Manage membership with Microsoft in Partner Center
Appropriate roles: Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin
Through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, Microsoft provides benefits, offerings, and incentives for partners. Membership workspace in Partner Center is a single stop shop where you can manage your partnership with Microsoft. We offer multiple programs for different types of partners. Through your partnership with Microsoft, you can gain access to an ecosystem of resources, including key software licenses and support services. These benefits can be redeemed from Benefits workspace and can include Azure Credits, Cloud Services, product licenses, technical consultation, developer tools, and marketing benefits including customer-facing badging available from Logo Builder.
Prerequisite to managing membership in Partner Center
To manage membership in Partner Center, you must complete two steps:
- Join the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
- Ensure your Partner Center Account is verified: When you enroll in a new offering in Partner Center or change legal details in your business profile, Microsoft verifies the information that you provide, such as your company name, company address, and primary contact details.
User role to manage Membership workspace
To manage your membership, in Partner Center, you must have Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin role in Partner Center. Account admin in your organization can give you relevant access. For more information, see: Roles, permissions, and workspace access for users.
Here are the steps, which anyone with Account Admin in your organization can follow to give Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin role:
- Sign in to Partner Center User Management Page directly OR select the Settings (Gear icon) from right top corner of the Partner Center > Account Settings > User Management page.
- Select the user whom you want to give Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin role.
- Select the Role with name - Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin and select Update.
Explore different paths
Microsoft provides different offerings for partners with different business models. Explore your options based on the path you're interested in:
Services partner
For Services partners, Microsoft offers the following programs:
| Offer Name | Description of Offer | Cost / Price of Offer | Benefits provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner Launch Benefits | Kick-start your growth as a Microsoft partner with Partner Launch Benefits. This offer empowers you to discover, use, and test Microsoft products and includes Microsoft Azure credits, as well as licenses for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Dynamics 365 Business Central and Sales Enterprise, and Visual Studio Professional. Get started with this cost-saving package and access the tools you need to build high-performing solutions. | $345 USD or equivalent in local currency | Link to Partner Launch benefits |
| Microsoft Action Pack (will be retired on January 21, 2025) |
This benefits package will be retired on January 21, 2025. Starting January 21, 2025, no fresh purchases or renewals will be allowed. It is our entry level program for partners who provide services and won't be updated with new product licenses being added to partner benefits packages, Solutions Partner designations, or specializations from January 22, 2025. | $475 USD or equivalent in local currency | Link to MAPS benefits |
| Partner Success Core Benefits | Use Partner Success Core Benefits to strengthen your cloud and AI practice. Tap into a strong foundation of product, support, and advisory benefits to create and expand your offerings including product licenses, Azure credits, technical presales and deployment hours, technical support and consultation and Signature Cloud Support incidents. This benefits package will be updated with new product licenses from January 22, 2025. | $895 USD or equivalent in local currency | Link to Partner Success Core Benefits |
| Partner Success Expanded Benefits | Scale your business with Partner Success Expanded Benefits. This comprehensive package contains in-demand benefits and tools for organizations that are ready to expand even further and deepen their partnership with Microsoft. This package is recommended for partners who require a significant amount of product benefits and support, especially those who might be migrating from legacy silver and gold benefits. This benefits package will be updated with new product licenses from January 22, 2025. |
$3,995 USD or equivalent in local currency | Link to Partner Success Expanded Benefits |
| Solutions Partners Designation | Solutions Partner designations are aligned to Microsoft solution areas and include incremental benefits - so you can stand out from the competition and increase your customer reach. You can demonstrate your organization's proven capabilities to customers with easily identifiable badging. | $4,730 USD or equivalent in local currency | Solution Partner Designation Benefits Guide |
| Specializations | When you earn Solutions partner designation, you can further differentiate by attaining the further differentiated badging and benefits with specializations. These specializations align to the Microsoft Cloud and display your deep technical expertise. | No extra cost (Need Solutions Partner designation (SPD) program as base) | Specialization Benefits |
| Azure Expert managed service provider (MSP) | After you earn Solutions Partner designation in all three Azure-related solution areas (Data and AI, Digital and App Innovation, and Infrastructure), this offering provides our most capable Azure MSPs full support to help drive revenue for themselves and their customers. | No extra cost (Need SPD program as base) | Azure Expert MSP benefits |
| Legacy Silver (will be retired on January 21, 2025) |
This benefits package isn't available for new purchases. However, if you were silver partner with Microsoft as of September 2022, you'll be able to renew your legacy silver benefits package until January 21, 2025. This benefits package won't be updated with new product licenses being added from January 22, 2025. | $1,670 USD or equivalent in local currency | Remains same as you achieved as of Sep 2022. |
| Legacy Gold (will be retired on January 21, 2025) |
