by Justin Slade, Senior Director, Strategy, Microsoft Global Partner Skilling
As AI moves from experimentation to production, customers are raising the standard for what “ready” looks like. They want partners who can design and deliver solutions with security and responsible AI in mind, scope work accurately, and execute reliably across geographies and teams. In this environment, certifications are no longer a nice-to-have. They are a signal of capability and a practical way to build consistency at scale.
A December 2025 Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study indicates that participating in Microsoft skilling and enablement initiatives can realize 217% ROI and $67.9M USD net present value over three years for a composite partner.
For many partners, that maps to what customers are asking for right now: Prove you can deliver. Reduce risk. Do it consistently, even as technology and expectations keep moving.
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