Synthetic intelligence is a defining expertise of our time. Over the previous 12 months we’ve begun to see the way it can unlock profound prospects for people, organizations and society — and it’s clear that we’ve solely scratched the floor.
For Microsoft and our companions throughout industries, AI presents a generational second to reimagine the capabilities that software program and providers can present. Our purpose at Microsoft is to innovate and democratize our breakthroughs in AI — and the chance for companions is much larger than the sum of AI applied sciences themselves.
For this State of the Accomplice Ecosystem second, we’ll share how companions are seizing the alternatives that AI presents and making its promise actual for organizations internationally. We’ll spotlight companions who’re constructing AI-powered options to innovate throughout industries, together with three companions who’re:
- Serving to folks and organizations obtain, in months, what as soon as might need been a multi-year endeavor.
- Innovating in larger training by streamlining work in advertising, admissions and scholar advising.
- Empowering real-time resolution making on the level of impression throughout the availability chain.
First, we’ll take a look at how Microsoft is empowering our companions to innovate, construct and differentiate with AI by a mix of expertise developments, an {industry} main companion program and true market differentiation. Throughout this time of AI transformation, there has by no means been a larger time to be a Microsoft companion, and our companions are absolutely embracing this new alternative.
Unprecedented momentum: the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program
Microsoft is driving innovation in generative AI, with new Azure OpenAI Companies and an increasing portfolio of Copilot choices. At this time, we provide probably the most complete industrial portfolio out there with AI infused all over the place from the cloud to the sting, and throughout each answer space.
Companions can faucet into all this innovation by the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program. By means of analysis, partnership, and new investments, we’re bringing companions the capabilities and advantages to assist them empower prospects of each dimension, in each {industry}.
Simply as AI capabilities are infused all through our expertise portfolio, AI advantages are wired all through the companion program. And today we’re asserting enhancements to allow companions to create an AI-powered future, together with:
- The growth of AI skilling, boot camps and occasions
- New advantages packages with product enhancements like Microsoft 365 developer, elevated Azure credit, and Visible Studio enterprise, to help AI apply progress
- New designations for companions to determine licensed AI options or methods to distinguish themselves.
This builds on the unimaginable momentum we’ve seen since we introduced the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program final July. Actually, the Microsoft AI Transformation Accomplice Playbook outlining new prospects with AI has been downloaded over 35,000 occasions. Our free go-to-market asset, the Period of AI advertising campaign-in-a-box, has been downloaded over 13,250 occasions.
Today greater than 13,000 companions constructing options with Microsoft Azure AI, serving greater than 53,000 prospects with generative AI capabilities alone. Our companion ecosystem is rising to satisfy demand with a virtually 250 % improve in the variety of generative AI-related companions previously eight months.
Once you add that up, it factors to a 12 months of exponential innovation and progress for companions, and we’re persevering with to develop new methods to help this progress curve. Listed below are some specifics on the updates we’re making to the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program within the coming months.
Program updates, together with new designations and certifications for companions
Options companion designations and specializations are a method we assist companions differentiate themselves out there. Designations and certifications assist to confirm abilities and validate the effectiveness of options so prospects can discover the companion and expertise that’s proper for his or her wants.
To acquire designations and specializations, companions should meet skilling and efficiency necessities, and supply buyer proof to display their capabilities — and companions have embraced this chance with Microsoft AI. We now have seen 58 % progress since final July in companion designations for Azure Information and AI options, and 172 % progress in companion specializations for the Construct and Modernize AI apps with Azure and AI and Machine Studying designations.
To construct on this momentum, as we speak we’re asserting a number of new designations for companions throughout software program, providers and coaching.
A brand new set of designations for companions who develop software program: Options Accomplice with licensed software program
At this time, we’re happy to announce the final availability of Options Accomplice[i] with licensed software program[ii] designations. Licensed software program designations present a possibility to higher join with prospects and to unlock further advantages from Microsoft.
By turning into a Options Accomplice with licensed software program, companions can differentiate their answer, improve their discoverability within the Microsoft Industrial Market, join with extra prospects, and benefit from advertising and branding assets designed to assist speed up income progress in a quickly increasing market.
