Q: How do I renew as an existing Learning Partner?
A: If you are an existing Learning Partner in the Learning Competency, with a renewal date on or before December 31, 2017, there is no change to the enrollment process if you have met the KPI requirements for your level.
Q: How do Ifind the requirements for the Learning Partner Option?
A: Visit the MPNPortal for the Technical Competency you are interested in to find the requirements for the Learning Partner Option within that Technical Competency. You must review therequirements section for each Technical Competency that includes the Learning Partner Option.
Q: How do I find the business application?
A: The business application can be found in several locations
- The requirements location of each Technical Competency
- Learning Resourcespage on MPN
- From the RSC, if you are uncertain if you have the correct business application
Q: What is the process to submit the Business Application?
A: Contact the RSCto submit the Business Application OR
Visit the Microsoft Partner Support Community online forum and follow these instructions.
- At the top of this page, click on the Participate tab and select: Ask a Question. Title your post ‘Microsoft Learning Partner Business Application”
- In the details section post the following “I would like to submit my business application”
- Submit your question in the following forum by selecting the items in the drop down:
- Category – Partner Membership
- Area - Membership
- Topic – MPN Silver/Gold Membership
Q: How can a partner contact the RSC:
A: Visit this page: During normal business hours, you should see an option to Chat with the RSC in the lower corner of the page:
If you don’t see the option to start a Chat, click on the “Troubleshoot sign-in” link for additional self-help options. Or sign-in to your account to find additional RSC contact options, such as Phone and Communities (forums).
Once in contact with the RSC, discuss with them how to submit your Business Application. Please note:E-mail is no longer an officially supported communication channel for the RSC.
Q: How long does it take to approve the Business Application?
A: The SLA to approve the business application is fifteenbusiness days.
Q: What happens after I submit the Business Application?
A: The RSC confirmsthat all sections of the Business Application are completed and all questions are answered. If information is missing you will be instructed to complete the information and re-submitthe Business Application.The RSC then sends the Business Application to the Learning Partner Team to review and approve.
Q: Does the RSC acknowledge receipt of the Business Application?
A: The RSC sends a Partner Case ID# to acknowledgement receipt of the Business Application. This acknowledgment can take place several ways: via chat, phone or forum. The RSC should issue a Partner Case ID# and, if they don't, the partner should ask for one.
Q: What do I do if I have not heard back from the RSC?
A: If you have not heard from the RSC, after ten business days,contact the RSC with your Partner Case ID# via chat, phone or forum, to inquire about the status of your Business Application.
Q: What do I do if my Business Application is denied?
A: If your Business Application is denied, the RSC will provide feedback on any outstanding requirements.
Q: How can I confirm I am enrolled in the Learning Partner Option?
A: There are two key indicators that a partner is enrolled in the Learning Option:
- Approval or Pre-Approval in the underlying Technical Competency
- Approval of the Learning Option Business Application
Q: My company wants to enroll into the Learning Option at the Gold level?
A: All Partners who wish to pursue the Gold level via the Learning Partner Option must start as Silver. Contact the RSC for details.
Q: How does a partner currently Gold in the Learning Competency enroll as Gold into the Learning Partner Option?
A: If your company is a current Gold partner and will meet thePerformance Requirementsfor the Gold Learning Partner Option follow the steps below:
- Verify you have meet the Performance Requirements
- Verify your MCTs and Customer Evidence is current
- Complete the Business Application
- Complete the Gold Business plan
Once all of these requirements have been met, contact the RSCto enroll. We suggest partners begin the enrollment process at least four weeks before their membership expires.
Q: Am I required to meet all of the requirements for the Technical Competencies I want to enroll in, in addition to meet the requirements of the Learning Partner Option?
A: Partners are not required to meet the typical cloud performance guidelines if they are enrolled using the Performance Path−Learning Option. Instead, the Learning Partner Option has unique "performance requirements" related to the number of students trained and revenue. Visit the Learning Performance Requirementsfor details.
Q: Where do I find more information about the MPN Evolution?
A: Visit MPN Evolution for more information.
Q: Why are you changing the Learning Competency Partner program?My core business is still to give training and skills to IT Pro and Developers. Is this business no longer important to Microsoft?
A: We realize and appreciate the impact that Learning partners make towards readiness. Because your work is key to driving Microsoft technology adoption, we’re mainstreaming the Learning Competency into cloud and hybrid competencies with special requirements and added benefits. Specifically, for partners meeting the student training and MCT performance requirements for Silver or Gold levels, there will be Learning Partner Options into Cloud Platform, Cloud Productivity, Cloud CRM, ERP, Datacenter, Messaging, Content and Collaboration, Project and Portfolio Management, Communications, Data Platform, Data Analytics, Enterprise Mobility Management andWindows and Devices, Application Development, Application Integration and Application Lifecycle
Q: Will the Learning Partner branding continue to help identify Learning Option Partners and if so, how do I get the new branding guidelines?
A: Branding and discoverability for Learning Partners will be retained.The guidelines and resources will continue to be available through the Program Guide and on the Learning Partner Resources page on MPN.
