If I understand this correctly (and I was contacted by a senior technology journalist today who confirmed my understanding), Microsoft is removing IUR licenses from ALL Partners (including Gold and Silver) effective July 2020. Another example, if any were needed, of the continued erosion of benefits to Microsoft Partners and evidence of complete chaos in the MPN program. This must be the worst move by Microsoft in 30 years and may see the end of the MPN program as we know it today. A very sad day. I hear on the Partner grapevine that there is uproar in the MPN community about this. Not at all unsurprising. Will be interested to see how Microsoft survives Inspire after this rather critical announcement. See the link below :- https://lnkd.in/ebjnPaQ #technology #cloud #microsoft #influence #business #IUR_RIP #MPN_NailInTheCoffin #partner #partnerprogram #MPN
Mark Lawton
5y
Gavriella has answered the "Why"........ https://channellife.com.au/story/microsoft-cuts-partner-benefit-in-surprise-move
No Inspiration for MS partners going forward. Hope Microsoft is going Open Source way!!
Kelvin Kirby
5y
UPDATE : I have contacted several people at Microsoft, but getting conflicting information from internal sources. Some say they can't comment. Some do but give differing responses. Seems that even within the mothership there is uncertainty - the last statement I received stated "partners can still use the product licenses earned through their competencies for internal use but they cannot be used to host or sell a service or solution" - seems there are different interpretations of "internal use" because "use for commercial and operational reasons, is apparently, not permitted" !! #Confused
WTF??? This is ridiculous!! Interested to see how Microsoft address this one at Microsoft Expire next week - oh sorry I mean Microsoft Inspire! ;-) Although I can't see much inspiration or goodwill coming from Microsoft with these announcements. Should be an interesting, if not uncomfortable, few days for Microsoft and partners alike next week in Las Vegas!
Mark Lawton
5y
Peversely this is the slide that Joe Macri put up at the recent event in Manchester - 60% of all cloud revenue driven by CSP Partners
How Crazy!! Would love to know who made the ultimate decision on this. And whether they would survive the annual jobs culling that normally takes place during the week of Inspire!!
Alison Howes
5y
Go to agree that this seems a shortsighted move by Microsoft - What are they thinking? If it is part of a larger strategy then that should have been communicated. If its a prelude to ditching MPN then they should be honest and say that too so partners can prepare. Very strange move on Microsoft's part. Doesn't make any sense.
Kelvin Kirby
5y
Word from other's in the partner community is that Microsoft "Inspire" is being referred to as Microsoft "Expire" !! ;-)
Kelvin Kirby
5y
Update : See the Post from Scott Bekker of Redmond Channel Partner Magazine here - https://rcpmag.com/blogs/scott-bekker/2019/07/microsoft-killing-its-most-popular-partner-benefit.aspx?m=1 specifically the update section. Having reviewed this section it remains suspiciously vague with some comments appearing to be contradictory. Let's see what is announced at the Microsoft Partner Conference, Inspire in a weeks time!
B2B Marketing Consultant | Helping Microsoft Partners Build Thought Leadership and Become Go-To Authorities | Founder & CEO @Narativa Communications
5yKelvin Kirby the IAMCP - not sure if you're a member of not - has formed a committee that will try to investigate the reasons for this surprising decision, as well as its agenda. We are currently gathering feedback from partners. Have a look at the news on our website, mentioning this initiative in the closing lines: https://www.iamcp.org/news/460258/Changes-in-Microsoft-Action-Pack-The-End-of-the-Internal-Use-Rights-IUR-for-Partners.htm