Microsoft Strategy & Partner Marketing Episodes

What happens when your sales team works in Dynamics 365, but inventory lives in a warehouse system, invoices live in finance, and product information lives in an ERP? You could copy all that information into Dataverse, but then you create duplicate records, synchronization jobs, delays, and another place where information can become outdated. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Dynamics 365 Virtual Tables, formerly known as Virtual Entities, provide live access to external busi...

What happens when sales, purchasing, warehouse teams, and your online store all have different information about the same product? A supplier changes a specification, one spreadsheet gets updated, another system doesn't, and suddenly customers receive outdated information or employees order the wrong item. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Dynamics 365 Product Information Management (PIM) creates a shared product definition across the business and manages products, product ma...

What happens when someone at work needs a new laptop, raw materials for production, safety equipment, consulting services, or even a cleaning contract? In many organizations, purchasing still involves emails, spreadsheets, approval messages, vendor quotes, delivery notes, and invoices spread across different systems. Dynamics 365 Procurement and Sourcing connects these activities into one controlled source-to-pay process. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Dynamics 365 Supply ...

Dynamics 365 Transportation Management connects the movement of physical goods with sales orders, purchase orders, warehouse operations, carriers, routes, rates, loads, and freight costs. Instead of managing transportation through separate spreadsheets, emails, carrier rate sheets, and phone calls, organizations can create a connected transportation plan directly inside Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Transportation Management works fro...

Dynamics 365 Inventory Management gives businesses one shared record for the products, materials, parts, and other stock moving through their organization. Instead of purchasing, warehouse, sales, production, and finance maintaining separate versions of inventory information, Dynamics 365 connects quantities, locations, availability, ownership, movements, and financial value. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Dynamics 365 Inventory Management works from supplier receipt to cu...

Dynamics 365 General Ledger provides the central financial record behind Dynamics 365 Finance. Customer payments, supplier invoices, inventory movements, payroll, bank transactions, taxes, accruals, and other financial events ultimately affect the company's financial position, and the general ledger brings those accounting entries together in a structured and traceable way. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains the Dynamics 365 General Ledger in plain English, including the chart of ...

Dynamics 365 Knowledge Management helps customer service teams create a single, trusted source of knowledge that agents can use while supporting customers. Instead of searching through old emails, shared folders, spreadsheets, or relying on individual experience, teams can create approved knowledge articles that provide consistent answers across customer service channels. In this episode of M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains how Dynamics 365 Knowledge Management works and why a structured knowledge ...

A customer starts a website chat because an order has not arrived. They explain the problem, provide the order number, and answer several questions. Later, they call the company—and the person on the phone asks them to explain everything again. For the customer, this makes little sense. They did not start a new problem. They simply changed the way they contacted the company. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains Microsoft Dynamics 365 Omnichannel in pla...

HR teams manage some of the most important and sensitive information inside an organization. Employee records, organizational structures, leave requests, benefits, compensation information, skills, certifications, training, performance, approvals, and onboarding tasks all need to remain accurate and accessible to the right people. The problem begins when that information is spread across spreadsheets, email conversations, shared folders, HR applications, manager-maintained lists, and disconnecte...

What exactly is Dynamics 365 Customer Insights - Journeys? Is it simply Microsoft's tool for sending marketing emails, or is it something much larger? In many organizations, Marketing sends emails from one system, Sales manages opportunities somewhere else, website forms create another collection of customer information, and Customer Service maintains its own history. The result is a fragmented customer conversation where messages arrive too late, customers receive irrelevant information, and em...

A heating system stops working, and the customer wants it repaired today. But getting somebody to the customer is only part of the problem. The dispatcher needs to find a technician who is nearby, available, qualified to work on that specific equipment, and ideally already carrying the replacement part. The technician needs the complete service history and clear instructions, while the office needs to know what happened and eventually turn the completed work into an accurate invoice. Dynamics 36...

You can track your performance through the Partner Center dashboard. Monitor metrics like revenue, deal conversion rates, and customer satisfaction to refine your strategies and improve outcomes. What support options are available? The Microsoft Partner Center provides technical support and troubleshooting assistance. You can contact support for help with any issues you encounter while using the platform. Are there any costs associated with the Partner Center? Joining the Microsoft P...

Quick Answer: Microsoft AppSource is an important Microsoft topic for teams that need clearer technical decisions, safer implementation, and practical operational value. This episode explains what it does, where it fits in the Microsoft ecosystem, and the key considerations for administrators, architects, and business stakeholders. Welcome to Microsoft AppSource, your go-to online marketplace for business applications. This platform enhances productivity by offering a wide range of solutions th...

Quick answer: Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider is covered in this M365 FM episode with a practical focus on what it is, how it works, and the decisions that matter for architecture, adoption, security, governance, or day-to-day operations. The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program simplifies how businesses acquire and manage microsoft cloud solutions. As the demand for cloud services skyrockets, CSPs play a vital role in connecting organizations with essential resources. The global c...

