Monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update
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.
- Impacted audience
- Partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
Changes to Specializations and Solutions Partner Designations
As of February 13, 2026, Specialization percentage growth calculations round to the nearest percent. This means that a partner with a growth rate of 34.52% rounds to 35%. This will positively impart partners in meeting the performance criteria for the following specializations:
- Microsoft Low Code Application Development
- Intelligent Automation
- Business Intelligence
- Small and Midsize Business Management
- Adoption and Change Management
- Teamwork Deployment
As of February 27, 2026, the customer success - usage growth metric user interface for the Business Applications Solutions Partner designation is updated. When you select View Details in Partner Center, you'll be able to see the score calculation and if the baseline threshold is met. This enables you to gain a better understanding of where their performance is in line with the criteria. This isn't a change to the metric, just the visualization.
Specializations: Frequently Asked Questions
To help partners more easily find answers to common questions related to Azure Specializations, we’ve published the FAQ in the Specializations overview site on MS Learn.
This FAQ brings together guidance on common procedural topics such as scheduling, eligibility scenarios, and what to expect at different stages of the specialization process. It's intended to complement existing documentation and help partners quickly self-serve answers without needing to open a support request.
Partners are encouraged to review the FAQ before submitting questions, as it addresses many of the scenarios that commonly come up during specialization planning and execution.