Digital transformation is key to succeeding in our modern business environment. As organizations across the planet evolve how and where they work, the resulting complexity generates challenges our partners are well-positioned to solve for our customers. Because we know how vital you are to our mutual customers’ success, we make ongoing investments to ensure you’re armed with the necessary resources, guidance, and tools to provide the support they need.

It’s important for partners to stay dialed into these changes and advancements so they can bring the full power of the Microsoft partner ecosystem to bear for customers. To make sure you have visibility into what’s available to you as a Microsoft partner, I’ve rounded up some of the new or updated resources and tools from the past quarter:

• We announced the upcoming release of Windows 11. Completely reimagined and simplified, Windows 11 offers an open platform to spur fresh ways of connecting and innovating, unlocking new opportunities for ISVs, GSI and advisory partners, and channel sales across the network. Last week, we also published additional resources for partners on helping customers plan for Windows 11 in their environments.

• We have added programmatic access to Partner Center Insights, opening more customized reporting and integration with internal BI systems and platforms. The API for accessing reports enables partners to schedule custom analytics reports asynchronously and define reporting queries and templates based on business and scheduling needs to access timely and trustworthy reporting at scheduled intervals.

• The Microsoft 365 team shared a roundup of recent updates, including messaging and meeting advancements in Microsoft Teams, the release of Organization Explorer in Outlook, a customized Microsoft Bookings experience, and more.

• Microsoft CVP Vasu Jakkal shared guidance to help secure your hybrid workplace through implementing a Zero Trust security framework. She also provided additional resources that can help your customers trim down the learning curve on adopting Zero Trust.

• In response to partner feedback, and to support our digitization strategy, we have replaced MBO Readiness email communications related to product changes with line-item entries in a centralized product calendar.

• The Microsoft Azure team created a “What I Wish I Knew” video series that features manufacturing business leaders from across the Microsoft Partner ecosystem, including Stanley Black & Decker, Attabotics, Fermax, Siemens Gamesa, and the Buhler Group. They share firsthand insights regarding best practices and common pitfalls to avoid while navigating the setup and deployment of successful IoT solutions, including how they have used Azure IoT to simplify processes.

• We’ve continued to build out our Go-to-Market resources, which are designed to help partners accelerate time to market, drive demand, and grow their cloud business. You can find resources designed to help you along your marketing journey, from digital marketing consultation to customizable co-branded marketing assets. As part of our ongoing investment in this area, we recently launched the Partner Go-to-Market Toolbox, a one-stop destination for partners to meet their co-branding with Microsoft needs. The GTM Toolbox digitally transforms the tools and processes used to deliver Go-to-Market programs and offers to partners through innovative marketing technology—available around the clock from any location in 10 different languages. Partners with a gold competency and/or ISVs with a co-sell incentive eligible offer have immediate access, with additional access rolling out over the coming months.

• We hosted a Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event where multiple new solutions capabilities and changes were announced as part of the Wave updates we’re making to standard solutions. Then at the 2021 Microsoft Business Applications Summit in May, additional features and capabilities were announced for Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Power BI, and Dynamics 365. These include a new integration between Dynamics 365 Customer Insights and Microsoft Advertising, a new user group experience for Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform, and the goals in Power BI feature. To ensure you’re aware of the latest updates, you can watch sessions from the summit on-demand here.

• As part of our new commerce experience, we released purchasing guidance for partners and customers to clarify the differences between the breadth and enterprise motions, and to define which is most likely to be the best fit for different customers.

• We released the results of our annual report, “Racial Equity Initiative: Strengthening Our Communities,” which focuses on justice reform, affordable broadband, skills and education, and nonprofit empowerment.

We shared news and resources as part of Microsoft Inspire last week. I’ll cover some of this in our next update on Microsoft Partner Network updates but in the meantime, I encourage you to review the news announcements and catch up on the on-demand sessions.

The tech intensity generated by the complex business landscape will only increase over time, generating additional opportunities for the Microsoft ecosystem. We’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re prepared to help customers with their digital transformation journeys, and we’ll continue to share updates along the way. I look forward to seeing what we accomplish as we continue to work together.