What is the difference between a Microsoft Partner and an Azure Expert MSP?

A Microsoft Partner and an Azure Expert MSP are both designations given to companies that work with Microsoft technologies and provide services to customers. However, there are some key differences between these two designations.

A Microsoft Partner is a company that has entered into a formal partnership agreement with Microsoft. Microsoft Partners come in different levels, depending on the number of competencies they have achieved and their level of engagement with Microsoft. Microsoft Partners can offer a wide range of services related to Microsoft technologies, such as consulting, implementation, support, and training. Microsoft Partners may specialize in one or more Microsoft products, such as Dynamics 365, Office 365, or Azure.

A Microsoft Partner is a services provider that is capable of helping Microsoft’s customers with their technology needs. They meet Microsoft’s requirements and are a part of the Microsoft program. These partners can provide customer success by offering service offerings such as Azure Managed Services, which allows them to manage their customers’ cloud environments.

An Azure Expert MSP is an extension of the Microsoft Partner program and focuses on highlighting customer success with Azure solutions through certified technical experts.

These MSPS have taken specific certifications that are recognized by Microsoft and offer service offerings in three tiers; Basic, Standard, or Advanced.

The highlights of this program are tailored to meet customer requirements and offer additional benefits like access to special programs from Microsoft as well as opportunities for partner-to-partner collaboration.

Microsoft Partners are skilled Azure partners who have demonstrated their commitment to customers by providing quality managed services. Microsoft Azure Expert MSP, however, goes beyond the requirements of a standard Microsoft partner. Azure Expert MSPs must meet certain criteria in order to become verified and receive proof that they are an expert on the platform. Additionally, they must show a consistent track record of deploying successful cloud projects and provide support across Azure products and services. Moreover, these experts can leverage exclusive benefits such as discounts on products and services from Microsoft as well as rewards for successful customer deployments. By becoming an Azure Expert MSP, organisations can demonstrate proof that they have met the requirements necessary to be seen as a trusted advisor for customers in the cloud space.

Azure Expert MSPs, or Managed Service Providers, are service providers that have gone through a rigorous audit process and are certified by Microsoft’s Azure team. An Azure Expert MSP is capable of providing their customers with expert cloud services and support. On the other hand, a Microsoft Partner is a company that has met the requirements set out by the Microsoft Field Partner Program to become certified in one or more of Microsoft’s products and services. These partners can offer support and guidance to their customers on all aspects of using Microsoft products and services, but they do not need to meet any specific requirements related to working with Azure.

Microsoft Azure Expert MSPs, however, are held to a higher standard. These partners must have a Gold Competency in one or more Microsoft Platforms and also meet certain qualifications related to service delivery. Additionally, they must have a Gold Cloud Platform Competency or an Advanced Specialization in order to be considered an Azure Expert MSP. The advanced specialisations are designed to ensure that these expert MSPS have the necessary expertise and knowledge needed for using Azure and other Microsoft solutions. In order to meet these high standards, MSPS must go through rigorous training and certification processes that demonstrate their proficiency with the platform.

Microsoft Partners are organisations that create optimal Microsoft services for customers. By contrast, an Azure Expert MSP is an exclusive program where MSPS must demonstrate a depth of knowledge related to the Azure platform and Atmosferas Azure technologies. This status validates their capability to deploy and manage complex cloud-based solutions. As such, the MSPS that achieve this status have access to exclusive capabilities on the Azure platform, as well as other benefits offered by Microsoft.

Additionally, Azure Expert MSPs are able to provide their clients with a better calibre of service and support, including proactive monitoring and management of Azure environments, 24/7 assistance, and incident management. Advanced services like cloud migration, disaster recovery, compliance consulting, and security consulting are also something they can provide.

Customers may have peace of mind knowing that they are working with an Azure Expert MSP who has been certified by Microsoft and has the skills, experience, and resources to offer high-quality services and support for their Azure environment.

An Azure Expert MSP, on the other hand, is a designation given to companies that have demonstrated expertise in delivering managed services on the Azure cloud platform. To become an Azure Expert MSP, a company must meet a set of rigorous requirements, including having a dedicated Azure practice, passing a third-party audit of their Azure managed services, and providing customer references that demonstrate their ability to deliver high-quality Azure solutions.

While both Microsoft Partners and Azure Expert MSPs work with Microsoft technologies, Azure Expert MSPs have a specific focus on Azure and have demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality Azure solutions through a third-party audit. Azure Expert MSPs are also required to maintain their certification through ongoing assessments and customer satisfaction surveys. This means that customers who work with an Azure Expert MSP can be confident that they are working with a company that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality Azure solutions and has made a significant investment in developing its Azure practice.

Conclusion: Azure Expert MSPs are Microsoft certified partners who have proven a high level of proficiency and experience in providing Azure-based solutions, have a strong service delivery framework in place, have access to exclusive resources, training, and support from Microsoft to better serve their customers, are obligated to maintain their certification, and provide cutting-edge services and support to clients.

Author Bio: Austin. H. Joy is working as an IT Consultant at Bitscape. It is a Dynamics ERP Development Company based in the US & Canada. He passionately writes about the trending technologies including core Microsoft CRM & ERP solutions that could strengthen the mid-size business firms with proper Employee and Customer Management, Top-notch Operational Behaviour, and Required Functionality.