Microsoft Partner Program Updates, Azure, Teams Growth Make for Big Year

The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t slowing Microsoft down; in fact, it’s one of the technology providers that appears to be thriving. Take the Microsoft partner program, for instance.

In early April, members of the Microsoft Partner Network got new incentives and competencies to work into their business strategies. And with so many more people working from home, Teams use is way up — a big partner opportunity.

Microsoft’s Gavriella Schuster

Channel chief Gavriella Schuster wrote a blog on April 13.

“We have been carefully considering how our partner programs can serve our partners best, as this [COVID-19] situation evolves,” she wrote. “We understand that some partners may want to accelerate their pace, while other partners may want to slow things down. Regardless, what is most important for you to know at this moment in time is that we’re listening to feedback from you, our partners, and doing what we can to help.”

Of course, Azure is a big part of any Microsoft channel play these days. Not only did we learn that Azure use continues to grow, but Microsoft rolled out a series of new “Azure Edge” services to address the needs of 5G and edge computing.

Want security updates? No problem. Microsoft introduced a new strategy to “patch people,” or better prepare them for ransomware attacks.

What is amazing is that this has all happened just in the past two months! And that’s not all. The company also took another international step (think art, fashion and fine wine) and signed a big distribution deal with ScanSource.

Take a stroll through our slide show above to get the latest Microsoft partner program happenings, cloud moves and more.