What free access to the Dynamics Learning Portal means for Microsoft customers and partners

A few years ago, Microsoft launched the Dynamics Learning Portal. The portal was an answer to all the requests from Microsoft Dynamics partners out there pleading for better training content and a better platform to consume that content. Up until then, partners were consuming content via PartnerSource, but the content was difficult to find and required organizations to give regular consultants access to lots ofunrelated (and sometimes sensitive) information. So most partners were asking for a solution that would focus mainly on the readiness and training side of things.

The Partner Readiness team at Microsoft made a few decisions with the creation of the Dynamics Learning Portal. First, the portal will focus on readiness, which means not just providing on-demand courses, but serving as central resource for accessing in-person training and other readiness related events.

Microsoft asked partners to pay $1,000 per year to gain access to the content and functionality available through the portal to cover the costs of creating and maintaining it. I personally thought the expense was so minuscule that partners would have no problem paying it. Think about it: you pay $1,000 and all of your employees gain access to dozens of amazing courses and readiness opportunities. It was a no brainer.

And I was right, it was a no brainer for most Dynamics partners, but not for partners who don't focus on Dynamics. Some partners just want to learn how to use Power BI or gain some pre-sales skills to have an intelligent conversation with prospects about Business Applications. And it offered no help to customers looking to add value to their solution investments through ongoing learning and skills development.