There are two pathways to turn out to be a Options Accomplice with licensed software program: answer areas and Business AI:
- Answer areas. To turn out to be a Options Accomplice[i] with licensed[ii] software program for answer areas, a companion’s software program should meet readiness and technical necessities and display a observe document of buyer success. Answer space designations embody Azure, Enterprise Functions, Fashionable Work and Safety.
- Business AI. To turn out to be a Options Accomplice with licensed software program for Business AI, along with the necessities above, a companion’s answer should additionally meet an industry-specific problem aligned with the Microsoft Business Cloud situations and embody a Microsoft AI functionality. At present, companions can attain the next licensed software program designations for Business AI: Healthcare AI, Retail AI, Monetary Companies AI, Manufacturing AI and Sustainability AI.
Greater than 75 companions with options throughout all 5 industries and from world wide have participated within the public preview of the designation, together with Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Eire, India, Canada and america. There are 49 options presently licensed with an extra 27 in progress.
New Coaching Companies Options Accomplice designations
We’re additionally releasing new designations for companions who present coaching providers. Beginning April 10, companions who qualify for Options Accomplice for Coaching Companies designations will be capable to full enrollment.
Certified companions will obtain designation-specific badges distinguishing their providers from different companion sorts inside the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program. These badges drastically improve buyer discoverability, making it simpler for them to establish companions with distinctive experience and a confirmed observe document of supply high quality coaching.
New Small and Medium Enterprise (SMB) paths for Azure and Safety Options Accomplice designations
Based mostly on companion suggestions, we’re investing in our small- and mid-sized enterprise ecosystem and making a pathway for companions who deal with delivering options for SMB prospects throughout Azure Information & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure and Safety. Later this 12 months, we are going to introduce devoted SMB paths for Options Accomplice designations for Azure and Safety, including to our present SMB paths for Enterprise Functions and Fashionable Work.
For companions who serve smaller companies, this creates an thrilling new alternative — a brand new strategy to qualify for present Options Accomplice designations, giving extra companions entry to the merchandise, go-to-market assets, help, and advisory advantages that include these designations. The brand new SMB paths will differentiate companions who can meet buyer wants and drive buyer success by validating these companions’ capabilities in our Azure and Safety answer areas.
Extra particulars for the SMB paths for Azure and Safety can be obtainable within the coming weeks.
An replace on the Assist Companies Options Accomplice designation
At this time we’re asserting that companions with a Options Accomplice for Assist Companies designation will quickly obtain unique new advantages, together with paid help settlement pricing and entry to a knowledge-based library of curated supplies designed to assist companions resolve incidents rapidly and effectively, along with customer-facing badging. Basic availability and extra particulars will come later this 12 months.
Equipping companions by AI skilling
Fast innovation with AI expertise has created an elevated demand for companion skilling for each pre-sales and technical roles. Responding to companion suggestions, we’ve launched a breadth of Microsoft AI-focused skilling workshops, boot camps and coaching occasions. Since July 2023, greater than 350,000 companion personnel have additionally turn out to be expert pre-sales and technical depth learners for Microsoft AI, Copilot and Material.
Microsoft AI companion coaching roadshow
In March, we launched an in-person coaching sequence referred to as the Microsoft AI Accomplice Coaching Roadshow to focus on six cities globally by June, throughout India, the Bay Space, Germany, Japan and Brazil. Our inaugural occasion in India had 1,500 attendees from 40 companion organizations with 96 % of contributors agreeing that the occasion was priceless and 94 % indicating they gained new abilities to achieve success of their roles. The roadshow is concentrated on in-person coaching on AI, focusing on 270 companion organizations, and features a keynote session highlighting the distinctive worth of Microsoft AI, Material and Copilot for Microsoft 365, adopted by a gross sales excellence and technical excellence tracks.
