{"id":22760,"date":"2021-06-16T18:32:12","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T22:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherweb.com\/blog\/?p=22760"},"modified":"2025-09-06T01:31:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T05:31:05","slug":"tips-for-navigating-microsoft-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/r-swca2-app15-sherwebbl-change-font-czgcf8cmcjh3asb3.canadacentral-01.azurewebsites.net\/blog\/sherweb-perspectives\/partner-program-perspectives\/tips-for-navigating-microsoft-ecosystem\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for navigating the Microsoft ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Navigating the Microsoft ecosystem can certainly appear challenging. There are so many interconnected products and services, so much documentation, and so many dependencies, Microsoft cloud solution providers (CSPs) can\u2019t be blamed for avoiding the more complex portions of the catalog. But that would be a mistake.<\/p>\n

The Microsoft ecosystem is filled with powerful tools that you and your customers can leverage to make business faster, easier, and more effective. Fortunately for you, Sherweb\u2019s experts know the Microsoft ecosystem front to back, top to bottom.<\/p>\n

They know where the hidden gems are located. They know the pitfalls you need to watch out for. In other words, they know how to make a Microsoft CSP\u2019s life easier.<\/p>\n

Here are our experts\u2019 top tips for getting the most out of the Microsoft ecosystem.
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Tip #1: Make sure you\u2019re using the right MPN ID<\/h2>\n

Did you know that you can have more than one Microsoft Partner Network ID<\/a>? Your MPN ID gives you access to Microsoft\u2019s presales and deployment services, licenses, product support, and most importantly, allows you to collect rewards through Microsoft\u2019s various incentive programs.<\/p>\n

Old MPN IDs are often tied to expired programs. Or you simply might have accidentally created multiple IDs when registering for new services.<\/p>\n

When associating your MPN ID with a CSP Indirect Provider, such as Sherweb, you need to use your Cloud Service Provider (CSP) MPN ID. You can find which ID this is in your Microsoft Partner Center<\/a> dashboard.<\/p>\n

To check, sign on as a Global admin and go to Account Settings > Organization Profile > Identifiers. If you do not see a CSP MPN ID listed, you may need to enroll as an Indirect Reseller or create a new MPN ID<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tip #2: Know the difference between your Global MPN ID and your location MPN ID<\/h2>\n

You should have a location MPN ID for every country in which you carry out business as a Microsoft CSP. Among other things, you\u2019ll use this ID to enroll in location-based incentive programs and to conduct CSP business transactions. You use your global MPN ID to manage your overall Microsoft Partner account and any non-transactional requests.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example. The ABC Cloud Service Provider is a registered legal business in the United States, but it also conducts business in Canada. ABC has a Partner Global Account (PGA) in the United States and a global MPN ID tied to it for all of its non-transactional operations. It also has location MPN IDs for both the US and Canada. Their incentive program rewards payouts are connected to each of those locations.<\/p>\n

You can manage your MPN ID locations<\/a> in the Partner Center dashboard. Go to Settings > Account settings. The \u201cLegal\u201d tab will load by default. If you scroll to the bottom, you\u2019ll see all your business locations and can manage them there.<\/p>\n

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Tip #3: Set the right roles and permissions for your Microsoft Partner Account<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re enrolled in the CSP program, you should assign several roles to yourself to properly manage all of the different components of your Microsoft Partner Center<\/a>. For example, the Partner Network itself and incentives administration. You can see which roles you currently have configured in the MPC dashboard. Go to Settings > My profile > Details page > Roles and permissions tab.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, make sure you\u2019ve correctly configured your Global Admin role. Also, be sure to assign the Admin agent role if the user intends on doing any type of admin work with your customers.<\/p>\n

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Tip #4: Confirm Your Indirect Reseller status is active<\/h2>\n

Just because you can sign into the Partner Center dashboard doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re fully enrolled in the CSP program. You must first accept the Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) to activate your Indirect Reseller status and gain all the benefits of that role.<\/p>\n

You can find your reseller status back on the Legal profile tab, under the \u201cReseller\u201d sub tab.<\/p>\n

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Microsoft sends you the MPA after you\u2019ve associated your MPN ID with your CSP account, which we covered above in Tip #1. You will typically need to wait three to five days for Microsoft to verify your enrollment, and then you will be prompted to sign the MPA the next time you log into the Partner Center using Global admin credentials. If your account remains unverified after five business days, you may need to resolve one or more issues before proceeding, which Microsoft details in their Partner Center<\/a> documentation.<\/p>\n

You can see which agreements you’ve accepted on the corresponding tab in your Account settings.<\/p>\n

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Tip #5: Become a big deal with Microsoft Certifications<\/h2>\n

Obtaining Microsoft certifications<\/a> can help generate the competitive advantage you need to stand out in a crowded CSP market. Microsoft offers a wide range of certifications you can choose from to impress your target customers. Choose from:<\/p>\n