Microsoft to bring back SMB ERP certifications via Dynamics 365, part of MPN cloud competency update

Microsoft plans to re-introduce SMB ERP certification exams as part of the Cloud Business Applications Competency and its focus on Dynamics 365 for Finance & Operations Business edition. The updated competency is expected to be available in the last quarter of 2017 and will have both skill and performance thresholds for Silver and Gold levels.

Microsoft has reportedly communicated this news to partners and included the following slide.

As the first row indicates, the competency includes "exams specific to Business edition Apps" including "Finance & Operations" as well as Sales and Marketing. The fine print at the bottom states that the revenue thresholds will "[include] revenue from Dynamics 365 for Business, NAV, GP, SL."

Bringing back an SMB ERP certification, as well as SMB sales and marketing competencies, marks a shift from the cancelation of exams for Dynamics GP, NAV, and SL in 2014. At the time, that move upset many veterans in the partner community and sparked discussions with and about Microsoft regarding the importance of the SMB ERP product line in contrast to the enterprise market.

As the slide above explains, the new exams are aimed at refocusing on SMB revenue, customer adds, and expertise, as well as new partner onboarding. While the Dynamics 365 SMB apps are based on existing products, the reality is that all three of these apps are still largely ...