Channel strategy, accreditation, and real results — All at UP LIVE Reston
FY26 Is the Year to Lead with Capability FY26 is here — and Microsoft is investing more than ever in partner-led growth. From expanded co-sell motions to marketplace acceleration and capability development, the message is clear: partners who demonstrate value through accreditation and specialization are leading the way. According to Microsoft’s FY26 Partner Strategy Update (July 2025), accredited partners are seeing 3x higher engagement in co-sell motions and 2x faster time-to-market in the commercial marketplace. These metrics reflect a growing emphasis on partner capability, specialization, and alignment with Microsoft’s GTM priorities. That’s why ISSI’s workshop at Ultimate Partner LIVE: Reston is a must-attend for partners looking to align with Microsoft’s FY26 strategy and drive measurable business impact. Making Accreditation Work for Partners and Vendors ISSI has spent years helping IT service organizations and hyperscalers build smarter, more effective partner channels. Their consulting and auditing services focus on transforming partner programs — not just for compliance, but for impact. Their workshop, Driving Channel & Customer Value with Partner Accreditation, will explore: How accreditation programs are designed and optimized Case studies from both a hyperscaler and a partner organization How partners can assess the relevance of accreditation to their business Ways to improve technical and business capabilities through structured programs ISSI’s recent article “The Ways That Partners Can Make Money” outlines five core ways partners generate revenue: Resale Managed Services IP Monetization Marketplace Success Co-Sell Engagement Accreditation amplifies each of these models. It builds trust, proves capability, and unlocks deeper engagement with vendors like Microsoft. Why Attend UP LIVE: Reston ISSI’s workshop is just one part of a much larger conversation happening at UP LIVE: Reston. With over 42 speakers — including leaders from Microsoft, AWS, Elastic, Carahsoft, and more — the event brings together the most accomplished voices in partnering: Jay McBain Canalys (part of Omdia)), Erwin Visser (Microsoft), Pat Primavera (Microsoft), and Darryl E. Peek II (Elastic) the innovators building the future of co-sell and marketplace success — Rebecca Jones (Bridge Partners) Reis Barrie (Carve Partners), Erin Figer (CORE Consulting LLC), and Sam Gong (WorkSpan) the leaders transforming GTM and channel execution — Craig Abod (Carahsoft), Shane Wilson (Cohesity), Scott Sacket (AvePoint), Tarek Shamounki (ServiceNow), Erika Irby (Veeam Software) Expect: Real conversations about what’s working now in co-sell, marketplace, and GTM execution Actionable insights from strategists, innovators, and channel leaders A community of peers who are shaping the future of partner success Whether you're a partner looking to refine your strategy or a vendor seeking stronger channel performance, UP LIVE is the place to connect, learn, and lead. The Takeaway Accreditation isn’t just a badge — it’s a business accelerator. ISSI’s work shows how structured partner programs can unlock new revenue streams, improve delivery quality, and align with Microsoft’s evolving priorities. If you’re serious about driving channel and customer value in FY26, don’t miss ISSI’s workshop — and don’t miss UP LIVE: Reston. ISSI manages client-specific programs that enable industry leaders to quantify, asses, and improve the quality of services available to partner organizations migrating or managing customer workloads. Visit www.issi-inc.com or contact them at asales@issi-inc.com to learn more. ⭐ SPECIAL OFFER As a valued Microsoft partner, Ultimate Partner is offering a 15% discount on general passes to experience UP LIVE. 👉 Register HERE USE CODE: ULTIMATEVIP15 at checkout If you are unable to attend, join us via the live stream: Ultimate Partner LIVE: RestonHow Dooap and Microsoft Marketplace help AI transform accounts payable to impact your business
In this guest blog post, Anna Tujunen, Chief Product Officer at Dooap, shows how you can transform accounts payable from a transactional function into a strategic growth enabler by leveraging AI-driven automation and real-time insights with Microsoft and Dooap via Microsoft Marketplace.
