Microsoft have just published a document outlining some of the proposed changes to the Microsoft Partner Programme (now call the Microsoft Partner Network). The document, entitled “The Value of Earning a Microsoft Competency - Summary” gives Partners an hint at the future of the SBSC designation, as well as new information on the Advanced Competencies.

Many of the requirements and benefits of the new MPN are similar to the previous Partner Programme, and most of the details have aleady been published in one form or another. However, there are some new changes which are likely to affect Partners of all sizes; I’ve summarised some of these changes below.

As the document clearly states, the information is subject to change.

Advanced Competency
“Four Microsoft Certified Professionals with advanced credencials”

This description is under Microsoft’s ‘General Requirements’ for the Advanced Competency, the requirements for the (standard) Competency remains at 2 MCPs. It’s important to note that this is the ‘General Requirement’, implying there could be some variation between Competencies. This change is going to hit smaller, specialist Microsoft Partners hardest, as they may not even employ four members of staff, let alone four MCPs.

While it’ll be harder for them to differenciate themselves as experts in their field, it does have benefits for other groups of people. Firstly, customers are going to have an easier job identifying companies with focus in a certain area – mainly as it’ll only be Partners who have deep knowledge in a given area that can achieve the highest recognition. Secondly, this adds significant value to MCPs within an organisation, especially those with new MCTS and MCITP designations; the new generation exams are likely to be the requirements for the revised competencies moving forward.

“Your employees or contractors who pass the applicable advanced competency exams are only eligible toward one advanced competency”

Again, this is going to hit smaller partners hardest, especially those boutique partners who have deep knowledge in multiple areas. The document implies that the Partners achieving multiple Advanced Competenies will be generally employing 8+ MCPs. It also reinforces the requirement of certification within Partner organisations, and pushes the bar higher than before.

“Advanced Membership Fee”

I’m not sure how much to read into this one, but the document clearly differenciates between a standard “Membership Fee” and an “Advanced Membership Fee”. Will there be a higher cost associated with the Advanced Compentency designation? I’d be interested to hear Microsoft’s answer to this question.

Small Business Specialist Community
“The Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) designation will continue to be a Microsoft partnership opportunity in addition to the new Small Business and Medium Business Solution Provider competency offerings”

Perhaps the biggest news for AMITPRO members, will be the possible continuation of the SBSC designation in addition to the new ‘Small Business’ Competency. I’m sure many people will be delighted with this news, as there’s clearly a lot of support for the SBSC brand. It’ll be interesting to see whether the much-loved “blue-badge” will survive the transition.

It’s surprising that Microsoft have again made the SBSC an ‘exception’ to the general Partner Programme, especially as many of these changes were designed to bring the designation back in line with the other Competencies. As mentioned before, it’s important to note that the above information is subject to change, but it’s good to have an early view of the changes, and hopefully Microsoft are still listening to Partner feedback before finalising these details.

How will these changes affect your business? Will you benefit or lose from the above changes? Please share your thoughts below.