March update: What’s New in Azure for Partners

• Seamless Migration to Superior Performance & Security: Azure Database for PostgreSQL now enables businesses to upgrade from older databases like Oracle to a fully managed, open-source environment with enterprise-level performance and dependability. Leveraging new AI-driven migration tools and integrated planning, this platform simplifies processes and enhances resilience—all while reducing costs and complexity. Shift your databases to Azure PostgreSQL for superior performance, security, and an easier migration experience. You can modernise your databases quickly, utilise high-performance storage, and protect your assets with Azure’s advanced security, all from one integrated platform.

For further details, check out our Tech Community post.

• Enhance Your Microsoft Marketplace Listing: In an increasingly crowded Microsoft Marketplace, a well-crafted listing can make all the difference. Microsoft now offers AI-driven, on-demand recommendations to help partners refine their Marketplace entries—free of charge. With App Advisor, partners receive tailored insights in seconds, eliminating the need for lengthy review cycles. The AI model is based on Marketplace best practices and works alongside Microsoft’s expert reviews, allowing for confident adjustments to listings. The iterative experience enables partners to update listings, rescan them, and receive fresh insights frequently—supporting ongoing optimisation for improved visibility and engagement. Any organisation with a public Marketplace listing is eligible to participate, and those with multiple listings can run assessments for each.

Getting started is easy:

1. Go to App Advisor, log in, and select your Marketplace offer.

2. Get actionable recommendations almost instantly.

3. Optimise your listing and rescanning as necessary.

To start enhancing your listing today, visit App Advisor now.

• Discover Insights from the Omdia Microsoft Marketplace Study: A recent commissioned study by Omdia indicates that Microsoft Marketplace could represent a $300 billion revenue opportunity for partners by 2030. Partners currently selling through the Marketplace report impressive results: 88% see revenue growth, 75% close deals faster, and 69% secure larger contracts. Download the report.

• Bring Your Azure Vision to Life with AI + Data: AI + Data Go Big is Microsoft’s comprehensive, end-to-end go-to-market strategy aimed at helping clients unlock the value of AI through a prepared data foundation. Partners play a vital role in scaling these solutions through reliable integrations. They can assist businesses in prioritising AI initiatives, especially when data readiness poses a challenge, while taking advantage of Microsoft’s extensive offerings to drive success. Available partner resources include the partner value proposition, several pitch collections (Foundry, Fabric, and Database), along with the Azure Frontier Offer for qualifying opportunities. More Azure and Data pitch decks will be released by the end of March here.

• Access New Microsoft Azure Go-to-Market Assets: Partners are crucial in transforming cloud investments into real benefits for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). With an array of new marketing resources depicting the SMB market opportunity for Microsoft Azure, you can swiftly build your pipeline, expand your SMB clientele, and enhance existing workloads—all while facilitating secure cloud transformations at scale. These tools are crafted to deepen customer experiences—whether you’re broadening outreach efforts, equipping your teams with insightful tools, providing ongoing managed services, or creating scalable cloud solutions. Embracing these resources can fortify your cloud operations, enhance Azure adoption, and yield smarter, AI-driven outcomes that solidify customer relationships. Explore the Azure SMB content collection

• Marketplace Rewards Update: Azure Sponsorship Now Available on More MCA Billing Profiles: We are excited to announce that we’ve streamlined how partners involved with Microsoft Marketplace Rewards can utilise Azure sponsorship credits if they or their clients operate under the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) billing model. For Global Cloud, partners can now apply their Azure sponsorship credits to an MCA billing profile that has any Azure Credit Offer (ACO) credits. This modification lifts previous restrictions that complicated the redemption process, making it easier for partners and customers alike. However, the following guidelines continue to apply:

– This update solely affects those using Azure sponsorship via Marketplace Rewards.

– A billing profile cannot have multiple active sponsorships redeemed simultaneously.

– This change does not impact other requirements for Azure sponsorship eligibility.

• Join Us at FabCon US 2026 in Atlanta: FABCON and SQLCON will take place from March 16–20, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. Don’t miss out—get your tickets before they sell out! This is a prime chance to explore the latest innovations and connect with customers, Microsoft specialists, and fellow professionals. Don’t forget to participate in Partner Day on March 17 for exclusive insights.

• Upskill with the Azure VMware Solution (AVS) Bootcamp: AVS, a Microsoft service in partnership with VMware, runs on Azure’s infrastructure. The AVS bootcamp 2026 equips partners with guidance for a smooth transition to Azure using familiar VMware tools. Attendees will understand how AVS facilitates the migration of VMware workloads to the cloud and enables management of existing environments with the tools they’re accustomed to. View the on-demand bootcamp to select which sales and technical sessions interest you most.

• Discover AI-Powered Migration and Modernisation at the Microsoft Azure Summit: Migrate & Modernise with Agentic AI is making a return on April 23 (Americas). Encourage your customers to join to learn how new AI-assisted tools and features can help them modernise quickly and efficiently. Stay tuned for registration details.

• Gain Skills to Achieve New Microsoft Business Certifications with Skills2Win: Participate in a free, three-day virtual Sales Certification Week aimed at equipping partner sellers with practical AI knowledge, real-world applications, and the opportunity to validate their AI readiness through Microsoft credentials—without taking extensive time away from their sales efforts. This no-cost event runs from March 23 – 25 in a half-day virtual schedule, with two session slots: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT or 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM PT. Space is limited, so be sure to register today.