This benefits package isn't available for new purchases. However, if you were gold partner with Microsoft as of September 2022, you'll be able to renew your legacy gold benefits package until January 21, 2025. This benefits package won't be updated with new product licenses from January 22, 2025. | $4,730 USD or equivalent in local currency | Remains same as you achieved as of Sep 2022. |
ISV partners
For partners that develop software, Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partners, Microsoft offers the following programs:
| Offer Name | Description of Offer | Cost of Offer | Benefits provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISV Success Build and Publish | This program is designed to help early-stage ISVs innovate rapidly, build well-architected applications, publish to the Microsoft commercial marketplace, and grow their sales. | Free for the first year. $1,500 USD or equivalent in local currency for the second year onward. | ISV Success Build and Publish benefits |
| ISV Marketplace Rewards | Once you have transactable app published, this program is offered to all partners at no cost. This program provides targeted support for all your offers with marketing, sales, and technical benefits. | Free | Marketplace Rewards benefits |
| Solutions Partner with certified software | Once you have demonstrated success with your solution, validate its capability, increase discoverability with Microsoft customers and sellers, and receive go-to-market, sales, and marketing benefits. | Costs vary and apply only if an independent auditing partner is necessary during the application | Solutions Partner with certified software benefits |
Important
Intended for general information purposes only as a high-level overview of planned upcoming certified software designations. Program information herein is subject to change, without notice.
* Solutions Partner refers to a company that is a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and can offer software, services, and/or solutions to customers. Reference to "Solutions Partner" in any content, materials, resources, web properties, and so on, and any associated designation should be not interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs, including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, and so on, rest solely with your business.
** A certification is (a) specific to the solution’s interoperability with Microsoft products and (b) based on the solution owner's self-attestation. Solutions are only certified as of the date the solution is reviewed. The solution owner controls solution functionality and capability, which might be subject to change. The inclusion of a solution in marketplace and any such designations shouldn't be interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment, or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs, including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, and so on, rest solely with your business.
Training Services partner
For Training Services partners, Microsoft offers the following programs:
| Offer Name | Description of Offer | Cost of Offer | Benefits provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Learning Pack Subscription (LAPS) (will be retired on January 21, 2025) |
This benefits package will be retired on January 21, 2025. Starting January 21, 2025, no fresh purchases or renewals will be allowed. This is our entry level benefits package for partners who provide training services. To purchase this benefits package, you must buy a Microsoft Action Pack Subscription. However, when you land on the Benefits workspace (to redeem the benefits) you can pick the LAPS benefits option. This benefits package won't be updated with new product licenses from January 22, 2025. | $475 USD or equivalent in local currency | LAPS benefits |
| Solutions Partner for Training Services | Solutions Partner for Training Services designations is aligned to Microsoft solution areas and include incremental benefits - so you can stand out from the competition and increase your customer reach. You can demonstrate your organization's proven capabilities to customers with easily identifiable badging. | $4,730 USD or equivalent in local currency. | Training Services Partner benefits |
Surface partner
For Surface partners, Microsoft offers the following program:
Surface Reseller alliance program (preview): This program offers incentives to commercial Surface resellers as compensation for the value they deliver and the work they perform in helping us achieve our business objectives for Microsoft. There's no cost for this offering currently.
Note
This program is currently in preview and opened for limited set of partners. We're working to expand this to all partners very soon.
Purchase your benefits package
Once you have decided a particular offering to purchase or renew, you'll need to proceed with payment. Starting December 2023, exchange rates will be updated dynamically, potentially causing significant price changes due to the recent update after years of static rates. Going forward, prices will be listed in USD, with regular dynamic currency conversions. If an offering involves fees, you can manage the purchase (Buy or Renew) with following steps:
- Make a payment: Microsoft offers two ways to make a payment for membership - Credit Card or Wire transfers.
- Download invoice: You can view and download your invoice or bill from "Bills and Payments" page in membership workspace.
- Cancel your purchase: If you want to cancel your purchase then you need to raise a support ticket, and it's allowed only within 30 days of purchase provided you haven't redeemed any benefits provided as part of this benefits package.
- Redeem your benefits: Once benefits package is purchased, you'll need to manually redeem your benefits to allow continuation.
Membership - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My offering price has increased significantly since last purchase. Why?
Starting December 2023, some programs have experienced price increases due to updates in foreign exchange conversion rates. In some countries, the price difference might be significant due to the steep one-time adjustment needed after years of unchanged rates. Going forward, prices will be listed in USD, with regular dynamic currency conversions.
What are the changes coming on January 22, 2025?
