The Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) program allows partners who have different areas of specialty to be part of the program, and earn benefits while they build & grow their Microsoft practice in the cloud-first, mobile-first world through a wide range of software and benefits.
Partners join MPN because it’s good for their business.
MPN is one of the industry’s largest and most established partner programs. It’s open to organizations around that world that are interested in offering Microsoft technology to customers. Microsoft depends on its partner channel, and we work hard to make our partners successful.
Microsoft invests heavily in the partner community. When partners join MPN they get access to an unsurpassed collection of tools and resources, including: technical support, training, sales and marketing assets, use of the latest Microsoft technologies, incentives, leads, and networking.
Partner Profiles
Size: Partners vary from small one-man shops to multi-national organizations. Likewise, the customers they serve range from SMB to Enterprise.
Business models: Most partners fall into these categories:
- ISV: Application developers and independent software vendors who build on and for Microsoft technologies are increasingly relevant to Microsoft and a big focus for MPN.
- Hosters/Managed Service Provider: provide outsourced support or hosting of a customer’s IT infrastructure and/or end-user systems on a monthly fee basis. Area of opportunity for these partners is to add their own IP to gain recurring revenue.
- System Integrators: Design and deploy IT solutions based on component parts. Area of opportunity for these partners is to add their own IP to gain recurring revenue.
- Resellers/Distributors: traditional partner types; we are encouraging these partners to broaden the services they offer.
For an overview of the Microsoft Partner Network, watch this two-minute video.
Where should I start?
Network Member
A good starting point for partners who are investigating how to build a business on Microsoft technologies is to sign up as a Network Member.
It’s our introductory level, and membership is free. Simply register to get ready-to-go sales and marketing materials, support, training, and access to the MPN partner community for networking and community connections.
- Make sure the right people in your organization get the right information. Review and update your organization’s profile to help us know you better.
- Demonstrate your capabilities to customers in a customized environment. You can create custom trials and subscriptions, and track prospects while managing your cloud customers.
- You can access technical support from Microsoft and other partners on our online support forum.
- Build training plans for the latest Microsoft technologies, products, and competencies to share across your team.
- Take advantage of readily available Microsoft sales and marketing resources and keep your customers up-to-date with the latest product information.
- Experience the power of partnership and find new opportunities by linking directly to other partners. Join the conversation by participating in Microsoft’s diverse partner communities.
Microsoft Action Pack (MAPS)
Action Pack is ideal if you’re starting your Microsoft practice, and don’t yet have Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) or enough customer deployments to qualify for a competency.
Access great benefits like the latest Microsoft software to help you get up to speed quickly, training for certifications, and more. Sign up, sell your first deal and get deployments going.
- Free software to run your business. Test your great ideas first, get comfortable with the solutions and platforms, and make the jump to cloud on your schedule. For less than US $500 a year, you get Windows 10 Enterprise, Office 365 E3, Enterprise Mobility Suite, a monthly credit for Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional licenses1, and more.
- Access to world-class developer tools like Visual Studio Professional, which you can use to build apps for iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. Plus, you can get a powerful end-to-end solution when you create a free Visual Studio Team Services account which offers teams with version control, agile planning tools, continuous integration, and much more—all for use with any app, in any language.
- Receive training on core Microsoft technologies. Pre-sales support2 helps you design the right offer for customers. Post-sales technical support ensures you can fully serve your customers’ needs.
- Acquire new customers and increase profitability through digital marketing guidance and enablement from the Partner Marketing Center.
- Connect and network with other partners, round out solution offerings, and get practical advice from your peers in the MPN community.
Competency
If you have a developed practice and are actively deploying solutions based on Microsoft technology, an MPN competency is right for you.
You’re close if you already have employees or contractors who are Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) to help your organization qualify.
Demonstrate your proven expertise in delivering quality solutions in a specialized area of business. Microsoft competencies are designed to meet your customers’ needs and be recognizable to prospective ones. Join the elite tier of Microsoft Partners and stand out from your peers. To help make the most of your MPN membership, we’ve grouped competencies into six Centers of Excellence that align to your business needs.
- App Development and ISV: Application Development, Application Integration, and Application Lifecycle Management
- Cloud Platform and Infrastructure: Cloud Platform and Datacenter
- Data Management and Analytics: Data Analytics and Data Platform
- Business Applications: Cloud Customer Relationship Management and Enterprise Resource Planning
- Mobility: Enterprise Mobility Management and Windows & Devices
- Productivity: Cloud Productivity, Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions, Collaboration and Content, Communications, Messaging, and Project and Portfolio Management
What’s next?
If you have more questions about the Microsoft Partner Network, contact the Reseller Support Center at 1-800-676-7658.
Learn more about the Cloud. Visit the Cloud Profitability Toolbox.