Your voice continues to shape how the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program evolves. This update brings together the announcements, investments, and resources that matter most to partners right now, so you can prioritize where to focus, what to skill, and which motions to scale as AI becomes central to key workloads.
What follows highlights areas of partner opportunity, grounded in feedback from across the ecosystem and aligned to how customers are evolving their cloud and AI strategies.
Spotlight
Leading Frontier Firm transformation with Microsoft 365 E7: The partner opportunity
On March 9, 2026, we introduced our Frontier Suite, Microsoft 365 E7, and announced general availability of Microsoft 365 E7 and Microsoft Agent 365 on May 1, 2026.
For partners, the Microsoft Frontier Suite represents a services-led opportunity across the customer lifecycle, from AI advisory and solution design to agent deployment, governance, and ongoing optimization. Anchored in AI execution, security, and operational rigor, it supports repeatable monetization and positions partners to guide customers through Frontier Transformation with confidence.
Check out the Frontier Transformation Partner Hub to find resources for engaging customers with developing agentic AI solutions that align to their business needs.
Implement Agent 365 to Secure Al Apps, Copilot + Agents project ready workshop
Join this advanced course designed to equip security professionals and architects with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, secure, and govern AI agents using Microsoft Agent 365. The curriculum focuses on the security architecture, governance frameworks, and operational controls required to manage enterprise-scale AI agent deployments securely. Participants will learn how to leverage the Agent 365 control plane to enforce policies, monitor activities, and mitigate risks associated with autonomous and assisted agents.
Attend at no cost in your region:
- Asia: Tuesday, April 28, 9:00 AM–Thursday, April 30, 1:00 PM IST
- EMEA: Wednesday, April 29, 9:00 AM–Friday, May 1, 1:00 PM BST
- Americas: Wednesday, April 29, 9:00 AM–Friday, May 1, 1:00 PM PDT
Program and benefits updates
Expanded offerings in partner benefits packages available
Microsoft partner benefits packages are bundled offerings of discounted licenses, Azure credits, personalized partner consulting, and more resources to help grow your business. In February 2026, we introduced expanded updates to Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits packages, with additions across Microsoft Copilot, security, Azure credits, and new AI-powered go-to-market resources.
This overview breaks down what’s new in Q3 FY26, so you can quickly review what’s changed, where you can activate value right away, and how to align benefits with the priorities you’re driving in your business this year.
Explore the new digital incentives guide
The Microsoft Commercial Partner Incentives Guide is now available as an online experience on the Microsoft partner website. The new format provides clear navigation, faster access to current guidance, and direct paths to action.
You can search incentives by category, quickly confirm eligibility, and act swiftly on opportunities with live links that connect you to the next action.
Updated requirements for the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization
The SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization validates partner expertise in planning, migrating, and operating Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) workloads on Microsoft Azure. In January 2026, Microsoft updated the specialization to make it more accessible to partners while maintaining a strong technical bar. Review the updated requirements in Partner Center to apply or renew.
Skilling
Microsoft Partner skilling updates
Our monthly skilling blog is designed for partners who want less searching and faster access to role-specific readiness across sales, presales, and technical teams.
The latest post spotlights timely learning opportunities, including the Frontier Transformation course, Presales Cloud Week sessions in April and May, and an on-demand Azure migration and modernization session focused on agentic AI. Together, these resources support a repeatable approach to building capability and moving teams into customer-ready execution.
Discover the Partner Skilling Catalog
When skilling across multiple roles or solution areas, the hardest part is often knowing where to start. The Partner Skilling Catalog is designed to remove that complexity by giving you a structured way to find the right learning based on solution area, priority workloads, role (Technical, Presales, Sales), and course type (Project Ready, Tech Deal Ready, Sales Ready).
Build capability in LevelUp: Certification prep plus role-based learning
LevelUp brings together role-based courses, hands-on labs, and structured learning journeys so teams can skill consistently across solution areas.
For partners prioritizing Microsoft credentials, LevelUp also offers on-demand certification prep, including exam resources, practice tests, and labs. Partners can earn an exam voucher at no cost by completing a course and scoring 80% or higher on the practice test (terms apply).
Frontier Transformation course
Frontier Transformation reflects the shift from isolated AI experiments to enterprise-wide, agent-powered workflows that deliver measurable value.
This course introduces the frameworks and organizational capabilities needed to scale AI responsibly, including Work IQ, ubiquitous innovation, and observability across layers. Use it to align teams on the “why” behind your AI strategy, then connect learning to role-specific execution through LevelUp and project-ready workshops.
Skills2Win: Driving more deals in a Presales role
Presales Cloud Week, part of the Skills2Win initiative, is designed for partners to turn AI conversations into sales opportunities using real-world scenarios and case studies.
