Formerly known as the Microsoft Partner Network, the new name will be Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP), underscoring Microsoft’s shift in direction towards the cloud business.

Microsoft will now also categorise partners into two new qualifying levels under the new programme—Solutions Partner and Specialist/Expert.

Solutions partners.

The Solutions Partner designations demonstrate the partners’ capabilities in six solution areas aligned to how Microsoft goes to market:

  • Data & AI (Azure)
  • Infrastructure (Azure)
  • Digital & App Innovation (Azure)
  • Business Application
  • Modern Work
  • Security

These solutions areas go hand in hand with a Capability Score Model that quantifies the performance of a partner according to various criteria. The Solutions Partner designation replaces the retiring Silver and Gold competencies.

Under the new programme, Bechtle will be classed as a Solutions Partner in the areas of Data & AI (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Modern Work and Security, confirming our standing as a highly capable solutions partner for the Microsoft Portfolio.

Specialists/Experts.

The other half of the programme, Specialist/Expert, will encompass partners’ previously attained Advanced Specializations—now simply called Specializations—as well as additional expert designations such as Bechtle’s status as Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) and our membership in the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA).

Bottom line.

The new partner classifications describe the ability to meet specific customer requirements closely aligned with the most important Microsoft solutions areas. This makes it easier and quicker for customers to recognise which IT service providers offer the services they require. Bechtle’s outstanding positioning reflects our comprehensive capabilities as a long-standing Gold and Advanced Specializations Partner as well as our experience gathered from numerous digitalisation projects implemented for companies and public sector clients.