Microsoft Updating Competency Program, Changes Certification Impact?

I work in Microsoft environments, and companies that are Microsoft partners get an edge in certain business arenas. Microsoft rarely has engineers that they send out to do repairs, unless you are a giant like the government, and even then, it can be a pain to get support.  So the corporate world as we know it relies on Microsoft Partners and Engineers that come recommended, certified, etc.

As of this month, Microsoft is instating the new competency program, which changes how employees qualify towards competencies an organization can achieve and be listed for in the MS Partner program. Individuals with certifications will only be permitted to be applied toward a single competency. This will be a major hit to small businesses who are currently gold members. It will not only effect how the competencies are display, where the organizations are listed, and how certifications are applied (not to mention certification benefits programs). It will also impact the licensing model that many organizations are following based on current gold partnerships and licensing benefits based on prior competencies.

An example of a ‘Gold’ level competency in Virtualization requires the following:

1. Each MCP must pass both (70-401 and 70-656) OR 70-669
2. Each of 4 individuals must: Option 1: Satisfy the exam requirements (70-401, 70-656, 70-669) and posses the following certification: MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 OR Option 2: Possess MCITP: Virtualization Administration Certification
3. Sales Professionals: More learning on Selling Desktop Virtualization

On the up side, it will force organizations to keep their people up to date on certifications, and ensure that the organizations are actually ‘competent’ in their field.

The competency paths and more details can be found here, https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40011230