In this series we examine the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem, its benefits, partner opportunities and where Coforge plays a role.
Did you know that Microsoft generates more than 95 percent of its business through its partner ecosystem which includes over 64,000 cloud partners? This is significant as just Microsoft’s cloud revenue is $35.1 billion as reported this last fiscal quarter.
Microsoft has thousands of partners worldwide, with more than 7,500 partners joining the ecosystem every month. This partner growth and innovation are significantly fueling Microsoft’s commercial cloud growth. This strong partnership model allows Microsoft to co-innovate and jointly go-to-market with custom solutions, benefiting both the company and its partners.*
In this issue, let’s take a look at the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program which is the hub for all these partners.
Several iterations ago, Microsoft interacted with its partners via the Microsoft’s Partner Program (MSPP), followed by the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN). Both were designed to make resources available to various types of technology organizations building their business solutions on the Microsoft platform to better serve joint customers. With the focus on AI, MPN evolved into the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program which provides access to technology, products, and resources for partners of all sizes and stages, allowing them to build and sell innovative and impactful cloud and AI solutions for customers.
The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program encompasses a vast ecosystem that includes a multitude of partners, vendors, and service providers worldwide, over 400,000 partners worldwide. These partners deliver solutions and services to customers, innovate on Microsoft technology and extend Microsoft’s reach. Microsoft partners serve customers of all sizes, across all industries and geographies. These partners contribute to making small businesses more productive, nonprofits more effective, multinationals more competitive, and governments more efficient. Partners bring technical expertise, services, or solutions, can help you transform customer’s business, improve profitability, and achieve growth Their collective efforts drive digital transformation and co-innovation, resulting in tailored solutions for various industries and scenarios.
Microsoft has a diverse ecosystem of partners, each contributing to its success in unique ways. Here are some key types of Microsoft partners:
- Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs): These partners offer cloud services and solutions to customers. They help organizations adopt and manage Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and other cloud-based technologies1.
- Distributors: Distributors play a crucial role in delivering Microsoft products and services to resellers and end customers. They handle logistics, licensing, and distribution of software and hardware1.
- Independent Software Vendors (ISVs): ISVs create and sell software applications that integrate with Microsoft products. They develop solutions for various industries and scenarios, enhancing the overall ecosystem1.
- Tool Vendors: Tool vendors provide specialized software tools, add-ons, or extensions that complement Microsoft’s offerings. These tools enhance productivity, security, and efficiency for users1.
- System Integrators (SIs): SIs design, implement, and manage complex IT solutions for businesses. They integrate Microsoft technologies into existing systems, ensuring seamless operations and digital transformation1.
These partner types collaborate with Microsoft to drive innovation, customer success, and growth. Whether it’s cloud services, software development, or system integration, Microsoft’s partner network offers a wide range of expertise and capabilities to meet diverse business needs. It’s not uncommon for a partner that has made a deep commitment to Microsoft to be involved in more than one of these partner designations. This is the case for Coforge.
Coforge is a Microsoft Tier 1 CSP, System Integrator (SI), Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP), and Advanced Specialization Partner. For more information and our Microsoft footprint, please see: Coforge-Microsoft Service Offerings.
Next time, we’ll discuss the benefits of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
