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Marching Orders 2019: Look at Azure and AppSource

What are the top steps Microsoft partners can take to help their businesses succeed in 2019? We put that question to top experts, including Toby Richards, General Manager, Partner GTM and Programs, Microsoft.

Going into 2019, we're hoping more and more commercial partners, including services partners and independent software vendors, take advantage of the Microsoft portfolio of go-to-market services. Partners should focus on attaining technical competencies and delivering validated solutions in order to remain competitive.

In the past year, Microsoft has released new programs that help partners differentiate themselves in the marketplace, including the Azure Expert MSP program, the release of the company's security competency later this year, and advanced specializations in the area of SAP solutions on Azure and Azure Stack partners. I encourage partners to take advantage of these programs that work in tandem with Microsoft to differentiate.

By going to market with Microsoft, partners will have access to new and improved partner referral and solution marketplace capabilities (Azure Marketplace and AppSource); access to the Cloud Solution Provider program that allows partners to package value-added services with Microsoft cloud platforms for fully integrated solutions; earned benefits that connect partners with regional marketing services to create awareness of new solutions; and the opportunity for connection to Microsoft sales teams through partner solution co-selling.

Creating new partner-to-partner market opportunities that deliver on integrated solutions for small and large businesses, and which address unique industry solution needs, will be a key integrator for success in the coming year. If partners use these resources to go to market with Microsoft and each other, opportunities to excel with new solution design, geographic expansion, and new business growth opportunities are sure to follow.

Toby Richards is general manager for Partner GTM and Programs at Microsoft.

Posted by Toby Richards on January 24, 2019


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