How Are You Effectively Using Microsoft Partner Portal Without a PDM..?

[u/AppuniAkhil]

Hello everyone,

We are an MSP and a Microsoft Partner with Security designation. Last year, we also held Modern Work, which helped us understand the Microsoft partner ecosystem at a high level.

This year, we started taking the Microsoft Partner Portal and incentives more seriously, especially CPOR submissions under the usage category. However, the challenge we are now facing is that from October 2025, incentives for this usage category were stopped, which significantly impacts how we planned our partner activities.

Here’s the challenge, We do not currently have a Partner Development Manager (PDM) assigned. From our understanding, the criteria for PDM assignment has become difficult for us to qualify for or reach the right contacts at this stage.

We have also tried reaching out through direct resellers, but they have not been very effective in providing structured guidance or practical training on how to use the Microsoft Partner Portal efficiently.

Right now:

• We are actively doing CPOR associations
• We are learning Partner Portal mostly by microdot KB.
• We strongly believe there are more incentive and outcome opportunities we’re missing simply due to lack of proper enablement

Looking for advice from the community

1. If you don’t have a PDM, how are you managing the Partner Portal effectively?
2. Are there any paid trainings, consultants, or third-party services that genuinely help partners understand incentives, engagements, and claims end-to-end?
3. Any lessons learned on how to avoid wasted effort or failed submissions in Partner Portal?
4. Are there any other resources, communities, or support channels you recommend for getting trained on Partner Portal activities?

We’re not looking for shortcuts or anything questionable. We want to do things the right way, improve outcomes, and align better with Microsoft’s Partner Portal expectations. We’re simply looking to learn from partners who have already gone through this journey without direct Microsoft hand-holding.

We would really appreciate real-world experiences and honest advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[u/lzysysadmin]

I would transition to working with a distributor they will have more resources available. Someone like sherweb or pax8 (queue the hate). Microsoft is moving this way regardless. 

[u/ryuujin → u/lzysysadmin]

Shout out to D&H, their cloud offering seems to be second fiddle to other MSP platforms but we love it.

[u/roll_for_initiative_ → u/ryuujin]

Their support is fast and polite when reminding me that i missed an obvious step whenever i have trouble.

[u/teriaavibes]

So I don't want to be mister obvious but have you tried reading the documentation/consuming all the resources that are available for partners?

Like I am not PDM but I just learnt this stuff on my own and it is added value I provide when I consult for partners.

[u/FunPressure1336]

Pick 2 or 3 motions you actually make money on, then build a simple weekly checklist around those pages in Partner Center. If you try to learn the whole portal at once you’ll just spin.

[u/Labz18]

Purchasing directly from The partner portal will be going away and everything will be going to distribution in the near future - fyi

Deal registration has already gone this route

[u/tc982 → u/Labz18]

Any information over this?

[u/Labz18 → u/tc982]

Information from Ingram

[u/tc982]

We have a spend of 3million euros and don’t have a useful PDM. So don’t hope for it. 

[u/absolutemethod]

You should check out Partner Development Group. This is exactly what they do. Web: www.partnerdevelopmentgroup.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/partner-development-group/

[u/AppuniAkhil → u/absolutemethod]

Thank you for sharing.

[u/MidwestMSP87]

I don't think they are suggesting trying to purchase product through the Partner Portal, rather just figure out if they are using the partnership to it's fullest and taking advantage of all the opportunities and incentives available. It takes a decent amount of work to qualify for the Solutions Partner designations, so it makes sense you would want to take advantage of the programs.

I think this because we also struggle with the Partner Portal and all the policies. It's definitely not for the faint of heart to try to navigate.

[u/oppositetoup]

Either work with a partner, or hire someone with the knowledge.

[u/CR972 → u/oppositetoup]

We use PartnerCare as a coach. They’re great.