Monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update
On this page4 sections
- Impacted audience
- Partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
What’s new for Solutions Partner designations, specializations, and other Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program offerings and benefits.
Summary
This month’s updates continue to enhance partner differentiation and readiness across high-demand solution areas. Key changes include specialization updates that integrate AI capabilities, revised skilling and performance requirements, and streamlined qualification frameworks to support partner growth and agility.
Coming soon
The performance and skilling requirements for the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization will change in January 2026. Microsoft is updating this specialization to make it more accessible for a broader range of partners.
Key changes
- Lower ACR threshold: the Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) requirement will decrease from $30,000 to $7,500, totaled over three months
- Streamlined skilling validation: Partners will be able to validate required Microsoft learning coursework directly within Partner Center, removing the need to do so in the third-party audit. Skilling requirements can be met through either:
- Three (3) individuals passing the Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty certification OR
- Three (3) individuals passing the Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud learning path
The skilling requirements for the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization will change in January 2026. Microsoft is updating this specialization to make it easier to obtain.
Key changes
- Technical Assessment Removed: the Azure VMware Solutions (AVS) Technical assessment requirement will be removed from the skilling requirements
- Broadcom Certification requirements removed: the Broadcom certification requirements will also be removed, which were previously checked as a portion of the audit