

Build top-of-funnel demand for your SAP RISE projects with our new assessment 

Partners with SAP specializations can now unlock more funding through Azure Migrate and Modernize pre-sales assessments.  

Support your customers with metered access to GitHub products 

You can now empower your customers to scale and provision resources on demand with access to GitHub products via Azure metered services.  

Discover tools and offers for growing your migration practice 

For partners focused on building your migration practice, Microsoft offers a unique opportunity to grow your business with a robust suite of resources and offers designed to streamline migration processes, enhance operational efficiency, and drive growth. In this blog, we discuss how you can best use these assets to enhance your services and drive success. 

Unlock the marketplace opportunity with certified software designations 

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 success in the Microsoft commercial marketplace by unlocking even more growth opportunities—like Azure IP co-sell top tier benefits and Azure partner-led offerings. Find out more about certified software designations, their benefits, and how you can secure your subsidy to become a Solutions Partner with certified software. 

Access the latest Microsoft Cloud and AI innovation with evolved partner benefits 

Microsoft is evolving partner benefits through the AI Cloud Partner Program, introducing new packages: Partner Launch Benefits, Partner Success Core Benefits, and Partner Success Expanded Benefits. Starting January 22, 2025, over 20 product licenses, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and Defender, will be added to these packages. Learn about the importance of selecting the right benefits package to enhance business growth and adapt to changing customer needs while phasing out legacy benefit options. 


Skilling  

As a Microsoft partner, you can access various training and certification resources to enhance your skills and expertise in AI, Copilot, security, and cloud solutions. Learn how to sell and position Microsoft solutions, prepare for AI Cloud Partner Program skilling requirements, and hone your technical skills with Partner Project Ready Workshops. 

Building proficiency with Microsoft partner skilling 

Ensure your team is prepared to harness the power of AI across solution plays by activating our global skilling offerings. Examples of skilling opportunities include:

Certification Week for MAICPP:

Partner project-ready technical workshops:

Microsoft 365 Copilot skilling opportunities 

Enhance and expand your skills for building and selling AI-powered, customer-centric solutions across different modalities. Visit the Microsoft Global Partner Skilling Hub to register for upcoming live events and access on-demand content across Azure, Business Applications, Modern Work, and Security, as well as sales and pre-sales partner skilling.  

NEW Level Up CSP sales and technical bootcamps 

Join us for our new bootcamp series featuring Microsoft 365 and Copilot to help CSP partners grow sales and technical capabilities. Accelerate new customer acquisitions, upsell, cross-sell, and expand with Microsoft 365 Premium SKUs, Copilot, and Copilot Studio.  

Copilot Customer Adoption | Train the Trainer 

Register for this monthly series and learn how to use the partner-led Copilot Immersion Experience, providing partners the ability to demo unique scenarios and help customers with hands-on experiences with Microsoft 365 Copilot. 


Resources 

Microsoft Copilot Adoption Kit 

The Copilot Adoption Kit can help generate ideas for how your organization can begin using AI at work to improve productivity and accomplish more. The kit includes customizable training presentations and email templates, handouts, interactive experiences, and more. Use these assets to help you and your organization enhance your workdays with AI-powered chat. 

Copilot transformation practice playbook 

Lead in the AI era with Microsoft and help customers globally transform using AI. Start by exploring our playbook for goal-oriented guidance. 

Azure Migrate and Modernize and Azure Innovate 

Discover how you can deliver better customer experiences with comprehensive resources, extensive coverage across scenarios, and tailored incentives in one easy-to-navigate hub. 

Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) 

Help your customers build an NIS2- and DORA-compliant cybersecurity baseline. Download customizable campaign in a box assets to acquire leads for your services and showcase how Microsoft Security solutions can support their compliance journey,  


Celebrating partner success 

LexisNexis elevates legal work with AI using Copilot for Microsoft 365 

Discover how LexisNexis is using Copilot to transform the way partners who develop software—often referred to as independent software vendors (ISVs)—use AI to enhance their applications. The blog post highlights the integration of LexisNexis' vast legal and compliance data with the AI capabilities of Copilot, empowering developers to create more intelligent, user-friendly solutions. This partnership aims to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and deliver significant value to customers by harnessing data and AI. 

Microsoft Fabric success stories 

The collection of partner success stories showcases how diverse organizations are using Microsoft technologies to drive digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency across various industries. Each story highlights the power of cloud solutions in facilitating growth and agility and reflects the potential of the Microsoft partner ecosystem to empower businesses in navigating the complexities of the digital landscape. 

Explore the Microsoft partner success stories site to read how partners are solving business problems and nominate your customer win for a chance to be featured. 

As the AI Cloud Partner Program continues to grow and we continue to improve our offerings, we’re excited to bring you regular updates. 

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