Quick answer: Microsoft Marketplace is covered in this M365 FM episode with a practical focus on what it is, how it works, and the decisions that matter for architecture, adoption, security, governance, or day-to-day operations. Welcome to another episode of Knowledge Nuggets with Mirko Peters. Today we're exploring Microsoft Marketplace, one of the most important platforms in the Microsoft ecosystem—and one that's often misunderstood. When most people hear the word Marketplace, they imagine so...

Quick answer: Microsoft partners often lose revenue through avoidable mistakes in positioning, co-sell execution, marketplace readiness, and account alignment. This episode identifies the commercial and operational gaps that undermine partner growth, then turns them into practical decisions for building a more durable Microsoft practice. Success in the Microsoft ecosystem isn't determined by winning individual deals—it's built through a repeatable partnership strategy. In this episode of m365.f...

Your Microsoft AppSource listing could be costing you far more than visibility—it could be costing you qualified leads, customer trust, and closed deals. In this episode, we uncover the most common mistakes Microsoft partners and ISVs make when creating their AppSource listings and explain why simply publishing your solution isn't enough to generate business. A poorly optimized listing can reduce discoverability, weaken credibility, and significantly impact conversion rates. You'll learn what makes a high-performing AppSource listing, from compelling titles and descriptions to screenshots, customer value messaging, SEO, and calls to action. We also discuss the importance of customer reviews, certifications, support information, and how buyers evaluate solutions before reaching out. Even small improvements can make the difference between being overlooked and becoming a trusted choice. Whether you're launching your first Microsoft solution or trying to improve an existing listing,…

Getting listed on the Microsoft Marketplace sounds straightforward—but the reality is far more challenging. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to publish solutions and services in Microsoft's commercial marketplace, from meeting technical requirements and passing certification to creating compelling offers that customers can actually find and buy. Many partners underestimate the complexity, only to discover that getting approved is just the beginning. You'll learn the differences between Azure Marketplace and Microsoft AppSource, when each platform is appropriate, and why marketplace success depends on much more than simply uploading a product. We also discuss common mistakes, marketplace eligibility, co-sell opportunities, private offers, transactable listings, and how Microsoft evaluates submissions. Whether you're an ISV, MSP, Microsoft partner, or software vendor looking to grow through Microsoft's ecosystem, this episode provides practical insights to help you…

The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is undergoing its biggest transformation in years, and many partners are not prepared for what's coming. In this episode, we break down the FY26 Partner Designation restructuring, explaining why Microsoft is simplifying its partner ecosystem and what these changes mean for Solution Partners, MSPs, ISVs, and consulting organizations. You'll discover how the new designation model impacts competencies, incentives, customer trust, and competitive positioning. We also explore Microsoft's growing AI-first strategy, the role of specializations, and the practical actions partners should take now to protect their status and unlock new growth opportunities before the transition takes effect. Whether you're already a Microsoft partner or planning to become one, this episode provides a clear roadmap to navigate the FY26 changes with confidence. Learn what is changing, why it matters, and how to ensure your business stays competitive in Microsoft's rapi…

Becoming a high-performing Microsoft partner requires much more than technical expertise—it demands a business strategy focused on customer success, specialization, recurring revenue, and continuous innovation. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains what separates the world's most successful Microsoft partners from the rest and provides a practical framework for building a profitable, scalable, and future-ready Microsoft business. You'll learn why high-performing partners focus on solving business problems instead of simply delivering technology projects. The episode explores how successful Microsoft partners develop repeatable service offerings, invest in certifications and technical skills, build deep expertise in Microsoft 365, Azure, Security, Business Applications, and AI, and align their business with Microsoft's strategic priorities. You'll also discover why measurable customer outcomes, long-term relationships, and managed services …

The Microsoft Partner journey is about far more than registering as a reseller—it’s a structured path toward building a profitable, trusted, and strategic business within the Microsoft ecosystem. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains every stage of the Microsoft Partner Journey, from becoming a new partner to achieving advanced solution designations, specializations, and long-term business growth. You'll discover how partners create value by combining technical expertise, customer success, and recurring services rather than simply selling Microsoft licenses. The episode walks through the key milestones every Microsoft partner encounters, including joining the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, building technical capabilities, earning certifications, publishing solutions, developing managed services, and aligning with Microsoft's strategic solution areas. You'll learn why competencies alone are no longer enough and how successful partners …

Building a successful Microsoft partner business is no longer just about technical expertise—it’s about creating a strategy that aligns with Microsoft's priorities while delivering measurable customer outcomes. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains the key pillars of a winning Microsoft Partner strategy and how partners can position themselves for sustainable growth in the era of AI, cloud, and recurring services. The episode explores why partners must move beyond project-based work and build scalable, value-driven business models that differentiate them from the competition. You'll learn how to identify your ideal customer profile, choose the right Microsoft solution areas, develop high-value service offerings, and build a specialization strategy around Microsoft 365, Azure, Security, Business Applications, Data & AI, or Modern Work. The discussion also explains the importance of recurring managed services, customer success, partner incen…