Now Generally Available: Azure Native Pure Storage Cloud for Azure VMware Solution
Co authored by: vjirovsky Azure Native Integrations enable you to easily provision, manage, and tightly integrate Independent Software Vendors (ISV) SaaS with a unified billing on Azure. By leveraging the power of Azure, Pure Storage Cloud Service offers you the same trusted Pure Storage capabilities in the cloud, without the complexity of refactoring or rearchitecting your VMware environments. You can easily discover and sign up for this via the Azure Marketplace. Azure Native Integrations enable you to easily provision, manage, and tightly integrate Independent Software Vendors (ISV) SaaS with a unified billing on Azure. By leveraging the power of Azure, Pure Storage Cloud Service offers you the same trusted Pure Storage capabilities in the cloud, without the complexity of refactoring or rearchitecting your VMware environments. You can easily discover and sign up for this via the Azure Marketplace. “We’re excited to announce Microsoft’s strengthened partnership with Pure Storage through the Azure Native Integrations program. With the service now generally available, customers can seamlessly deploy enterprise-grade block storage on Pure directly from the Azure portal. This seamless integration with Azure VMware Solution enables elastic capacity, flexible performance, and instant resizing – all while unlocking the full power of Azure’s cloud and AI capabilities.” - Scott Hunter, Vice President Product Management, Microsoft Developer Division Key Benefits of Azure Native Pure Storage Cloud on AVS Enterprise customers migrating VMware workloads to the cloud have long faced challenges with storage scalability, cost inefficiencies, and operational overhead. With this GA release, Pure Storage removes those barriers and delivers: Decoupled Scalability & Flexibility: across Compute and Storage solutions, so you pay only for what you need. Seamless Native Azure Experience: Provision Pure Storage Cloud resources via the client of your choice - Azure portal, CLI, PowerShell or SDK. Multi-Region support: Enjoy the support for your Pure Storage resource across East US, East US 2, West US 2, Central US and Australia East regions, with many more coming in shortly! Cost Efficiency: Achieve up to 40% Total Cost of Operations (TCO) savings through best-in-class data reduction and compression solutions. Streamlined VMware Migration: Simplify the transition of VMware workloads from on-premises or hybrid and multi-cloud environments onto Azure with consistent storage performance, nearly zero downtime, and minimal business disruption. Easy management: Perform all daily operations on AVS from a single VMware vSphere client directly via built-in plugin for Pure Storage Cloud Robust performance and reliability for mission-critical workloads with enterprise-grade Data protection and Data resilience support, with solutions such as Pure Snapshots and Hybrid Disaster Recovery in the pipeline. Fig 1: Pure Storage benefits of decoupled storage scalability. Why Pure Storage? Gartner report from Sept 2025 states that by 2029, consumption-based storage as a service (STaaS) will replace 50% of on-premises enterprise storage and data services infrastructure capital expenditure (capex), an increase from 15% in early 2025. Pure Storage® is a pivotal storage player among the Enterprise customers in revolutionizing the storage, management and resiliency while ensuring flexibility. From AI to archive, Pure Storage delivers a seamless cloud migration experience with one unified Storage as-a-Service (STaaS) platform across on-premises, private and public cloud, and hybrid environments. Pure has been named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Storage Platforms, with highest rating in Execution & Vision. An enterprise-favorite, some key customers for Pure Storage include ServiceNow, NASA, Comcast and many more! Fig 2: Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Storage Platforms, Sep 2025, Gartner Inc. Get Started with Azure Native Pure Storage Cloud Getting started is simple and fully integrated into the Azure experience. You can now start your journey quick and easy, and you pay only for the storage you use. For a detailed step-by-step visual guide, check out this YouTube playlist. Search and Provisioning the Pure Storage Cloud Resource Look for “Pure Storage Cloud” in the Azure portal or Azure Marketplace and sign up to subscribe. Select the service and create a new Pure Storage resource. Follow the instructions in the QuickStart to easily spin up your Pure Storage resource. Fig 3: Searching for Azure Native Pure Storage via Azure portal Create Storage Pools Using your Vnet and a delegated subnet to PureStorage.Block/storagePools, use the Overview blade navigation or the Action tile in the bottom to create and configure your storage pools. Fig 4: Newly created Pure Storage resource Overview in Azure portal Fig 5: Create Storage pool blade in Azure portal Connect to an Azure VMware Solution (AVS) resource Once created, you can use the Connect button up top to link your storage pool to AVS. In a few minutes, your storage pool is coupled with your VMware resource and ready to use! Fig 6: Connect AVS button establishes connection between storage pool and AVS resource Also, it automatically installs the Pure Storage Cloud plugin into your VMware resource, so you can manage everything, including the storage, from a single place, vSphere Client. Fig 7: Creation of a Datastore within the vSphere Client – this maps to a Storage container on your Pure Storage Cloud resource We’re excited for you to try out our solution! If you have suggestions or questions, contact us at azurenative@purestorage.com Resources Sign up for the service via Azure marketplace here. For a detailed visual guide on the step-by-step process to create a Pure Storage resource on Azure, check out this YouTube playlist. To learn more about the service, FAQ, and how to create your resource, check out the Microsoft docs as well as the Pure docs. Learn about how to create datastores and volumes and manage your Pure Storage here. Check out Azure Storage's blog and Pure’s press release for more excitement around the Pure-Microsoft partnership.