Starting January 22, 2025, Microsoft will no longer offer Action Pack, Learning Action Pack, or legacy silver/gold benefits. The last day to purchase/renew these offerings is January 21, 2025. Once purchased, the benefits will be available for one year since your purchase without any impact. Partners with an active legacy silver/gold status as of January 21, 2025, will be eligible for applicable MCI incentives for the rest of the FY25 Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) incentive term, running until September 30, 2025 without any interruption. Additionally on January 22, 2025, we'll introduce over 20 new product licenses, including Microsoft Copilot, Defender for Endpoint, and GitHub, to many existing benefits. Some of these benefits will be added to existing purchases automatically and some will be applicable for new purchases/renewals post-launch. For more details, refer to the benefits guide.
I'm a Microsoft Action Pack and Learning Action Pack partner. What steps should I take after these programs are retired on January 22, 2025?
For partners currently using the Microsoft Action Pack or Learning Action Pack, we suggest transitioning to the Partner Success Core Benefits or Partner Success Expanded Benefits packages, tailored to fit your organization's size and needs.
I'm a legacy silver partner. What steps should I take after this program is retired on January 22, 2025?
For partners currently using the legacy silver benefits, we suggest transitioning to Partner Success Expanded Benefits packages, a comprehensive package designed for organizations that are ready to expand even further and deepen their partnership with Microsoft.
I'm a legacy gold partner. What steps should I take after this program is retired on January 22, 2025?
For partners currently using the legacy gold benefits, we recommend you attain the Solutions Partner designation. When you become a Solutions Partner for solution areas, you'll receive a portfolio of benefits specific to your solution area, a customer-facing badge to display in your marketing assets, and resources to promote your record of customer success.
My offering is due for renewal, but my renewal button is disabled. Why?
Your renewal starts 365 days after the initial purchase, followed by a 30-day grace period during which your benefits continue without interruption. You can renew or buy a new membership if you've linked your Partner Center account with your Microsoft Billing Profile, your account is verified, your renewal window is open, and you've met any applicable qualification criteria. Check the step-by-step guide to see how to meet these criteria.
My offering is due for renewal and I missed the renewal window. What are my options?
Since your renewal window has closed, your existing benefits have expired. However, you can still make a new purchase. After completing the new purchase, you'll receive a new set of benefits, and you can proceed with redeeming them.
I don't have enough permissions to buy a program. It's giving my name to get permissions. What should I do?
To manage your membership, in Partner Center, you must be assigned to "Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin" role in Partner Center. Account Admins or Global admins in your organization can assign this specific role. If you're assigned the Global or Account admin roles, then you can assign the "Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin" role to your own account by following the step-by-step guide.
My legacy silver or gold offering is due for renewal but my renew button isn't enabled. Why?
If your renewal window is open but the option to renew Silver or Gold is still disabled, it might be because you're eligible for Solutions Partner designations. You should consider purchasing Solutions Partner designations, where you'll have the option to choose between legacy Silver/Gold benefits or the new Solutions Partner designations benefits. This choice will be available to you during the purchase process of the Solutions Partner designations.
What's the duration of membership once an offering is purchased?
Memberships typically last for one year, plus an additional 30-day grace/renewal period. After this period, you must renew your membership, possibly with a fee. To enjoy uninterrupted services like Azure credits, Microsoft 365, or Dynamics 365, be sure to redeem your benefits as soon as your purchase or renewal is successful.
I can't see the details of membership and getting access denied error. Sometimes it's asking me to contact myself to get permission. Why?
To gain full access to the Membership and Benefits workspace, you need to have the "Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin" role in Partner Center. Follow this step-by-step guide to obtain access. Account Admins can grant you this access. If you're an Account Admin, you can follow the same steps to elevate your permissions, so sometimes you might end up needing to contact yourself for access.
I made the purchase but I can't find the invoice. It's blank when I navigate to the Azure portal. Why?
Membership purchases are migrated to new commerce starting January 2024. Your purchases are now aggregated across Microsoft stack and invoice is generated and billed in aggregate manner usually by 10th of the month. Your invoice will be generated latest by 10th of the next month. You'll be able to see your invoice and download it by 10th of next month.
Can I buy same offerings multiple times?
Each offering can be purchased only once. However, you can explore and buy other offerings for additional benefits. Check out the different offerings available to you.
I renewed my offering by making a payment but my Azure credits, Microsoft 365 license, Visual Studio license has stopped working. Why?
Membership renewal doesn't automatically redeem benefits. You must manually redeem the new set of benefits awarded upon renewal. To enjoy uninterrupted services like Azure credits, Microsoft 365, or Dynamics 365, be sure to redeem your benefits as soon as your purchase or renewal is complete.