Are you a Microsoft Partner who wants to grow your cloud business and deliver value to your customers? If so, you need to have a reliable and effective support plan that can help you achieve your goals. But how do you know which support plan is best for your needs? In this blog, I will share with you some of the support options available for partners and how they can help you succeed in the cloud.
What are the support options for partners?
Microsoft offers three main types of support plans for partners:
- Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: This is a program that helps partners to build, sell, and go to market with AI solutions using Microsoft technology. The program provides partners with exclusive tools, benefits, and resources to help them drive growth and deliver high-performing, customer-centric AI solutions. The program also helps partners to differentiate their AI capabilities with a specialization, incentivize customers to migrate to the cloud, and accelerate innovation with ISV Success. Any partner who wants to join can do so at no cost and become part of a global community focused on customer growth and success.
- Advanced Support for Partners (ASfP): This a paid partner offering designed for small and medium-sized partners who need technical support and guidance to grow their cloud business. It provides access to partner-focused services, such as cloud consultations, break-fix support, proactive services.
- Premier Support for Partners (PSfP): This is a paid partner offering tailored for large and complex partners who need end-to-end support for cloud, hybrid, and on prem, to optimize their performance and operations. It can include on-site support, customized workshops, assessments, and developer benefits. Partners can also opt in for higher levels of break-fix support including Azure Rapid Response and Critical Situation Support.
How to choose the best support plan for your needs?
The support plan you choose depends on your business needs, goals, and budget. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a support plan:
Business size: If you are a small or medium-sized partner who is new to Microsoft cloud services or who has a low volume of support requests, you may find the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program or ASfP sufficient for your needs. However, if you are a large or complex partner who has a high volume of support requests or who needs more customization and integration, you may benefit from PSfP.
Business complexity: If you are an Indirect Reseller or have minimal reactive support needs, Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program may be sufficient for your business. However, if you are a Direct CSP or Indirect Provider, enhanced reactive benefits will improve the support experience felt by you and your customers with ASfP and PSfP.
Something to keep in mind... if you are comfortable leveraging Partner resources, following guidance videos, and documentation for technical enablement, Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is a great option. If you want to stay ahead of the technical curve with guidance from an account manager and other technical resources, ASfP is the option for you. If you require on site enablement and workshops, PSfP is a great choice, but you may find ASfP can provide a lot of information that will be valuable to you and customers.
Business goals: If you want to build, sell, and go to market with Microsoft cloud solutions, the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is the first step. As your goals for growth and customer needs increase, as you plan to optimize existing operations, offer new services, and prepare for more growth, you may find ASfP is the right choice. For the top tier Partners, those supporting high-valued clients, requiring the continuation of an established enterprise, PSfP offers the most to achieve further goals, reduce risks, and with maximum differentiation in the market.
How to sign up for a support plan?
- Sign in to the Partner Center with your partner account.
- Go to the Support tab and click on Support plans.
- Choose the support plan that suits your needs and click on Buy now.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your purchase. If you want to sign up for a support plan by contacting your account manager, you can do so by following the instructions provided in Technical Support for Microsoft Partners.
"As a Support Evangelist for Microsoft, I often get asked by our partners about the best support plan for their needs. I hope this blog has helped you understand some of the options available and how they can help you succeed in the cloud. If you have any questions or need more guidance on choosing the right support plan for your business, please contact me. I am happy to assist you in any way I can. 😊" - Giselle Alaniz
Resources:
Compare Microsoft Partner Support Offerings
Microsoft Advanced Support for Partners
(99+) Giselle Alaniz | LinkedIn
(99+) Asher Nierman | LinkedIn
Talk to an Advanced Support for Partners specialist (microsoftpartnersupport.com)