Q: What will happen to the "Training Use Licenses?"
A: Training use licenses for Classroom deployment will continue and will be enhanced for Silver and Gold partners. For partners not qualifying for Silver or Gold levels, Microsoft will provide an option to sign up for a Microsoft Action Pack−Learning Option (MAPs−Learning Option.)MAPs−Learning Option provides a wide range of software and benefits including free software to run your business (Windows 10 Enterprise, Office 365 E3, Enterprise Mobility Suite, a monthly credit for Microsoft Azure, Dynamics CRM Online Professional, and more), access to world-class developer tools, pre-sales support and training, digital marketing guidance from the Partner Marketing Center, connections and networking with other partners. Visit hereto learn more.
Q: How will this change impact SATV (Software Assurance Training Vouchers)?
A: There will be minimal changes to the SATV program. Qualified partners that have completed the requirements of the Learning Option, will be able to enroll and participate in the SATV program. If you have issues trying to enroll into the SATV program, please contact the RSC team.
Q: How do I enroll into the SATV program?
A: You can enroll into the program through this link. If you have issues trying to enroll into the SATV program, please contact the RSC team.
Q: Will there be changes to the twice-yearly Learning Partner Incentive program?
A: The current Learning Partner Incentive program will continue. Any changes occur at the start of a new program and will be communicated as per standard process and timing. Visithereto learn about the current program.
Q: How does this impact MDF, especially if I am not a Gold partner anymore?
A: The present MDF program will continue. Any changes occur at the start of a new program and will communicated as per standard process and timing.
Q: Why are there no longer country specific KPIs? Is certification not counted towards KPI?
A: We have simplified the program to make it easier for Learning Partners to meet the performance requirements. Based on feedback received through the Advisory Council and partner engagements, we are standardizing to one Global KPI which will be “Number of students trained.” Certification will continue as a product and would be covered under the Rebate Incentive program. Based on partnerfeedback, we have removed certification as a requirement towards meeting KPIs.
Q: Will MOC, DMOC and MOC On-Demand also be retired?
A: At this time there are no changes, all official curriculum products and certifications will continue.
Q: Will there be any changes on Microsoft certification program and if so, when will it be announced so I can review the specific details?
A: There are no changes to the Microsoft Certification program linked to the MPN program change.
Q:Does my Microsoft point of contact change with the new competency structure?
A: Right now, there are no changes to overall engagement and business relationships related to the new competency structure.
Q: As a Silver Learning Competency Partner, how can Microsoft help me differentiate myself from smaller Silver partners or grey market learning centers?
A: Microsoft is mainstreaming the Learning Competency and we will have Learning options into all of the competencies that will remain in MPN. Existing and new partners will need to qualify for the Silver level basis demonstration of qualification and performance. Attaining a Silver level will mean differentiation and superlative benefits.
Q: Will my training for Office or Dynamics be recognized in the new program?
A: There are no changes to the constituents for KPIs and as a result, end-user Office and Dynamics trainings will not be counted towards KPIs. KPIs will be based on qualified products as outline in the Performance Guidelines.
Q: Where can I get more information on the new Learning Partner Program−requirements benefits, incentives and resources?
A: Visit the Learning Partner page on MPN.
Q: Are there new participation guidelines I need to be following?
A: The Learning Partner Program Guide contains the participation guidelines for the Learning Partner program.
Q: Can I offer my training cross-border and extend my market volume?
A: Review the Learning Partner Program Guideand the Microsoft Partner Network Membership guide for current program rules.
Q: As part of a consortium can I be grandfathered and become Gold? And if so, how do I get my training licenses?
A: All license grants will follow MPN guidelines at a Partner Organization level. There are IUR benefits across competencies which are explained on MPN Portal.
Q: Is my support still through PSS (Arvato)?
A: There is no change to business engagement and terms. Partners who are supported by Arvato (PSS) will continue to receive support.
Q: What will the fee be to get the Learning Option Partner status?
A: The standard MPN fees and policies apply.
Q: What if I drop to silver: how will I cover all my training licenses?
A: License benefits (Training Use) have been enhanced across partner tiers. Please check the Training Use license benefit for Silver partners.
Q: Will Learning Competency Partners In-country awards be dropped?
A: Learning partners will retain their identity and brand.In-country award decisions are at the discretion of Microsoft.
Q: Under the new MPN program, which competencies will be allowed to purchase courseware and if so, how will customers and individuals recognize where to go for reliable and quality Microsoft training?
A: Microsoft Official Learning Product can be purchased by all MPN partners. Learning partners are able to do so at a special price and will continue to have this benefit. Silver and Gold Learning partners will be discoverable in PinPoint and will retain the “Learning Partner” branding for identity and discoverability.
Q: Given that the Learning Competency is being retired, does that mean that the competency fee goes away? Is it being replaced with some type of additional fee?
A: Learning partners will be mainstreamed into one or more of the existing MPN competencies, depending on solution expertise.The requisite fee for the competency will be applicable.There will be no separate fee.
End of FAQ