How to become an Azure Expert MSP?

As businesses increasingly turn to the cloud for scalability, flexibility, and innovation, they seek partners who can deliver exceptional value and ensure seamless cloud adoption. In this evolving landscape of cloud services, achieving the coveted status of an Azure Expert Managed Services Provider (MSP) is more than just a badge—it’s a mark of trust, expertise, and excellence.

Becoming an Azure Expert MSP isn’t just about meeting Microsoft’s stringent criteria; it’s about transforming your business into a leader in the cloud ecosystem. Whether you’re an aspiring MSP or looking to level up your current offerings, this guide will walk you through the key steps, requirements, and benefits of attaining this prestigious certification.

Ready to elevate your business to expert status? Let’s dive in!

Benefits of becoming an Azure Expert MSP

Becoming an Azure Expert Managed Service Provider comes with a range of exclusive benefits that can give your business a competitive edge. Here are some key advantages:

Stand Out with Differentiation:

• Earn the prestigious Azure Expert MSP badge, which highlights your expertise.
• Gain visibility by being showcased to Azure customers.
• Enjoy priority placement in Microsoft’s referral engine, helping attract more business opportunities.

Enhanced Customer Engagement:

• Receive priority access to co-sell opportunities and customer leads, fostering better partnerships and growth.

Support for Sales and Business Development:

• Access resources and support to build and grow new service practices.

Requirements to become an Azure Expert MSP

To qualify as an Azure Expert MSP, you need to meet the following eight requirements:

1. Partner Program Tier
   Your organization must hold active certifications as a Solutions Partner in three critical areas:

• Data & AI: Demonstrating expertise in managing and analyzing data using Azure’s powerful tools and AI capabilities.
• Digital & App Innovation: Showcasing your ability to build, modernize, and innovate digital applications on Azure.
• Infrastructure: Highlighting your skill in managing Azure infrastructure to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure solutions.

2. Azure Consumption
   You must drive significant Azure consumption by achieving a minimum monthly revenue threshold. This ensures you are actively utilizing Azure services and delivering value to your customers through consistent usage.

3. Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Status
   An active CSP agreement is essential. This demonstrates your capability to deliver Azure services directly to customers and manage their cloud solutions effectively under the CSP program.

4. MSP Offer Listing
   Your Managed Service Provider offerings must be listed on either AppSource or the Azure Marketplace. This ensures visibility to customers seeking Azure-based managed services.

5. Website Promotion
   Your Azure MSP services must be prominently displayed on your business website. This requirement ensures that potential customers can easily find detailed information about your Azure offerings, reinforcing your credibility as an Azure partner.

6. Certified Team Members
   Your organization must employ a minimum number of individuals who hold relevant Azure certifications. This highlights your technical expertise and assures customers that your team has the knowledge and skills needed to deliver top-tier Azure services.

7. Customer References
   You must provide at least four verifiable customer references that showcase your success in delivering Azure MSP solutions. One of these references must include a public case study, demonstrating how your services have positively impacted a customer’s business and solidifying your reputation as a trusted partner.
8. Support Agreement
   Your organization must have either an Advanced Support for Partners or Premier Support for Partners agreement covering Azure. This ensures you have direct access to Microsoft’s expert support, enabling you to resolve complex issues quickly and deliver exceptional service to your customers.

After meeting these prerequisites, you can apply and undergo a comprehensive review process. This includes a detailed audit conducted by a third-party auditor, followed by annual re-evaluations to maintain compliance with evolving standards.

Optimize Azure services with RackNap

Managing Azure services at scale requires powerful tools to streamline processes and enhance customer experiences. RackNap empowers Azure Service Providers with tools to sell Microsoft Azure Cloud with complete automation, boosting profitability and customer satisfaction. Here’s how:

• Integrated Marketplace: Seamlessly connect Azure services to your marketplace via RackNap’s Azure API integration.
• Instant Provisioning: Enable real-time deployment of Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) upon payment.
• Customizable Billing: Offer flexible billing models, including pre-paid and post-paid options, to suit diverse customer needs.
• Resource Monitoring: Set usage thresholds with automated notifications and invoicing for overages.
• Budget Control: Implement credit limits to help customers avoid unplanned expenses.
• Enhanced Visibility: Provide customers with insights into resource consumption, enabling better cost and usage optimization.

The RackNap application is available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, enabling Microsoft partners to easily install RackNap in their Azure Subscription with a few clicks and deliver Microsoft cloud services.

Ready to Transform Your Azure Service Delivery?

Book a demo with RackNap today to discover how it can drive efficiency and growth in your Azure Cloud business.

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