All six core designations, how they are earned, why only a small elite hold all six. What replaced the retired Gold Partner tier.
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Microsoft Solutions Partner Designations replaced the retired Gold/Silver Partner tiers in October 2022. Six core designations: Data & AI, Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation. Earned via 3-pillar scoring (Performance + Skilling + Customer Success), re-qualified annually. Fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six simultaneously. Advanced Specializations layer on top for deeper validated expertise. EPC Group holds all six core designations.
Microsoft Solutions Partner designations are earned partner credentials introduced October 2022 to replace the retired Gold and Silver Partner tiers. Each designation validates a partner's technical capability, customer success, and skilling in a specific solution area under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. Six core designations exist: Data & AI (Azure), Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure (Azure), Security, and Digital & App Innovation (Azure). Advanced Specializations layer on top for deeper validated expertise in specific technologies (e.g., "Analytics on Microsoft Azure", "Identity and Access Management").
Three-pillar scoring model (each pillar worth 100 points, need 70+ per pillar): (1) Performance — net new customer additions in the designation area, customer usage growth measured via Microsoft billing/telemetry, retention rates. (2) Skilling — number of certified professionals holding relevant Microsoft certifications (e.g., DP-600 for Data & AI, MS-100 for Modern Work). (3) Customer Success — deployment references, usage growth on Microsoft cloud, customer satisfaction survey scores. Partners re-qualify annually. Missing any pillar means losing the designation.
Holding ALL six core Solutions Partner designations simultaneously (Data & AI + Modern Work + Business Applications + Infrastructure + Security + Digital & App Innovation) is rare — fewer than 200 partners globally hold all six. It requires: (1) Deep technical capability across the entire Microsoft cloud stack (not just one area). (2) Active customer deployments generating measurable usage across all six areas. (3) A large enough certified workforce to cover all six specialty areas. (4) Sustained delivery excellence — one weak area drops the whole set. EPC Group holds all six designations, evidence of end-to-end Microsoft delivery capability.
The Microsoft Gold Partner tier retired September 30 2022 and was replaced by Solutions Partner designations. Old Gold Partner meant "certified partner with proven customer wins." New Solutions Partner is a higher bar: it measures performance + skilling + customer success continuously, not once-per-competency-cycle. Firms that were previously Gold Partners had to earn Solutions Partner designations after Oct 2022 based on the new framework. Any firm still advertising Microsoft Gold Partner status in 2026 has not renewed under the new framework.
Yes. Solutions Partner Designations are the foundational tier — Data & AI, Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation. Advanced Specializations layer on top of a designation to validate deeper expertise in a specific solution. Examples: "Analytics on Microsoft Azure" (advanced on Data & AI), "Identity and Access Management" (advanced on Security), "Adoption and Change Management" (advanced on Modern Work), "Windows Server and SQL Server Migration to Azure" (advanced on Infrastructure). Advanced Specializations require passing customer case-study audits + technical assessments beyond the base Designation.
Four reasons: (1) Validation — Microsoft has verified the firm's capability via billing telemetry, certifications, and customer surveys. (2) Access — Solutions Partners get preview features, private previews, Microsoft engineering escalation paths, and marketing co-funding. (3) Compliance — regulated industries often require Solutions Partner status for cloud engagements. (4) Elimination — partners without any Designations either dropped from the program or never qualified, both meaningful signals. Match Designation to your project: buying Copilot? Look for Modern Work + Security + Data & AI. Buying Azure? Look for Infrastructure + Security.
EPC Group holds all six core Solutions Partner designations under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: Data & AI (Azure), Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure (Azure), Security, and Digital & App Innovation (Azure). This end-to-end capability reflects Microsoft consulting focus (Since 1997), 6,500+ SharePoint implementations, 1,500+ Power BI deployments, and 11,000+ total enterprise engagements across Fortune 500 healthcare, finance, and government. Fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six designations simultaneously.
EPC Group holds all six core Solutions Partner designations. Verify at partner.microsoft.com. Call (888) 381-9725.
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