Microsoft raises Dynamics 365 Cloud Business Apps competency requirements, seeking partner differentiation

Microsoft recently introduced the Cloud Business Applications competency for partners that specialize in deploying and managing Dynamics 365 solutions.

This new competency combines the traditional Dynamics CRM and ERP apps into one competency and increases the number of technicians that need to pass the certifications.

To achieve the new Silver competency for the Enterprise Customer Engagement and Enterprise Operations options, partners must have five technicians pass three exams (the exams are different for each option). To achieve Gold competency for the Enterprise Customer Engagement and Enterprise Operations options, partners are required to have 15 technicians pass three exams (the exams are different for each option).

"There is a high bar for this competency, especially for Gold, based on feedback from customers about what they expect from partners that deliver solutions of this kind," according to a Microsoft spokesperson. "As always, Microsoft gives partners a generous runway to meet any significant changes to requirements which may impact their partner status."

However, Microsoft explained, there have been no changes to the requirements for the Silver (two techs/two exams) and Gold (four techs/two exams) Cloud Customer Relationship Management competencies for the last 18 months. Newer exam versions are a standard practice for all competencies.

All the exam requirements for the Silver and Gold Enterprise Resource Planning competencies were recently removed, so requirements for this competency are less strenuous than in the past. Partners must ...