New exam requirements for Dynamics ERP Partner Programs
For their MPN competencies, Microsoft Dynamics AX Partners will need to be on the current version of Dynamics AX exams by February 1st 2017.
From February 1st 2017 onwards, Dynamics AX 2012 exams will no longer be accepted for SPA, CSA and MPN programs (with two exceptions for AX 2012 R3, listed further down in this article).
This article will introduce the requirements for Partners to obtain or maintain a Dynamics ERP Silver or Gold competency, and list the changes that will come in February.
Dynamics ERP Silver and Gold competencies – how does it work?
Microsoft Dynamics Silver and Gold competencies allow Partners to gain access to a set of core benefits provided by Microsoft. For more information about these benefits, visit the Partner Network Core benefits and Requirements page.
In order to gain Dynamics ERP Silver and Gold competencies, Partners must meet a number of requirements in various categories (exams, the organisation’s profile, customer evidence and company revenue).
Exam requirements
This requirement means that Partner companies need to employ consultants who have passed the latest certification exams. This can be accomplished more easily by hiring contractors who have the right qualifications.
Current Dynamics ERP Exam requirements
Partners must employ or contract with three individuals (for Silver) or six (for Gold) who have, in aggregate passed all of the following exams:
Development exam:
Exam MB6-704: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 Development Introduction OR Exam MB6-890: Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Introduction
Trade and Logistics exam:
Exam MB6-703: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Trade and Logistics
Financials Exam:
Exam MB6-702: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Financials
Installation Exam:
Exam MB6-705: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 Installation and Configuration
SharePoint Exam:
Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
One person must pass the following exam: Exam MB5-705: Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations
Partners also need to meet track requirements as follows:
VAR track: Two individuals (for Silver and Gold) who have each passed: Exam MB5-705: Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations
What will be changing on February 1st 2017?
Exam requirements for Microsoft Dynamics competencies are regularly updated to include the newest products. Starting February 1st 2017, exams for the new Microsoft Dynamics AX will be required (aside from two Dynamics AX 2012 R3 exams listed below).
The exams listed above will be replaced with the following:
Development exam:
Exam MB6-890: Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Introduction
Trade and Logistics exam:
Exam MB6-703: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Trade and Logistics OR Exam MB6-892: Microsoft Dynamics AX Distribution and Trade (coming Q2 2016)
Financials exam:
Exam MB6-702: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Financials OR Exam MB6-893: Microsoft Dynamics AX Financials (coming Q2 2016)
Installation exam:
Exam MB6-891: Microsoft Dynamics AX Installation (coming Q2 2016)
Sharepoint Exam: No Longer Required as of January 2016
Source: What’s coming – Changes to Microsoft Dynamics Exam Requirements.
For consultants – how to get certified
Having passed the latest Dynamics certifications is an interesting asset on a Dynamics consultants’ resume.
If you are an independent Dynamics consultant who needs access to Microsoft Dynamics training resources, we can help.
You can keep track of the available certification exams, register to take them and actually take them online thanks to Microsoft’s recent Online Proctored Certification Exams tool.
Organisation’s profile
Partners need to provide the Microsoft Partner Network with specific information about their organisation in order to qualify for Silver or Gold competency.
Customer evidence
Partners will need to provide three (for Silver) or five (for Gold) unique customer references.
For Silver competency, the customer references need to meet the following conditions:
– Feature the implementation, deployment, customization, or maintenance of a Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution
– Detail a project that has been completed within the past 12 months
– Can be verified with the customer
For Gold competency, the references must all show that within the past 12 months, the Partner has provided solutions based on products and technologies associated with the ERP competency.
Revenue Goal
To become an MPN member with a Silver or Gold competency, your organisation will need to meet a minimum revenue goal based on your market and track.
Additional Resources
Detailed requirements for Dynamics ERP MPN Silver and Gold competencies (Independent Software Vendor and Value-Added Reseller paths) can be found on this Microsoft page: Enterprise Resource Planning Competency.
For regular updates on competency changes, visit Microsoft’s What’s new: competency updates page.
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