Unleashing New Business Opportunities for Microsoft Partners with PostgreSQL & MySQL on Azure
The latest innovations announced at Microsoft Ignite 2025 for PostgreSQL and MySQL running on Azure are more than just technical upgrades—they’re a launchpad for new business growth, deeper customer engagement, and accelerated digital transformation. Here’s how these advancements can help you deliver greater value and unlock new opportunities for your clients. 1. Introducing Azure HorizonDB: Built for Performance and AI Workloads We’re excited to unveil Azure HorizonDB in private preview—a new, fully managed PostgreSQL service engineered for business and developers alike. HorizonDB is designed for ultra-low latency, high read scale, and built-in AI capabilities, offering seamless scaling up to 192 virtual cores and 128 TB of storage. Deep integration with developer tools, including GitHub Copilot, delivers performance, resilience, and simplicity at any scale. With HorizonDB, teams can: Build AI apps at scale using advanced DiskANN vector indexing, pre-provisioned AI models, semantic search, and unified support for both relational and graph data. Accelerate app development with built-in extensions, including the PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code integrated with GitHub Copilot. Copilot in VS Code is context-aware for PostgreSQL and enables one-click performance debugging. Unlock data insights through deep integrations with Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Foundry. Expect reliability with enterprise-ready features from day one, including Entra ID integration, Private Link networking, and Azure Defender for Cloud. Business Opportunity: Position your practice as an early adopter and expert in next-generation database solutions. Position your practice as an early adopter and expert in next-generation database solutions by introducing customers to Azure HorizonDB. Use this conversation to offer migration, modernization, and AI-powered application development services leveraging Azure Database for PostgreSQL with future migrations to HorizonDB. Help clients build resilient, high-performance, and intelligent data platforms—driving new revenue streams and deeper customer engagement. 2. Modernize Data Infrastructure with Limitless Scale and Performance Azure’s new Elastic Clusters in Azure Database for PostgreSQL enable organizations to scale their databases horizontally across multiple nodes, supporting virtually unlimited throughput and storage. This means you can help clients build and grow multi-tenant SaaS applications and large-scale analytics solutions without the complexity of manual sharding or the limitations of legacy infrastructure. Azure’s managed service automates shard management, tenant isolation, and cross-node query coordination, freeing up your teams to focus on innovation instead of administration. Business Opportunity: Position your practice as the go-to partner for scalable, future-proof data platforms. Offer migration services, architecture consulting, and managed solutions that leverage Azure’s unique scale-out capabilities. 3. Accelerate Innovation with AI-Ready Databases Azure is leading the way in AI integration for open-source databases. With the PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code and native Microsoft Foundry support, developers can build smarter apps and AI agents leveraging advanced AI capabilities directly in the database. Features like natural language querying, vector search, and seamless Copilot integration mean your clients can unlock new insights and automate processes faster than ever. Business Opportunity: Expand your offerings to include AI-powered analytics, intelligent agent development, and custom Copilot solutions. Help organizations harness their data for real-time decision-making and enhanced customer experiences. 4. Simplify and Accelerate Migrations from Legacy Systems The new AI-assisted Oracle to PostgreSQL migration tool dramatically reduces the effort and risk of moving off expensive, proprietary databases. Integrated into the PostgreSQL extension for VS Code, it automates schema and code conversion, provides inline AI explanations, and ensures secure, context-aware migrations. Business Opportunity: Lead migration projects that deliver rapid ROI. Offer assessment, planning, and execution services to help clients escape legacy costs and embrace open-source flexibility on Azure. 5. Enable Seamless Analytics and Real-Time Insights With support for Parquet in the Azure storage extension for PostgreSQL and Fabric zero-ETL mirroring for Azure Database for MySQL and Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure is bridging operational databases and analytics platforms. Business Opportunity: Build solutions that unify data estates, streamline analytics workflows, and deliver actionable intelligence. Position your team as experts in data integration and real-time analytics. 6. Drive Industry-Specific Transformation Ignite 2025 showcases real-world success stories from industries like healthcare (Apollo Hospitals), automotive (GM), and finance (Nasdaq), demonstrating how Azure’s open-source databases power resilient, scalable, and AI-driven solutions. Business Opportunity: Use these case studies to inspire clients in regulated or complex sectors. Offer tailored solutions that meet strict compliance, security, and performance requirements. Why Partners Win with Azure’s Latest Innovations Faster time-to-value: Help clients adopt the latest tech with minimal downtime and risk. Expanded service portfolio: From migration to AI, analytics to managed services, the new capabilities open doors to new revenue streams. Trusted platform: Azure’s enterprise-grade security, compliance, and high availability mean you can deliver solutions with confidence. Ready to help your customers achieve more? Dive deeper into the Ignite 2025 announcements and start building the next generation of intelligent, scalable, and AI-powered solutions on Microsoft Azure. Learn more here: https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/homeQuarterly AMA with Amir Netz (APAC) – Microsoft Fabric Partners, Don’t Miss Out!