Upcoming sessions:
- Asia: Tuesday, May 5, 8:00 AM–Friday, May 8, 12:00 PM IST
- EMEA: Tuesday, May 5, 9:00 AM–Friday, May 8, 1:00 PM BST
Microsoft Azure Summit: Migrate & Modernize with Agentic AI
This on-demand session explores why now is the pivotal moment to lead customer cloud transformation and how agentic innovation can accelerate migration momentum and modernization outcomes.
Microsoft experts share practical guidance on how Azure Copilot and next-gen agents are reshaping the migration landscape so you can deliver faster, scale easier, and support long-term Azure practice growth.
Cloud and AI platforms
Accelerating Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migrations
Enterprises are accelerating Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migrations, creating opportunities for partners to build repeatable delivery motions. This post highlights new schema conversion tooling in Visual Studio Code, including AI-assisted conversion, a validation-first workflow using Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server, and guided “review tasks” supported by GitHub Copilot agent mode so you can standardize “convert, validate, remediate” as a repeatable motion across customers.
Cloud & AI Platforms SMB opportunity
New partner resources are available to support the Cloud & AI Platforms SMB opportunity. These assets provide clear guidance and tailored messaging for partners to accelerate Azure adoption with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
The materials support high-volume outreach, equip sellers to engage effectively, and support repeatable delivery and managed services motions that can deepen customer engagement and build recurring revenue.
Cloud & AI Platforms blog series
Our Cloud & AI Platforms blog series addresses the priorities partners are hearing most from customers, including modernizing applications, unifying data, and preparing for AI innovation on a trusted cloud foundation.
The series includes:
- Capturing the market opportunity
- Building the foundation for AI-powered growth
- Unifying the data platform for real-time insights
- Building an AI app and agent factory with Microsoft Foundry
- Innovating with Azure AI apps and agents
Using Microsoft Marketplace to optimize Azure spend
Join us on April 29 for this Microsoft Marketplace customer office hours session to learn practical ways to get more value from your Azure cloud commitment. The session covers how Marketplace can simplify supplier management and billing while empowering you to apply commitment dollars toward software investments. Guest partner Clazar will also demo a solution designed to identify Marketplace offerings eligible for decrement of cloud consumption commitments for Azure, so you can align spend to outcomes with more confidence.
AI business solutions and productivity
Copilot blog series: Building a repeatable SMB motion
The first two posts in our new Copilot monthly series focus on turning SMB interest into a repeatable, profitable motion.
Part one outlines how to start with Copilot Chat and move to Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, including new flexibility for monthly CSP billing. Part two builds on that foundation with guidance for creating pipeline and executing at scale, with emphasis on readiness signals, repeatable plays, governed deployment, and skilling options such as Sales Certification Weeks.
Frontier Partners: Turning AI into real business value in 2026
This post highlights how partners are embedding AI into real workflows, not isolated demos. It shares practical patterns from across the ecosystem, from Zero Trust security foundations to agent-led processes at scale, with examples from partners including adaQuest, BlueVoyant, NTT DATA, Reply, Cloudforce, and Tanium.
April update: What’s new for partners in AI Business Solutions
From new incentives and offerings to skilling and go-to-market support, here are the latest announcements designed to empower you to scale and grow with Microsoft AI Business Solutions.
Security
April update: What’s new in Security for partners
Partners building or scaling a Microsoft Security motion can use this April update as a practical checklist for what to prioritize next. It points you to new and updated resources you can apply immediately, including the Microsoft Security SMB partner hub, guidance to publish Security Copilot agents to increase discoverability in the Microsoft Security Store, and a public preview of Security Dashboard for AI that can support advisory conversations as customers operationalize AI with governance in mind. You will also find current and extended promotions across Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft 365 security offers, plus skilling and campaign assets to activate with your sellers and delivery teams.
Protecting customer trust with fraud prevention and resilience
This blog outlines practical anti-fraud best practices for CSP partners, including enforcing multifactor authentication (MFA), using the Secure Application Model, adopting granular delegated admin privileges (GDAP), and improving monitoring. Together, these actions can reduce fraud risk while protecting customers, revenue, and operations.
Identity security is the new pressure point for modern cyberattacks
Identity is now the primary pressure point in modern cyberattacks—not just which account is compromised, but what that identity can access across environments. This post shares insights from our Secure Access report and outlines what a modern, integrated approach should look like, unifying identity infrastructure, a control plane, and end-to-end identity threat protection.
New: Security and Compliance SMB campaigns
Now available in Partner Marketing Center and Partner Marketing Center Pro, the Security and Compliance SMBcampaign is designed to drive demand for integrated security and data protection using Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview suites for Business Premium. This ready-to-run and customizable campaign is built to address core SMB challenges like rising cyber threats, data risk, and evolving compliance requirements, while also preparing customers for AI adoption with security and governance in place. You get unified positioning across threat protection, data security, and compliance, plus end-to-end assets from promotion through nurture so you can launch quickly, stay consistent, and generate pipeline with less effort.