FY26 Q1 update: Make the most of your certified software designation
Key reminders for partners with current top tier benefits Now: Partners can start the process of attaining a certified software designation—which is required to access benefits like partner-reported Azure consumed revenue (PRACR) reporting. Until December 31, 2025: Partners can retain access to current top tier benefits, including PRACR reporting and Azure partner-led incentives. Starting January 1, 2026: Partners will need to have a certified software designation to continue accessing these benefits. Updates for FY26 PRACR-reporting partners PRACR reporting has moved to Partner Center: PRACR reporting is now centralized in Partner Center and tied to active contracts—meaning that partners will need to register legacy deals and renewals as net-new to maintain eligibility. Partners who missed the April 30 deadline for estimated Azure consumption (EAC) percentage (EAC%) will receive a default rate unless updated proactively. If partners are renewing expired deals as net new through the deal registration process in Partner Center, please ensure a co-sell motion has occurred as part of the renewal. Review the Partner Center requirements for PRACR and ensure your reported deals are registered accordingly. Make the most of PRACR with vNext documentation: To support your success with vNext PRACR, we’re launching a suite of clear, actionable documentation designed to guide you through onboarding, transitions, and ongoing participation. News and announcements From FAQs to playbooks, our resource collection has the tools you need to succeed as a Solutions Partner with a certified software designation. Explore resources Enhanced FY26 go-to-market benefits: Solutions Partners with certified software designations can access updated go-to-market (GTM) benefits, including solution play cards, solution briefs, and an animated solution video—all designed to raise awareness of your solution and support your co-sell success. Learn more here or here. New Industry AI designations now available: We introduced six new designations for industry-specific AI—Energy, Government, Telecom, Education, Defense, and Nonprofit—so software development companies can further differentiate and align their solutions to sector-specific needs. Learn more here. Incentives and offers Microsoft’s FY26 Partner Incentives empower software development companies to accelerate customer migrations and modernizations with substantial financial rewards. Partners with certified software designations—including Azure, Security, and Industry AI—can earn up to $175,000 USD for qualifying Customer Migrate & Modernize engagements. These incentives, a part of Marketplace Rewards Advanced Package, support a wide range of customer scenarios, from migrating on-premises environments to Azure-hosted solutions, moving from competitive platforms, expanding Azure solution footprints, and acquiring net new customers. Check out the “ISV Engagements” tab in the incentives guide for more information. Partner success Hear how Symphony AI, Rockwell Automation, Rescale, Accenture, and Avanade are leveraging their certified software designations to expand global reach, increase brand visibility, and deliver cutting-edge AI-powered solutions. View here. Follow the tag certified software designations to stay updated on quarterly partner news for certified software designations. *“Solutions Partner” refers to a company that is a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and may offer software, services, and/or solutions to customers. Reference to “Solutions Partner” in any content, materials, resources, web properties, etc. 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, etc., rests solely with your business. **A certification is (1) specific to the solution’s interoperability with Microsoft products and (2) based on self-attestation by the solution owner. Solutions are only certified as of the date the solution is reviewed. Solution functionality and capability are controlled by the solution owner and may be subject to change. The inclusion of a solution in the marketplace and any such designations should not 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, etc. rest solely with your business.
App Advisor updates: Build smarter, publish faster with these new features
The App Advisor experience has been enhanced to help you build smarter and publish faster to the Microsoft Marketplace. The six new features make it easier to stay focused, move faster, and scale smarter with apps and agents. Whether you are in the planning, building, or publishing phase of your journey, the new features are designed to meet you where you are, offering curated guidance and actionable insights. Learn how the updates can help you today. Build smarter, publish faster: Here’s what’s new in App AdvisorBuild smarter, publish faster: Here’s what’s new in App Advisor
App Advisor just got a major upgrade - and it’s changing the game for software development companies building apps and agents for the Microsoft Marketplace. Since its MVP launch in January 2024, App Advisor has helped thousands of partners like you streamline their journey. 💬 What partners are saying App Advisor isn’t just a tool - it’s a game-changer. Here’s what partners have shared about their experience: “I appreciate that App Advisor curates the content for the partner since the amount of data available is just so vast. It does a great job of curating for them based on their goals.” Frank Valdivieso, President & CEO, Gryphon Consulting ⚡What’s new? Smarter focus, faster execution, and scalable growth Now, with six new features launched in the US (and global availability coming soon), App Advisor is making it easier than ever to stay focused, move faster, and scale smarter with apps and agents. Here’s what’s new: 🛠️ In-app marketplace offer creation Start your marketplace journey directly within App Advisor - no context switching required. You can now initiate offer creation for popular offer types without leaving the platform. Not signed up to publish - no problem! App Advisor can get you signed up and on your way to creating your offer. 🚀 Tailored recommendations by marketplace offer type Confidently align your app with the right marketplace offer and pricing model using our interactive wizard. Get personalized recommendations based on your app profile and program membership - and fast-track publishing to launch sooner. 📁 Multi-project save with Partner Center linking Advance multiple apps and agents from a single, centralized experience. Save guidance across projects and link each to its Partner Center offer for seamless continuity. 🎯 Membership-based guidance Receive personalized guidance based on your ISV Success or Marketplace Rewards membership. App Advisor adapts its recommendations to help you make faster, smarter decisions. ✅ ISV Success sign-up integration Sign up for ISV Success and resume your workflow without disruption. Unlock benefits like cloud credits, technical consults, and go-to-market resources - all without breaking your build flow. 🎥 Embedded video playback Explore how to build, publish, and grow your apps and agents with step-by-step video guidance. Watch demos and guidance videos directly within App Advisor. Stay in flow with seamless, distraction-free learning, all while keeping the AI-powered assistant visible and ready to help. Ready to accelerate your marketplace success? Dive into App Advisor today to build, publish, and sell transactable offers with clarity, speed, and confidence. Make sure you check out the new Microsoft Marketplace - the single destination to find, try, and buy AI apps, tools, and agents. Read the blog to learn more. Ready to level up with App Advisor? Watch this quick video and unlock what’s next!
