Bekker's Blog

Blog archive

One Big Channel

Another Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, another update on Microsoft's massive channel numbers. Last year at this time, Microsoft claimed 4,600 Gold Certified Partners, 28,000 Certified Partners and 266,000 Registered Partners. This month, Microsoft is reporting massive jumps in numbers at the Gold Certified Partner and the free Registered Partners levels, and a decline in Certified Partners.

The new numbers:

  • Gold Certified Partners: 8,000 (up 74 percent)
  • Certfied Partners: 22,000 (down 21 percent)
  • Registered Partners: 350,000 (up 32 percent)

Total: 380,000 (up 27 percent)

Posted by Scott Bekker on July 11, 2006


Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.