Copilot for Safety upcoming launch and companion skilling
To help our companions and prospects in securing their companies, we’re excited to announce the basic availability of Microsoft Copilot for Safety in all commerce channels, together with Cloud Answer Supplier (CSP) channel, on April 1, 2024. We initiated an lively Copilot for Safety companion neighborhood at Encourage final 12 months, which has since grown to greater than 1,000 contributors. Over the previous six months, Microsoft has engaged with greater than 100 Managed Safety Service Suppliers (MSSP) and Impartial Software program Distributors (ISVs) in a Copilot for Safety Accomplice non-public preview. Upcoming safety skilling occasions embody:
- Microsoft Copilot for Safety Accomplice Boot Camp – Helps contributors perceive how Microsoft Copilot for Safety allows safety analysts to maneuver on the velocity and scale of AI by augmenting the human expertise. Beginning April 16.
- Menace Safety and Incident Response with Microsoft Sentinel Workshop – Individuals will discover ways to deploy and join this SIEM and SOAR answer to totally different knowledge sources and use clever safety analytics and menace intelligence capabilities for assault detection, menace vulnerability, proactive searching and menace response. April 22-25.
New AI skilling for gross sales/pre-sales and technical depth
- Azure OpenAI Workshop – Designed to assist contributors deepen their understanding of Azure OpenAI Companies, that is tailor-made for builders and knowledge scientists aiming to do extra with much less. Beginning April 16.
- Microsoft Material Workshop – Individuals will be taught extra about this complete suite of providers, together with knowledge lake, knowledge engineering and knowledge integration, multi functional place. And discover ways to implement this easy-to-use product that’s designed to simplify analytics wants of enterprises. Beginning April 8.
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 Pre-Gross sales, Deployment and Adoption Bootcamp – Individuals will discover how Copilot for Microsoft 365 supplies real-time clever help, enabling customers to boost their creativity, productiveness, and abilities. Beginning March 26.
New Accomplice Advantages
On Jan. 22, Microsoft launched three new advantages packages: Accomplice Launch Advantages, Accomplice Success Core Advantages and Accomplice Success Expanded Advantages. Goal-built to satisfy the numerous wants of companions at totally different levels of progress and assist companions scale their enterprise by a portfolio of key Microsoft advantages, the packages can be found for buy at a major low cost for companions.
These refreshed advantages comply with companions by each factor of the companion journey: from creating their options, to go-to-market, to differentiating their organizations within the market. Past the three new packages, companions can proceed to pursue Options Accomplice designations and specializations to distinguish their organizations within the Microsoft Industrial Market and entry further product and help advantages. Companions who develop software program IP may faucet into ISV Success, a group of assets that assist speed up software program answer improvement and amplify gross sales.
The suggestions on the brand new packages has been extremely constructive, and we proceed to take heed to companion suggestions and discover new methods to spend money on our companions.
Replace on Copilot for Cloud Answer Suppliers
On Jan. 16, Copilot for Microsoft 365 turned usually obtainable throughout all gross sales channels, together with by our Cloud Answer Suppliers. Basic availability of Copilot for M365 opened a wealth of quick alternatives for companions to ship end-to-end providers to assist prospects obtain a easy transition into an AI-powered group.
One Microsoft distribution companion, TD SYNNEX, has already engaged greater than 2,000 companions in its enablement journey for Copilot for Microsoft 365, demonstrating the {industry}’s eagerness to harness the potential of generative AI. With greater than 500 people licensed in this system, TD SYNNEX supplies its companions with the technical and operational experience, options and assets to assist companions leverage Copilot’s capabilities and achieve a aggressive edge.
From imaginative and prescient to actuality: companions are delivering AI options world wide
We’re dedicated to constructing AI capabilities throughout the Microsoft cloud, guided by our Accountable AI ideas. Our companions allow us to scale and ship these applied sciences to each group and each individual on the planet. We anticipated some outstanding innovation on this space, and in simply over a 12 months we’ve been amazed by the outcomes and impression companions are reaching world wide.
Listed below are a number of the methods Microsoft companions are creating differentiated options and serving to prospects remodel their enterprise processes throughout industries.
Accenture, along with Avanade, is working with Amadeus to develop a generative AI-powered interactive assistant utilizing Microsoft applied sciences, together with GPT fashions from Azure Open AI Service, Microsoft 365 and Groups, to permit company vacationers to orchestrate complicated travel-related duties utilizing solely pure language.
