Microsoft cracks down on regional partner Competency misuse

From next year, vendor insists partners must have trained staff in every region in which they offer a particular Competency

Microsoft has insisted that, from next year, partners holding Competencies must have trained staff in each region in which the expertise is offered, in a move designed to make life easier for smaller, local partners.

Since the software giant last overhauled its partner programme three years ago, global partners have been able to show off their Competency badges across all regions in which they operate, even if the certified staff are not based there.

To achieve a Silver Competency, two staff at a partner must be accredited within an organisation, and, for Gold, the figure rises to four. A partner can publicise these Competencies globally, even if the two or four trained staff are based in just a few of the countries in which they operate - leading some smaller, local partners to say it is unfair.

From January 2014 - when Microsoft is rejigging its partner programme - this will no longer be the case, and companies will have to get staff trained up in each country or risk losing their Competencies.

Janet Gibbons (pictured), Microsoft UK's director for partner strategy and programmes, said the move was put in place based on partner feedback and aimed to level the playing field for smaller companies.

"It primarily affects our very large, global partners like Accenture and HP," she said.
"Someone like Accenture could have four people on Windows Server, get the Server Competency and, although they might all be in North America, they could use that Competency badge in the UK.

"The feedback from partners was 'that is not fair actually' as Accenture certainly have got enough people and can afford to do it, so feedback from local partners and smaller partners was 'we are making what to us is a big investment and we are up against these guys but they haven't even got the people in the market'.

"It wasn't fair for us to let a company hold up a badge in the UK market and, actually, when their customer says 'well where are these people who have passed all these exams?' [partners have to say] 'oh yeah, we will just get them in from Boston!'

"It was misusing the Competencies. It was our rule - we set it out that way - but we realised... and said we need to change that."