Stephen Boyle
Vice President, Microsoft US Partner Group
Thank you for being a Microsoft partner, and your commitment to making Microsoft part of your business. I have heard from many partners that they want to better understand the market, the business models, and the Microsoft products and technologies that can propel their cloud practices forward, profitably. As the Vice President for the US Partner Group, your success is important to me. I am pleased to provide you with this update about your opportunities and resources.
New eBook series helps you succeed and be profitable in the cloud
The first of five Modern Microsoft Partner eBooks was just released, and focuses on the compelling evidence around the cloud opportunity. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a value added reseller, systems integrator, IT consultant, managed service provider, or independent software vendor, you’ll find valuable insights and best practices that apply to your business. Take advantage of our assessments, business plan templates, financial models, and more now, and look for four more eBooks to be released between now and July.
- Learn more about the new Modern Microsoft Partner eBooks
- Assess your business and build your cloud plan
- Cloud profitability blog series
New ways for you to be recognized for your work on cloud subscriptions with customers
The Digital Partner of Record process for cloud subscriptions has been the primary path for partners to earn cloud-based competencies and benefits. We have introduced new ways for your work on a cloud subscription to be recognized, including the FastTrack Onboarding Center and Commerce Platform (for Cloud Solution Provider [CSP] subscriptions).
- Learn more about cloud performance measurement and recognition
- How to get started with the cloud competencies
- Understanding the Cloud Solution Provider program models
Increase customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty through cloud adoption
Encourage your customers to adopt and utilize their cloud services to help them recognize the lifetime value of their cloud investments. This creates a continuous revenue stream for you that increases customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. The Cloud Adoption Profitability playbook is an essential resource for all partners that outlines best practices and scenarios for Office 365, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.
- Download the Cloud Adoption Profitability Playbook
- Use FastTrack resources and guidance with your customers
- MPN benefits that help you accelerate deployment and increase consumption
We’re making investments in new partner opportunities
As cloud spending continues to increase, so do your opportunities to deliver high-value services and solutions to customers. We’re enabling partners across the spectrum of business models—resale services, project services, managed services, and IP services—through investments in channel tools and resources like the new Azure IoT Practice Building Portal and a new online experience for ISV partners and app developers. And, technology innovation like the enhanced performance, scalability, and security built into SQL Server 2016 and the security and privacy in Microsoft Azure help you address customer needs head-on.
- The Internet of Things partner opportunity
- Investments in developer partners
- Watch the Data Driven SQL Server 2016 event on demand
- Microsoft Azure Trust Center
Your profitability and opportunities will be the focus at WPC 2016
Partner profitability and opportunity will be front and center at the 2016 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Canada this July. At WPC 2016, you’ll hear from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and in the Microsoft North America General Session, you’ll get a deeper look and guidance about how we move forward together. I hope you’ll plan to join my team and me for our annual partner business and sales conference.
Companies like yours that have made the decision to partner with us are vital to our business. I am excited about continuing to work with you and the US Partner Community and move forward, together.