Anthology Inc is offering AI-powered innovation for larger training by its scholar success and lifecycle engagement answer that’s constructed on Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The Atlassian product suite — together with Confluence, Trello, Jira and Atlas — improves productiveness and collaboration. As a part of the Microsoft Copilot Early Entry Program, Atlassian enhanced its apps to empower customers to trace duties, resolve points and handle initiatives seamlessly.
Firms use Blue Yonder for end-to-end provide chain administration. Blue Yonder, constructed on Azure, makes use of AI and ML to supply real-time decision-making energy and workflows that assist companies fulfill orders and reply rapidly to shifting market circumstances.
CallMiner’s AI-driven platform empowers organizations to ingest and analyze each dialog that occurs within the contact middle and past to uncover insights, act, and drive transformational change.
Datadog integrates with all main Azure providers, together with Azure OpenAI Service. Now prospects can higher optimize prices, troubleshoot points and monitor the efficiency of their AI-powered functions.
EY labored with Microsoft to create a generative AI chatbot to reply payroll questions from workers throughout the 159 international locations and 49 languages that EY purchasers embody.
Icertis Contract Intelligence Copilots are offering prospects with assistive and generative pure language capabilities that lower by legalese and switch contracts into interactive property that ship insights and automation to drive companies ahead.
Intapp is enabling 1000’s of monetary {and professional} providers corporations to harness the intelligence of their professionals by AI-powered software program options.
LTI Mindtree is leveraging generative AI, powered by GitHub Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service, to speed up the migration of legacy apps from on-premises to the cloud. Their methodology automates the creation of recent cloud structure, code conversion and documentation technology, leading to a median discount of 46 % in migration time.
Sight Machine works with producers to make their companies stronger, extra sustainable and extra resilient. To higher help producers’ knowledge accessibility wants, Sight Machine used Azure OpenAI Service to harness generative AI (GPT-4) and to develop Manufacturing facility Copilot.
Veeam Software program, lately introduced an prolonged, five-year strategic partnership with Microsoft to innovate new options for safeguarding prospects by integrating Veeam’s product household and Microsoft Copilot and AI providers.
Trying forward: limitless alternatives for AI innovation
We now have seen great progress as companions seize the second and switch the promise of AI right into a actuality world wide. At this time, we’ve moved from speaking about AI to making use of AI at scale in methods nobody may have imagined only a few months in the past.
Microsoft is infusing AI throughout each layer of its tech stack, creating new methods to energy organizations and industries, and unlocking new alternatives to ship transformational worth to prospects.
Key to creating all this a actuality are the capabilities, providers, product innovation and depth of {industry} information delivered by our companions. Microsoft’s mission is to empower each individual and each group on the planet to attain extra. Our companions allow us to ship on that dedication, in each buyer phase, each geography, daily.
[i] “Options Accomplice” refers to an organization that could be a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Accomplice Program and should provide software program, providers, and/or options to prospects. Reference to “Options Accomplice” in any content material, supplies, assets, net properties, and many others. and any related designation ought to be not interpreted as a suggestion, endorsement, assure, proof of effectiveness or performance, a dedication or another sort of illustration or guarantee on the a part of Microsoft. All choices pertaining to and associated to what you are promoting wants together with however not restricted to methods, options, companion choice, implementation, and many others. relaxation solely with what you are promoting.
[ii] A certification is (A) particular to the answer’s interoperability with Microsoft merchandise and (B) based mostly on self-attestation by the answer proprietor. Options are solely licensed as of the date the answer is reviewed. Answer performance and functionality are managed by the answer proprietor and could also be topic to vary. The inclusion of an answer in market and any such designations shouldn’t be interpreted as a suggestion, endorsement, assure, proof of effectiveness or performance, a dedication or another sort of illustration or guarantee on the a part of Microsoft. All choices pertaining and associated to what you are promoting wants together with however not restricted to methods, options, companion choice, implementation, and many others. relaxation solely with what you are promoting.
