The Importance of Selecting the Right Microsoft Azure Partner

What are Microsoft Solution Partner Designations & Advanced Specialisation? 

Microsoft Solution Partner Designations and Advanced Specialisations is a rebranding and evolution of the previous Microsoft Partner Network competencies (Gold, Silver, Bronze), aiming to reflect a more modern, streamlined approach that aligns better with current industry trends and Customer needs. 

Both accreditations are recognition awarded by Microsoft to select Partners. They attest that a Partner has met stringent criteria set by Microsoft, showcasing their capability to deliver high-quality solutions and services on the Azure platform. 

Why is This Important to Customers?

For Customers, working with a Partner with Solution Partner Designations and Advanced Specialisations offers several key benefits: 

1. Expertise and Reliability: An accredited Partner has a proven track record and verified expertise. 

2. Quality Assurance: The rigorous criteria for obtaining and maintaining these accreditations mean that the Partner is committed to consistently delivering high-quality services on the Azure platform. 

3. Strategic Guidance: Partners are not just service providers but strategic advisors who can help you navigate the complexities of cloud adoption and transformation. 

4. Access to Latest Technologies: Partners have direct access to the latest Microsoft technologies, tools, and resources, ensuring that your Azure services solutions are built using recommended Microsoft best practices. 

How are Solution Partner Designations Obtained?

Obtaining a Solution Partner Designation is no small feat. It involves a rigorous process where Partners must demonstrate their skills, growth, and success in implementing Microsoft Azure solutions. The key steps include: 

1. Proven Competency: Partners must exhibit deep expertise in specific areas of Microsoft Azure technology. This involves achieving Azure certifications and undergoing training for employees. 

2. Performance Metrics: Microsoft evaluates Partners based on their performance metrics such as net new Customer adds, growth of Azure consumed revenue in the trailing 12 months, plus a wide range of Azure services deployed for Customers. 

3. Continuous Improvement: Partners must commit to ongoing training and development to maintain their status, ensuring they are always at the forefront of Azure technology and the evolution of the platform. 

What are Advanced Specialisations? 

Microsoft Advanced Specialisations are a validation of our deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success in delivering high-quality solutions in Microsoft Azure. It is awarded to Partners who meet a stringent set of requirements, including passing an externally conducted audit, providing Customer references, and our employees achieving Azure certifications. A Microsoft Advanced Specialisation demonstrates that we have the capability and expertise to help Customers achieve their business objectives on Azure. 

Our current Advanced Specialisations include the following: 

• Microsoft Azure VMware Solution – this specialisation validates our capability to deploy and manage the Azure VMware Solution, and help Customers migrate on-premises VMware workloads to run VMware natively on Azure 

• Infra and Database Migration – this demonstrates our expertise in migrating and optimising Windows Server and SQL Server-based workloads, and production workloads running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or SUSE virtual machines, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, CassandraDB, or MongoDB databases to Microsoft Azure. 

• The Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop specialisation validates our deep expertise in deploying and scaling virtualised desktops and applications on Azure using Azure Virtual Desktop. 

How are Advanced Specialisations Obtained? 

Similar to Solution Partner Designations there are goals and targets that a Partner must meet before being eligible for an Advanced Specialisation. Advanced Specialisations are also directly aligned to Solution Partner Designations. So it’s necessary to have the corresponding Solution Partner Designation before being able to attain any of the Advanced Specialisations which are broadly aligned across Azure in the following categories: Core (Infrastructure), Data and AI, Digital and Application Innovation, and Security. 

Our Solution Partner Designations and Advanced Specialisations 

Our Microsoft Solutions Partner Designations are a testament to our commitment to delivering outstanding cloud solutions and services for Customers. We hold four designations currently. 

Our designations include: 

Infrastructure: relates to our abilities to deploy, manage and optimise Azure infrastructure 
Data & AI: highlights our proficiency in implementing Azure-based data and AI solutions, empowering our Customers with the ability to leverage data-driven insights and advanced analytics to drive business growth. 
Digital & App Innovation: which demonstrates our expertise in application modernisation. This can vary from transforming legacy applications or building cloud-native solutions in Azure. 
Security: recognising our capabilities in deploying Azure security solutions, ensuring that our Customers are protected from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. 

As one of the few Microsoft priority Azure Partners who can deliver services across all four Azure Solution Partner designations, we are uniquely positioned to offer end-to-end solutions across Azure. Our extensive experience, combined with our Microsoft accreditations, makes us an ideal Partner for any organisation looking for assistance and guidance on their Azure journey. The importance of picking the right strategic Microsoft Azure Partner cannot be underestimated, no matter where you are on that journey. 

Our team of certified experts can help you through every step of your cloud adoption journey, ensuring that you achieve your business goals. We have been 100% focused on Azure since its inception and this has allowed us to develop unparalleled expertise, making us one of the leading UK Microsoft Partners. Our experience spans over 15 years, during 

which we have successfully assisted some of the largest enterprises with their Microsoft Azure adoption. With our Microsoft Solution Partner Designations and Advanced Specialisations and enrolment in elite programs like the Azure Migration & Modernisation Program, we bring enterprise-scale thinking to businesses of all sizes. Whether you are just starting your journey to the cloud or looking to evolve or optimise your existing Azure environment, our agility and deep technical knowledge mean we can mobilise quickly to meet your needs.