Stand out in the marketplace with a Microsoft Copilot specialization
The Microsoft Copilot specialization demonstrates your experience and capabilities with Copilot, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat, Copilot Studio, and agents. Partners with this specialization can help their customers: Explore AI Advisory Services for Microsoft Copilot. Adopt Copilot. Deliver data security and deployment. Enable extensibility with agentic focus. To earn this specialization, you must first attain one of three Solutions Partner designations: Business Applications, Modern Work, and/or Security. If your organization has already attained one or more of these designations, please review the Microsoft Copilot specialization criteria—which include performance metrics, skilling requirements, and customer references—and begin to work toward meeting them. You can check whether you currently meet the requirements by viewing your Partner Center dashboard. The requirements include: Performance requirements 1,000 monthly active users (MAU) growth of M365 Copilot in the trailing 12 months (TTM) (Claiming partner of record (CPOR), Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Tier 1, CSP Tier 2) AND 5 net customer growth for Copilot in TTM (CPOR, CSP Tier 1, CSP Tier 2) Skilling requirements 5 people with MS-102: Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert AND 5 people with, cumulatively: SC-401: Implement information protection in Microsoft 365 OR APL-4002: Prepare security and compliance to support Copilot AND 5 people with APL-7008: Create custom agents with Microsoft Copilot Studio Customer references Provide three customer references, which must include at least one example of transforming business processes with agent implementation. Learn moreCopilot Agents Hands-On Lab Training - Modern Work
We are pleased to extend an exclusive invitation to a four-hour hands-on lab session designed to impart the skills necessary to build Copilot Agents that optimize business processes. This instructor-led session will provide comprehensive instruction on creating Copilot Agents specifically aimed at enhancing Service Help Desks and streamlining eCommerce processes through the use of Topics, Actions, and Agents. Participants will engage in practical exercises and real-world scenarios, ensuring a deep understanding of how to effectively leverage Copilot Agents to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in various business contexts. Our expert instructors will offer step-by-step guidance and insights, enabling attendees to fully harness the potential of this innovative technology. As part of the training, attendees will receive access to a dedicated lab environment so they can follow-along with the instructor and fully harness the potential of this innovative technology. Prerequisites will be communicated to registered attendees to ensure optimal preparation and a maximized learning experience. Please note: These events have limited capacity; registering does not guarantee a spot in the event. You will receive confirmation when your seat has been assigned by the organizer. Couldn't make it to our March or April Hands-On labs? No worries! We have added two more May dates. Join us on either May 7th or 28th. Build your first agent alongside a team of Microsoft architects that will guide you through the process step by step! Dates/Times: Option 1 : May 7, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST Option 2 : May 28, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST Register here📢 Swiss Partner Townhall – May Edition
🗓 May 28th 🕤 9:30 – 10:30 AM (Online) 👉 Register here: https://aka.ms/swisspartnertownhall We’re back with our Monthly Swiss Partner Townhall, your go-to forum for the latest updates, strategies, and guidance to empower your business. 💡 This month’s agenda is packed with timely topics and expert speakers: 🔹 Top of Mind – Andrew Reid 🔹 New European Digital Commitments: What They Mean for Switzerland – Moritz Oberli 🔹 3-Year SKU Strategy & Promotional Roadmap – Thomas Rupp 🔹 Technical Presales & Development Services Benefits – Beat Weissenberger 🔹 Understanding Security Score Requirements: FAQs – Manuel Michaud 🔹 Events & Partner Enablement Updates – Diyor Iskandarov 🎯 Stay informed. Stay competitive. Stay connected. We look forward to seeing you there. 👉 Register here: https://aka.ms/swisspartnertownhall #SwissPartnerTownhall #MicrosoftSwitzerland #PartnerNetwork #Switzerland #Cloud #AI #Innovation #Technology #TechUpdates #DigitalSwitzerland #PartnerEnablement #CloudInnovationRegister for the Business Applications and Modern Work FY26 GTM Kickoff Event
