Updates to the Microsoft Partner Program include:
Global Organization structure (no national boundaries). Organizations can have one or many Locations worldwide. A Location is defined as a branch office with a unique address. See About Organizations and Locations.
Administrative rights. Administrative tasks are performed by individuals with Global administrative rights (rights for the entire Organization) or Location administrative rights (rights for specific Locations).
Fewer Program Contact Roles simplifying program administration.
New process to apply for a Microsoft Competency. You will automatically earn a Competency once all requirements are satisfied (there is no application process). See Earn a Competency.
Changes to how you earn and manage Partner Points. Partner Points now expire on your anniversary date, which simplifies your points tracking, and makes your annual re-enrollment easier. Changes to the Partner Points model include earning points for Microsoft License Sales and the Small Business Specialist designation.
The Microsoft Partner Program Membership Center is a management tool for your membership in the Program. From the Membership Center, you can view your account status in the Program and perform administrative tasks, such as:
View your account information
View your Partner Points
Manage people (add people to your Organization, change their roles or administrative rights, and so forth)
Manage Organization and Locations (add Locations to earn Partner Points and benefits, reconfigure your Organization hierarchy to earn Partner Points and benefits, and so forth)
Manage benefits (order additional benefits, pay invoices, and so forth)
Manage Competencies (add MCPs, add tested products, submit customer references, etc.)
Upgrade to a higher Program Level
Re-enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program (membership re-enrollment is required on an annual basis)
When you enroll your Organization, the address and contact information you define creates your Headquarters Location. The person who enrolls the Organization is the Primary Program Contact for the Headquarters Location and will be assigned Global administrative rights for the Organization (Program Contact Roles and administrative rights can be reassigned later). After enrollment, you can add additional Locations worldwide.
Individuals associate to your Locations to:
Perform administrative tasks as an Administrator
Associate their Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials to a Location.
Gain access to the partner-only information on the Microsoft Partner Program Web site/newsletters.
Administrators assign individuals Program Contact Roles and administrative rights. Based on your assigned administrative rights, you can view information and perform tasks within the Membership Center. Individuals with no administrative rights can participate in program benefits including access to partner-only information on the Microsoft Partner Program Web site/newsletters.
See Navigate the Membership Center.
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