🌟 Microsoft Partners—don’t miss your chance to connect directly with Amir Netz, CTO & Technical Fellow, at our exclusive Quarterly AMA (Ask Me Anything) session! The Fabric Engineering Connection is your gateway to insider insights, direct access to product leaders, and the latest updates on Microsoft Fabric. As a valued partner, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and learn about new features and strategies that can help you drive success for your clients and your business. This session is designed to empower partners with actionable knowledge and networking opportunities. 📅 Save the date: Americas & EMEA: Wednesday, January 21, 8–9 am PT APAC: Thursday, January 22, 1–2 am UTC / Americas & EMEA: Wednesday, January 21, 5–6 pm PT 🔗 Not a member yet? Join the Fabric Partner Community to participate: https://aka.ms/JoinFabricPartnerCommunity. Let’s build the future of data together!Quarterly AMA with Amir Netz (Americas & EMEA) – Microsoft Fabric Partners, Don’t Miss Out!
🌟 Microsoft Partners—don’t miss your chance to connect directly with Amir Netz, CTO & Technical Fellow, at our exclusive Quarterly AMA (Ask Me Anything) session! The Fabric Engineering Connection is your gateway to insider insights, direct access to product leaders, and the latest updates on Microsoft Fabric. As a valued partner, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and learn about new features and strategies that can help you drive success for your clients and your business. This session is designed to empower partners with actionable knowledge and networking opportunities. 📅 Save the date: Americas & EMEA: Wednesday, January 21, 8–9 am PT APAC: Thursday, January 22, 1–2 am UTC / Americas & EMEA: Wednesday, January 21, 5–6 pm PT 🔗 Not a member yet? Join the Fabric Partner Community to participate: https://aka.ms/JoinFabricPartnerCommunity. Let’s build the future of data together!New Azure blog on charting AI & agent strategy with Marketplace
In a new Azure blog, Cyril Belikoff, Vice President, Commercial Cloud and AI Marketing, talks about how organizations are using Microsoft Marketplace as a central hub for discovering, buying, and deploying AI models, applications, and agents to support their AI strategy. He emphasizes that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—companies can build custom solutions, buy ready-made ones, or blend both depending on their needs. Marketplace offers thousands of pre-vetted models and AI tools that integrate with existing Microsoft products (like Microsoft Foundry and Copilot), helping teams accelerate time-to-value, maintain governance, and balance agility with oversight as they adopt AI more broadly. Read the full blog and share it with your customers: Design your AI strategy with Microsoft Marketplace SolutionsUnlock key strategies for Marketplace growth
Looking to strengthen your go‑to‑market strategy in the year ahead? Don’t miss Microsoft’s latest guidance on how partners can accelerate success in the commercial marketplace. At Microsoft Ignite 2025, Microsoft Marketplace emerged as a central platform for cloud and AI innovation, with major enhancements such as expanded resale-enabled offers, deeper integration across Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, and new tools designed to streamline procurement and accelerate value delivery for customers. This valuable resource distills 10 essential tips to help organizations optimize listings, leverage private offers, improve discoverability, and scale more effectively in the evolving AI-first landscape. It’s a valuable guide for any partner aiming to elevate their marketplace performance and align with Microsoft’s modern go-to-market approach. Read more: 10 Essential tips for Marketplace success: Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2025 | Microsoft Community HubOptimizing maintenance workflows with AI and Azure
