The Top 7 Things That Make a Good Microsoft Solutions Partner

Choosing a Microsoft Solutions Partner is one of those decisions that looks simple on the surface — until you're six months into an implementation and wondering why nothing is going as planned. The difference between a smooth rollout and an expensive setback usually comes down to who you picked, not what software you chose. Before you sign anything, take a close look at what a true Microsoft Solutions Partner brings to the table — and use these seven criteria to guide your evaluation.

1. They Hold an Official Microsoft Solutions Partner Designation

This one sounds obvious, but it trips up more buyers than you'd expect. Microsoft restructured its entire partner program in 2022, replacing the old Gold and Silver competency tiers with a new designation called Microsoft Solutions Partner. To earn it, a company must demonstrate verified performance across three categories: Performance, Skilling, and Customer Success — all scored through Microsoft's Partner Center, with a minimum of 70 points out of 100 required. According to Microsoft's official documentation, this program ensures that only organizations with proven, measurable expertise can carry the designation.

If a company calls themselves a Microsoft partner but can't point to a current Solutions Partner designation in a specific solution area — Business Applications, Modern Work, Security, or another — push harder. Experience claims are easy to make. Designations require documented proof.

St. Louis Based Microsoft Solutions Partner

2. Their People Hold Active Certifications — Not Just Old Ones

A good partner doesn't just employ certified consultants — they employ consultants whose certifications are current and relevant to the solution you're deploying. Under Microsoft's Partner Capability Score, the Skilling component measures the depth of active certifications across an organization's linked employees. This isn't a one-time checkbox — it requires ongoing learning as the platform evolves, especially with Microsoft releasing significant updates each release wave.

Ask any prospective partner how many certified consultants they have specifically for your solution — Dynamics 365 Business Central, Finance & Supply Chain Management, Customer Engagement, or Power Platform. Then ask when those certifications were last renewed. Stale credentials on a rapidly evolving cloud platform are a real risk that shows up mid-project.

3. They Have Industry-Specific Experience, Not Just Technical Know-How

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is highly configurable. That's its strength — and its trap. A consultant who knows the platform but doesn't understand your industry will configure it to fit their own knowledge, not your business. Whether you're in medical device manufacturing, government contracting, distribution, or professional services, your partner needs to have actually worked in your world, not just read about it.

Ask for case studies in your vertical. Ask how many active clients they support in your industry right now. The best partners don't just understand ERP — they understand why a discrete manufacturer needs production orders to flow differently than a professional services firm billing by the hour. That distinction only comes from real industry depth.

4. They Have a Clear, Transparent Implementation Process

Vague project plans and inflated timelines are early warning signs. A good partner shows you exactly what the implementation involves: discovery, design, data migration, configuration, testing, training, go-live, and post-launch support — and they put it in writing in a Statement of Work that lays out activities, milestones, and costs clearly before the project starts.

A useful test: ask them what percentage of their implementations come in within 10% of the original budget. Good partners track this. The ones who can't answer that question probably don't have a clean record to share.

5. They Can Back Up Claims With Real References

Customer logos on a homepage aren't references — they're decoration. A serious Microsoft Solutions Partner can connect you with actual clients who will talk candidly about their experience: what went well, what was harder than expected, and whether they'd hire that partner again if they were starting over.

Specifically ask for references in industries similar to yours, and ask for references from projects that hit complications — because every complex ERP implementation does. How a partner handles problems mid-project tells you far more than how they perform when everything goes smoothly.

6. They're Built for the Long Haul, Not Just Go-Live

An ERP implementation isn't a project with an end date. It's the beginning of a long-term operating relationship. The platform evolves. Your business changes. New features release. Compliance requirements shift. You need a partner invested in your success long after the go-live celebration — not one who marks the project complete and moves on.

Look for partners with dedicated ongoing support resources, proactive communication about platform updates relevant to your configuration, and a track record of clients who have stayed with them for years. The go-live is the starting line, not the finish line.

7. They Feel Like a Partner, Not a Vendor

This last one is harder to measure but easy to feel in the first conversation. Does the team actually listen before they start talking? Do they ask about your goals, your people, and your constraints — or do they jump straight to slides about their product line and their awards?

The best Microsoft Solutions Partners lead with curiosity before they lead with answers. They push back when they need to. They tell you honestly when something isn't the right fit, even if it costs them the deal. That kind of candor is rare — but it's the clearest signal that you're talking to a real partner, not just a vendor looking to close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Microsoft Solutions Partner?

A Microsoft Solutions Partner is an organization that has earned a formal designation from Microsoft by demonstrating verified performance, certified staff, and measurable customer success in a specific solution area — such as Business Applications, Modern Work, Security, Data & AI, or Infrastructure.

How do I verify a company is a Microsoft Solutions Partner?

You can verify a partner's active designation on Microsoft's partner directory at partner.microsoft.com, where all current Solutions Partner designations are publicly listed by company and solution area.

What replaced the Microsoft Gold Partner designation?

In 2022, Microsoft replaced the Gold and Silver competency program with the Microsoft Solutions Partner designation, which uses a Partner Capability Score evaluated across Performance, Skilling, and Customer Success. The new system requires active, ongoing proof of expertise.

What questions should I ask when evaluating a Microsoft Solutions Partner?

Ask whether they hold a current designation in the relevant solution area, how many certified consultants they have for your specific solution, whether they can provide industry references, what percentage of their implementations come in on budget, and what their post-go-live support model looks like.

Ready to Work With a Partner Who Checks Every Box?

There's no shortage of companies willing to call themselves a Microsoft partner. What's harder to find is a partner who has actually earned it — through a verified designation, certified talent, real industry depth, a transparent process, and a track record that clients will stand behind.

If you're evaluating your options for Microsoft Dynamics 365, request a consultation and let's have an honest conversation about what the right fit looks like.