Analytics on Microsoft Azure Advanced

Specialization

Program Overview and Requirements

 Microsoft Partner Network

Program updates
Update May 2, 2022

Module B
Azure Synapse Link has been added for optional use in V2.0.1 Module B 2.1 Design control, 2.3
Proof of Concept (PoC) control and 3.1 Deployment evidence controls

Guidance for the definition of Proof of Concepts and Pilots has been added to the FAQ

Jan 1, 2022
Guidance and FAQ updates

Oct 1, 2021
New V2.0 checklist available for partners
Microsoft made available a preview of the new Module B workload audit checklist V2.0 Analytics on Microsoft Azure
advanced specialization, October 1, 2021
Aug 20, 2021
New audit fee schedule
Please note the new audit fee schedule effective July 1, 2021

• For audits comprised of both Modules A and B, the audit fee is $3,000
• For audits comprised of Module B alone (available for partners who previously passed
Module A), the fee is $2,000

Update May 2, 2022

Module A
The partner Preview for the updated Module A Cloud Foundation checklist is available here.
The Module A Cloud Foundation checklist has these updates required July 1, 2022

• In 1.1 a new tool is available to use for Cloud Adoption Business Strategy and
Economics, (the
Cloud Adoption Strategy Evaluator).
• In 2.2 a new Skilling Plan has been added to the Plan checklist. This is required for
Module A audits July 1, 2022.
• In 3.1 a new, optional Deployment Approach for Azure Landing Zones, the Full
Azure Landing Zone Conceptual Architecture has been added for partners to
demonstrate in deployment approaches.
• Bicep has been added to use a resource when providing evidence for control 3.1 in
customer environments.
 Microsoft Partner Network

Program overview
The Analytics on Microsoft Azure advanced specialization validates a partner’s deep experience in planning and
delivering analytics solutions in Microsoft Azure, enabling customers to use the full breadth of their data
assets to help build transformative and secure analytical solutions at enterprise scale.

The Analytics on Microsoft Azure advanced specialization allows partners with an active Gold Cloud Platform
Competency to further differentiate their organizations, validate their capabilities, and build stronger
connections with customers through their ability to plan and deliver tailored Microsoft analytics solutions using
Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Databricks.

Partners who meet the comprehensive requirements to earn an advanced specialization receive a customer-
facing label they can display on their business profile in the Microsoft AppSource Partner Gallery, gain access
to specific Microsoft go-to-market programs, are prioritized in customer searches to drive new business, and
can generate a certified letter from Microsoft that verifies the advanced specialization that they have earned.
Learn more about Azure advanced specializations.

What are the requirements?

Eligible partners must meet the highest standards for service delivery and support. All requirements will
be verified by Microsoft and/or a third-party vendor, either automatically or by manual review, and are
subject to change.

Requirements Details
Competency Your company must have an active Gold Cloud Platform Competency

Performance Your company must show an average of $3,000 USD of Azure consumed revenue (ACR)
from Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Factory, or Azure Databricks
aggregated across all customers in the previous three (3) months.
AND
Your company must show an average of $1,500 USD of ACR from Azure Synapse
Analytics in the previous three (3) months from at least three (3) customers (aggregated
from across your customers).

Azure Synapse Analytics ACR is determined through Service Group 3 as SQL DW, Data
Lake ACR through Service Group 3 as Azure Data Lake, Databricks ACR through Service
Group 3 as Databricks, Databricks VM and Azure Data Factory ACR through Service
Group 3 as Data Factory. Learn more about Azure consumption calculations.

Please note: Customer ACR from Azure Synapse Analytics will be counted towards
meeting both parts of the requirement above.

Your company should achieve ACR through Digital Partner of Record, Partner Admin
Link, and Cloud Solution Provider. Government subscriptions (i.e., Fairfax) are not eligible
for ACR via PAL association.
 Knowledge Your company must have at least three individuals pass the following certifications
(each certification listed below must be held by at least one individual):

• Azure Data Engineer Associate

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert

You can have a combination of the same individuals or different individuals to meet the
certification requirement.

Audit Your company must pass a third-party audit. Please see the audit checklist for more
details.

How do I apply?
Only administrators of an organizations’ Microsoft partner account can submit an application for Analytics on
Microsoft Azure advanced specialization on behalf of the organization. If you have the appropriate role and
access, you can apply by signing into your Partner Center account and navigating to your Partner Center
Dashboard > Competencies > Advanced Specialization to start.