In our Partner Spotlight series, we highlight organizations driving innovation across the Microsoft Marketplace. In each feature, we share the distinct journey of a partner leveraging the Microsoft ecosystem to deliver AI‑enabled solutions and transactable offers that streamline enterprise adoption and accelerate digital transformation. In this installment, we spoke with Benjamin Schwärzler of Workheld, a Vienna‑based SaaS company transforming maintenance management for asset‑intensive industries. We dive into their early beginnings, their growth as a Microsoft partner, and the ways they’re helping organizations close the gap between shopfloor execution and strategic decision‑making—powered by a secure, Azure‑based architecture. Read more to learn how Azure is shaping the future of intelligent maintenance management: AI-powered maintenance management with Microsoft Azure | Microsoft Community HubAPAC Fabric Engineering Connection
🚀 Upcoming Fabric Engineering Connection Call – Americas & EMEA & APAC! Join us on Wednesday, January 14, 8–9 am PT (Americas & EMEA) and Thursday, January 15, 1–2 am UTC (APAC) for a special session featuring the latest Power BI Updates & Announcements from Ignite with Sujata Narayana, Rui Romano, and other members of the Power BI Product Team. Plus, hear from Tom Peplow on Developing Apps on OneLake APIs. 🔗 To participate, make sure you’re a member of the Fabric Partner Community Teams Channel. If you haven’t joined yet, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g_PRdfjt Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and stay up to date with the latest in Microsoft Fabric and Power BI!Americas & EMEA Fabric Engineering Connection
🚀 Upcoming Fabric Engineering Connection Call – Americas & EMEA & APAC! Join us on Wednesday, January 14, 8–9 am PT (Americas & EMEA) and Thursday, January 15, 1–2 am UTC (APAC) for a special session featuring the latest Power BI Updates & Announcements from Ignite with Sujata Narayana, Rui Romano, and other members of the Power BI Product Team. Plus, hear from Tom Peplow on Developing Apps on OneLake APIs. 🔗 To participate, make sure you’re a member of the Fabric Partner Community Teams Channel. If you haven’t joined yet, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g_PRdfjt Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and stay up to date with the latest in Microsoft Fabric and Power BI!2026 Is different—Are you ready to win?
2026 Is different—Are you ready to win? 2026 isn’t just another year—it’s a turning point. Cloud go-to-market strategies are being rewritten in real time by AI, marketplaces, co-sell, and ecosystem-led growth. The hard truth? If your strategy isn’t fully aligned this year, you’re going to feel it. That’s why Ultimate Partner is kicking off the year with a must-attend free livestream designed to give you clarity and actionable steps—not theory. On January 13 | 11:00–12:30 pm ET, Vince Menzione, CEO of Ultimate Partner will join two industry leaders for an inside look at what’s next: Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Omdia, will share his predictions for 2026 and beyond. Cyril Belikoff, VP of Commercial Cloud & AI Marketing at Microsoft, will reveal exciting changes at Microsoft and how to align your GTM strategy for success. This is your chance to ask the tough questions during a LIVE Q&A and walk away with insights you can put into action immediately. ______________________________________________________ 📅 January 13 | 11:00–12:30 pm ET 🎥 Livestream: “Winning in 2026 and Beyond” 👉 Register for FREE: HEREAPAC Fabric Engineering Connection Call
🚀 Happy New Year to all the amazing Microsoft partners I've had the privilege to work with during 2025. I'm excited to announce the first presenter of 2026 for this week's Fabric Engineering Connection call! Join us Thursday, January 8, from 1–2 am UTC (APAC) for an insightful session from Benny Austin. This week’s focus: 🎯 Updates and Enhancements made to the Fabric Accelerator This is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback. To participate in the call, you must be a member of the Fabric Partner Community Teams channel. To join, complete the participation form at https://aka.ms/JoinFabricPartnerCommunity. We look forward to seeing you at the call!
