Wissensdatenbank

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Essential information for your Microsoft Partnership

The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) is Microsoft’s modern partner program. It provides organizations like yours with the ability to deliver Microsoft partner services and recognizes partners for their contributions to the Microsoft ecosystem. Partners which establish a consistent track record of delivering results for Microsoft and their shared customers can use the program to earn benefits and incentives in the form of complimentary internal use licenses, CSP incentives, funding for select partner activities, and access valuable consultative opportunities with Microsoft.

On this page, we provide a brief overview of the program and explain how we simplify, explain, and guide Companial Partners through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.

If you are a Companial Partner, your PSM can help you develop a plan to get the most out of this program, and you can leverage Companial’s new Microsoft Partner Programs sub-community for education and support.

If you are not a Companial Partner, contact us to find out how we can help!

Ask our experts

At its core, the MAICPP enables companies to enroll as a Microsoft partner and leverage an extensive, tiered array of benefits and sub-programs to grow their business by serving customers with Microsoft solutions. It provides partners with access to exclusive training, technical enablement, marketing resources, licensing benefits and expert advisory services which empower them to maximize platform capabilities, deliver top quality customer outcomes, and stay competitive in an evolving digital marketplace. The program is structured to recognize and reward partners which demonstrate deep expertise and proven success in high-impact solution areas, such as AI Business Process (formerly Business Applications), AI Workforce (formerly Modern Work) Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure, and Security.

Whether you are a new entrant or an established leader in the Microsoft ecosystem, the AI Cloud Partner Program offers a clear pathway to build capabilities, showcase your expertise, and unlock new opportunities for growth. By aligning your organization with Microsoft’s strategic priorities, especially in areas like AI, Copilot, and industry-specific solutions, you position your business to thrive in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

What are the core elements of MAICPP?

  • Entry into the Microsoft Ecosystem (Membership)

Program membership unlocks access to specialized programs such as the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, which allows them to resell Microsoft solutions and deliver value-added services to customers. Enrollment in the MAICPP and is a pre-requisite to enroll in those programs.

  • Benefits packages

MCAIPP unlocks benefits packages (internal use licenses, support, advisory services and GTM resources) designed to help partners build and grow an AI/Cloud practice.

  • Solution Partner Designations

Partners which consistently demonstrate successful customer outcomes differentiate themselves by earning Solutions Partner Designations. There are currently six core designations which partners can earn, each of which aligns to one of the core Microsoft solution areas:

  • AI Business Process (formerly Business Applications)
  • AI Workforce (formerly Modern Work)
  • Data & AI
  • Infrastructure
  • Digital & App Innovation
  • Security

Earning a designation requires partners to achieve specific benchmarks which are articulated using a Partner Capability Score (PCS), which measures partners on their ability to grow Microsoft revenues, demonstrate skills and expertise via employee certifications, and consistently grow their user base.

Partners which attain all six solutions partner designations receive a Solutions Partner for Microsoft Cloud badge, recognizing capabilities across all of Microsoft’s cloud platforms.

  • Specializations

Once a partner has earned a designation, it becomes eligible to earn specializations within that designated solution area. These specializations demonstrate a higher level of excellence delivered consistently at scale, aligned to specific workloads and partner practices. Partners seeking to earn one of these specializations. Specializations include Small & Medium Business Management (AI Business Process), Finance (AI Business Process), Supply Chain Management (AI Business Process), AI & Machine Learning on Azure, Build & Modernize AI Apps with Azure and more!

These specializations help a partner further differentiate itself from competitors, and offer additional benefits and incentive opportunities for services aligned to those specializations.

Download our Mastering Microsoft Specializations for Dynamics Partners to know more about Solution Partner Designation and Microsoft Specialization
Download
  • Incentives & investments

Eligibility for Microsoft Commerce Incentives (e.g., CSP reseller incentives, activity-based incentives & funding opportunities) is governed by participation in the MAICPP. Microsoft offers an extensive suite of incentive opportunities for partners which are updated annually in the Microsoft Commerce Incentives Guide. Companial CSP resellers with sufficient Partner Capability Scores in relevant solution areas can earn rebates and co-op funds to improve their margins and grow their customer base. Partners which achieve relevant specializations and designations can qualify for additional incentives intended to generate even greater partner success.

  • Go-to-Market, Co-Sell & Marketplace

The MAICPP grants partners access to structured GTM resources, co-selling opportunities with Microsoft, and visibility in Microsoft’s commercial marketplace, offering co-branded content, solution playbooks, partner hubs, and tiered rewards based on partner growth and sub-program enrollments

Visit Companial GoToMarket Hub to learn more about Microsoft GTM resource.