Go-to-market resources
Partner Marketing Center Pro: A unified and intuitive marketing experience
Partner Marketing Center Pro (PMC Pro)* is a centralized, AI-powered experience designed for partners to find, customize, publish, and track campaigns end-to-end. With ready-to-launch campaign assets, AI-powered customization, and built-in publishing, PMC Pro reduces time spent stitching tools so partners can focus on launching repeatable campaigns that drive pipeline.
*Partner Marketing Center Pro is available to partners who have purchased a partner benefits package, attained a Solutions Partner designation, or are enrolled in ISV Success. Partners who are not eligible for or do not require Pro capabilities can continue to access no-cost, ready-to-customize campaign content through Partner Marketing Center.
Updated Copilot for All 30% and 40% CSP promotional offers
Recent updates to Copilot for All promotional offers provide greater flexibility to partners scaling AI adoption. Changes remove the 80% Information Worker coverage requirement, lower the 40% offer threshold from 1,500 to 1,000 seats, and expand eligibility across CSP customers.
These updates reduce friction and make it easier to move customers from pilot scenarios to organization-wide Copilot deployment. For partners, this creates a more flexible and cost-effective path to drive broad Copilot adoption, extend Copilot Chat across remaining users, and accelerate customers toward secure, governed scale as part of their Frontier Transformation journey
Unlocking the profitability multiplier: Maximizing revenue with Microsoft Marketplace
Microsoft Marketplace is becoming a key growth engine for partners as customers look to simplify procurement and accelerate AI adoption. This post shares new Omdia findings on the partner revenue opportunity and outlines practical steps for software companies and channel partners to scale through Marketplace, align to committed cloud budgets, and accelerate partner-led motions.
Partner Success stories
Veeam strengthened BMC’s data resilience amid rapid expansion
As Batterjee Medical College expands hybrid education and prepares for international growth, Microsoft partner Veeam is helping the institution protect on‑premises and Azure‑based workloads with a unified data platform—improving recovery speed, reducing operational risk, and ensuring continuity for critical education systems. Understand how Veeam is working with the college to safeguard data and build a resilient foundation for future expansion.
DEFEND streamlines security for New Zealand Ministry of the Environment
New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment is modernizing its cloud security with support from Microsoft partner DEFEND. By consolidating multiple security tools into an integrated Microsoft Security ecosystem, the agency reduces operational overhead while improving visibility and cost efficiency. Learn how DEFEND helped the Ministry modernize its security posture and build a more sustainable foundation for public sector cloud operations.
TD SYNNEX equips partners to deliver AI-ready Microsoft solutions
TD SYNNEX is supporting how Microsoft partners accelerate AI adoption by connecting devices, cloud, and security into a single “Better Together” motion. Using offerings through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, the distributor provides clear paths for Windows 11 refreshes, secure Copilot foundations, and next-step adoption. Partners are gaining clearer guidance, stronger bundling, and more confidence delivering end‑to‑end Microsoft AI solutions. Explore how this approach strengthens partner readiness and customer outcomes.
Infosys modernizes giant Student Information System with Azure migration
A large U.S. school district is transitioning from on‑premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure with support from Infosys. The shift improves performance during peak usage, strengthens security, and provides a more scalable way to manage student and educator data. Discover how this cloud migration is stabilizing a critical platform and supporting future innovation.
Community
Join us for Microsoft Build
Microsoft Build returns June 2–3, 2026, in San Francisco and online. This year’s event offers two focused days of real code, real systems, and real workflows with the teams building and scaling AI. Expect hands-on sessions and a developer-first agenda designed for practical learning and connection, with a smaller, more curated in-person experience this year.
Register early so you can plan your attendance and get the most out of the keynotes, sessions, and demos.
Microsoft AI Tour sponsorship opportunities
AI Tour sponsorships give partners a powerful platform to generate measurable demand, reach Microsoft-curated audiences, and elevate their AI solutions. With a multi‑city footprint and flexible timing, partners can activate local markets, maintain continuous visibility, and scale impact across multiple events—while showcasing their partnership with Microsoft.
Review the Microsoft AI Tour Sponsorship Opportunity Guide for full package and location details and connect with the sponsorship sales team to secure your placement today.
Women in Technology: Rising together, leading forward
Check out a partner-focused recap of The WIT Network’s Igniting Excellence conference, highlighting progress, practical perspectives, and actions advancing gender equity across the Microsoft partner ecosystem. Take away insights you can apply in your own organization, whether you’re building inclusive leadership pipelines, expanding mentorship, or creating more visible opportunities for women in tech.
Keep the conversation going
These updates reflect our continued commitment to partner success across the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. From modernizing cloud foundations and advancing AI adoption to strengthening security, expanding Marketplace opportunity, and investing in skilling, we are committed to supporting strong starts, efficient scaling, and confident leadership in 2026 and beyond.
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest partner news and explore partner news in Partner Community for fresh insights on programs, incentives, skilling, case studies, Copilot, Marketplace growth, and more.