Join us on July 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM Pacific Time—or watch on demand after 12:00 PM Pacific Time—to learn about the exciting go-to-market (GTM) priorities and initiatives planned for FY26 across the Business Applications and Modern Work solution areas. This year’s event will cover the investments we’re making to help you grow your business and deliver customer engagements that bring the value of AI to life. The event will be more accessible than ever before, with closed captions available in 32 languages. Plus, you’ll be able to: Engage with Business Applications and Modern Work leadership to understand the strategic initiatives planned for FY26. Align your business strategies with Microsoft to maximize your potential for success in FY26. Stay informed about the latest developments and resources available to support your business growth. Register early to reserve your spot—and get the agenda, session details, and updates sent directly to your inbox. Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway to get notified when the event content is available on demand. Register here!Free Copilot Studio Training Series for Power Platform Makers
Are you experienced with Power Apps or Power Automate and curious how your skills translate to building AI agents? 🛠️ We’ve collaborated with Microsoft MVP of 20 years, Shane Young, to bring you over 2 hours of free, hands-on training designed to help you get started with Copilot Studio and walk away with your own agents!👇 The training series includes: ✅ Demos ✅ Step-by-step builds ✅ Deep dives into product-specific features 📅 We’re kicking things off today with 7 of 28 videos—new sections will drop every couple of days to get you fully prepped just in time for Microsoft Build! 🎉 1️⃣ Section 1 (Today): Introduction + Demos (7 videos) ✅ 2️⃣ Section 2 (Thursday, May 15): How to build a conversational agent (8 videos) 3️⃣ Section 3 (Saturday, May 17): How to build an autonomous agent (10 videos) 4️⃣ Section 4 (Monday, May 19): Reusing your Power Platform skills (3 videos) ✨ Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your expertise, this series is packed with content to accelerate your journey into the world of AI agents. 🔗 Get watching here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi9EhCY4z99XR9Me1e4LZTF-YsnklmEsa&si=W84QMbeGVDG_lMHIMicrosoft 365 and Copilot Sales and Technical Bootcamps - Modern Work
Enhance your skills by joining Level Up CSP Microsoft 365 and Copilot sales & technical bootcamps. These bootcamps are designed for CSP partners to develop sales and technical capabilities, acquire new customers, and explore upselling and cross-selling strategies. Gain valuable insights from sales and technical experts through engaging demos and resources that provide business value. Plus, enjoy on-demand access to previous bootcamps by registering for our upcoming sessions. Dates/Times: 1 Day Sales Bootcamp Americas/EMEA: June 4, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST APAC: June 4, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST Who should attend: Sellers and sales managers 1 Day Technical Bootcamp Americas/EMEA: June 11, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST Voice-over and subtitles available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish (EU), Spanish (LATAM), Italian and Hindi during the Level Up CSP bootcamps. Register hereMicrosoft 365 and Copilot Sales and Technical Bootcamps - Modern Work
Enhance your skills by joining Level Up CSP Microsoft 365 and Copilot sales & technical bootcamps. These bootcamps are designed for CSP partners to develop sales and technical capabilities, acquire new customers, and explore upselling and cross-selling strategies. Gain valuable insights from sales and technical experts through engaging demos and resources that provide business value. Plus, enjoy on-demand access to previous bootcamps by registering for our upcoming sessions. Dates/Times: 1 Day Sales Bootcamp Americas/EMEA: June 4, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST APAC: June 4, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST Who should attend: Sellers and sales managers 1 Day Technical Bootcamp Americas/EMEA: June 11, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST Voice-over and subtitles available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish (EU), Spanish (LATAM), Italian and Hindi during the Level Up CSP bootcamps. Register here