  • Skilling & enablement

Partners gain access to role‑based learning, partner training opportunities, and recurring Partner Pulse/CSP Insider information streams which package assets for Copilot, agents, and solution plays. These resources reinforce PCS skilling and practice building for AI‑led offerings.

  • Partner Center

Day‑to‑day program management happens in Partner Center (e.g., designation attainment, benefits, PCS tracking, incentives eligibility, solution publishing, reimbursement claims, support).

  • Program options by partner type (services, software development companies [SDCs, formerly ISVs], MSPs)

The MAICPP is business-model agnostic with tailored tracks and programs for various partner business models including:

  • ISV Success
  • Azure Expert MSP
  • Training Services Partner Program)

This ensures that SDCs/ISVs, services partners and MSPs can develop and package AI solutions responsibly and profitably.

What benefits are available for a company with a Solutions Partner Designation for AI Business Process (formerly Business Applications)?

Partners which demonstrate success delivering Microsoft AI Business Process solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions, both AI ready, and attain the associated designation earn powerful benefits that offset costs, improve license margins, and help grow market visibility.
  • Product, support & advisory benefits

AI Business Process partners get access to free and discounted Microsoft product licenses, Azure credits, technical advisory and consultation hours, and elevated support to strengthen cloud and AI practices.

  • Brand recognition and strengthening market position

The MAICPP recognizes Dynamics partners which demonstrate measurable excellence by selling, deploying, and supporting license utilization for key AI Business Process workloads like Business Central, Finance, Supply Chain, and more. These give partners greater marketplace visibility, differentiation, customer credibility, and gated access to incentives and Microsoft sellers.

Download our Mastering Microsoft Specializations for Dynamics Partners to know more about Solution Partner Designation and Microsoft Specialization
Download
  • Incentives

The MAICPP enables designated partners to earn CSP incentives (rebate and co-op funds) which enhance partner margins and subsidize marketing activities, and special accelerator programs. These offerings boost profitability, especially for partners driving Dynamics 365 adoption, migrations, and revenue growth.

  • Marketing & Go-to-Market (GTM) benefits
Dynamics partners can leverage co-branded assets, launch kits, campaigns in a box, marketplace listings, co-sell opportunities and additional digital demand-gen resources.
  • Skilling, training & technical enablement
The MAICPP helps Dynamics partners stay ahead of evolving AI capabilities (Copilot, AI agents, industry-specific innovations) by providing AI & Copilot readiness, AI Business Process solution play enablement, workshops, bootcamps, structured courses & assessments.

Stressed out by the overwhelming amount of information to digest?  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

Companial is here to help you navigate the maze of information and guide you towards a clearer understanding of the program. 

Ask our expert

How Companial support you?

  • Companial offers curated training programs and certification pathways for both new hires and experienced professionals.

Our Learning Journeys are designed to help your team acquire the specific skills and credentials required for Solution Partner Designation and advanced specializations, with dedicated instructor support to ensure effective learning outcomes.

  • Our experts provide hands-on technical guidance, solution architecture reviews, and best practice recommendations to help you deliver high-quality Business Applications projects.

Whether you need assistance with complex deployments, migration strategies, or optimizing customer solutions, Companial’s advisory services are here to help.

  • Capability gap analysis and strategic planning
    We work with you to assess your current status against Microsoft’s latest requirements, identify areas for improvement, and develop a clear action plan. This includes mapping out certification needs, tracking deployment milestones, and preparing your organization for specialization eligibility.
  • AppSource readiness and Go-to-Market support
    Companial assists partners in developing, packaging, and publishing consulting offers and solutions on Microsoft AppSource. Our team helps you showcase your expertise, increase your visibility to potential customers, and fulfill key program requirements for specialization.
  • Community, networking, and ongoing updates
    As a Companial member, you gain access to a vibrant partner community, regular updates on Microsoft program changes, and opportunities to share knowledge and best practices. We keep you informed about evolving requirements, new incentives, and industry trends so you can stay ahead of the curve.
  • Dedicated support for Cloud & AI transformation
    From transitioning on-premises customers to the cloud to expanding your portfolio with new workloads, Companial provides the technical and business support needed to drive successful digital transformation for you & your clients through our GoModern & Road to AI programs.
Mehr dazu in der Wissensdatenbank
GoModern

Von On-Prem bis AI-ready. Wie Sie als Microsoft Dynamics-Partner wettbewerbsfähig, profitabel und relevant bleiben.

Weiterlesen
Companial
GoToMarket

Ein Wachstumszentrum für Unternehmen, das Companial-Mitglieder dabei unterstützt, die Kundengewinnung durch verbesserte Vertriebs- und Marketingeffizienz voranzutreiben.

Weiterlesen
Companial