By Amber Hickman |
Microsoft outlined its three key focus areas for the next financial year during its annual partner-focused event, MCAPS Start for Partners.
The new priorities are based on what customers are asking for and what is currently resonating in the market.
The first area will focus on AI business solutions with the aim of scaling Copilot across every device and driving strong execution in Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365. The second area will see Microsoft lead with frontier AI developments and accelerate cloud migrations and modernisation. Finally, Microsoft will focus on strengthening and securing the cyber foundation to improve security.
“These solution areas are designed to mirror how customers think about their business challenges, making it easier for Microsoft and our partners to align solutions to those needs,” said Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer and corporate vice president of global partner solutions at Microsoft, in an online blog post. “They also provide a scalable, repeatable framework for how we engage across industries, segments and geographies, enabling more consistent execution and deeper impact.”
Microsoft shared updates to the AI Cloud Partner Program during the event.
As part of these updates, software development firms now have access to the Microsoft Startups Founders Hub and software partners that participate in Marketplace Rewards will have increased Azure credits.
“The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is the engine that fuels our ecosystem,” said Dezen. “We are committed to continual investment, flexibility, and shared success so that our program evolves in lockstep with our technology and the market.”
Over the next year, Microsoft will also expand skilling opportunities to include agentic AI skilling, hackathon training, sovereign cloud specialisations and more.