Bekker's Blog

Blog archive

Microsoft Launches WVD Advanced Specialization

Microsoft on Tuesday launched an advanced specialization for Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), giving partners access to a new badge that highlights expertise in the newly essential area of supporting remote workers.

Advanced specializations layer on top of competencies within the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) as a way for partners to demonstrate Microsoft-sanctioned certification of their specialized skills.

Competencies are a baseline element of the MPN and Microsoft partners have used them for decades as a way to show expertise. There are currently about 19 competencies in the MPN.

Advanced specializations are newer and can only be attained after a partner already has a prerequisite competency. Microsoft currently lists 11 of the specializations, including Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop.

To attain the new Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop advanced specialization, a partner must first have a gold competency in Cloud Platform. The partner must also clear a revenue bar, document that five individuals have earned specific certifications and pass a third-party audit, which costs $2,000.

"Our newest advanced specialization will showcase your experience with implementing Windows Virtual Desktop, including deploying, optimizing, and securing virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure. This will ensure you’re prepared to meet the needs of your customers as they continue to evolve their remote work approach," said Dan Truax, general manager of Partner Digital Experiences and Programs in Microsoft One Commercial Partner, in a blog post announcing the advanced specialization.

Earlier this year, Microsoft released some Microsoft Teams-related advanced specializations, also related to the shift to remote work caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WVD is Microsoft's virtual desktop infrastructure service for remote access to Windows 7 or Windows 10 desktops and applications. The virtual desktops are hosted in Microsoft datacenters.

Posted by Scott Bekker on September 15, 2020


Featured

  • Microsoft Appoints Althoff as New CEO for Commercial Business

    Microsoft CEO and chairman Satya Nadella on Wednesday announced the promotion of Judson Althoff to CEO of the company's commercial business, presenting the move as a response to the dramatic industrywide shifts caused by AI.

  • Broadcom Revamps VMware Partner Program Again

    Broadcom recently announced a significant update regarding its VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program, coinciding with the release of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, a key component in Broadcom’s private cloud strategy.

  • Closeup of the new Copilot keyboard key

    Microsoft Updates Copilot To Add Context-Sensitive Agents to Teams, SharePoint

    Microsoft has rolled out a new public preview for collaborative "always on" agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing enhanced, context-aware tools into Teams channels, meetings, SharePoint sites, Planner workstreams and Viva Engage communities.

  • Windows 365 Cloud Apps Now Available for Public Preview

    Microsoft announced this week that Windows 365 Cloud Apps are now available for public preview. This aims to allow IT administrators to stream individual Windows applications from the cloud, removing the need to assign Cloud PCs to every user.