Synapse is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Infrastructure (Azure)

Choosing a Microsoft Azure partner is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make about your cloud. The right partner shapes how well your environment performs, how secure it is and how much it costs to run.

That’s why we’re proud that Synapse is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Infrastructure. It’s Microsoft’s recognition for partners that can show, with real data, that they build and run Azure environments well. Here’s what the designation means, how Microsoft measures it, and what it means for organisations across the UK and the Isle of Man that rely on Azure.

What is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Infrastructure (Azure)?

Is a designation within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. It recognises partners with proven capability in Azure infrastructure: helping organisations move workloads to Azure, then design, run and manage them well.

It replaced Microsoft’s older Cloud Platform and Datacenter competencies with a stricter, data-led approach. Partners can’t simply apply for it. They have to earn it.

How Microsoft measures an Azure partner

Microsoft scores every Azure partner using a partner capability score, calculated automatically from data recorded in Partner Center. To earn the Infrastructure designation, a partner needs at least 70 points, with at least one point in each of five metrics:

• Performance: net customer adds. Growth in the number of customers actively using Azure with the partner, compared with the same month a year earlier.
• Skilling: intermediate certifications. Engineers certified as Azure Administrator Associate, plus Azure Network Engineer Associate or Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate.
• Skilling: advanced certifications. Engineers certified as Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft’s expert-level Azure credential.
• Customer success: usage growth. Year-on-year growth in customers’ Azure consumption.
• Customer success: deployments. The range of Azure services customers use, beyond basic virtual machines.

Because every metric is based on real customer and certification data, refreshed each month, it’s one of the clearest signals there is that a partner delivers. You can read Microsoft’s full criteria in its Solutions Partner for Infrastructure guidance.

Why it matters to us

At Synapse, we call ourselves The Adaptive Cloud Company because we believe the cloud should fit the way each organisation works, not the other way round. This designation reflects that.

Our engineers hold current Microsoft Azure certifications across the skills Microsoft looks for:

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert, so environments are designed properly from day one
• Azure Administrator Associate, so they run reliably and securely day to day
• Azure Network Engineer Associate, so connectivity, performance and security work together

Those skills sit behind every Azure environment we design, migrate and manage.

What it means for our customers

If you work with Synapse on Azure, you’re working with a team whose capability has been measured against Microsoft’s own standards. In practice, that means:

• Well-architected environments. Azure designed around your workloads, security needs and growth plans.
• Smoother Azure migrations. Moving servers, applications and data to Azure with a clear plan and minimal disruption.
• Reliable Azure managed services. Monitoring, patching and support from engineers who know your environment.
• Better control of cloud costs. Right-sized resources and regular reviews, so you’re not paying for capacity you don’t use.
• Security and resilience built in. Especially important for regulated organisations, where data protection and recoverability can’t be an afterthought.
• Access to Microsoft support. Microsoft’s presales and deployment advisory, plus support for complex customer issues when a project needs it.

How to choose the right Azure partner

Whether you’re planning your first move to the cloud or looking to get more from an existing environment, these are the questions worth asking any Azure partner:

1. Do they hold a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Infrastructure designation? It’s independent evidence of capability, measured on real data.
2. Are their engineers certified, and are those certifications current? Azure changes quickly, and skills need to keep up.
3. Can they support you after migration? The real value of Azure comes from how well it’s run, not just how it’s set up.
4. Will they help you manage costs? A good partner reviews your environment regularly and finds savings.
5. Do they understand your sector? Regulated industries need a partner who knows the compliance and resilience requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What does Microsoft Solutions Partner for Infrastructure mean?

It means Microsoft has recognised a partner’s capability to deliver Azure infrastructure, based on measured performance, certified skills and customer success. It’s awarded through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.

How does a partner earn the Infrastructure designation?

Partners earn it by reaching at least 70 points on Microsoft’s partner capability score, with at least one point in each of five metrics: net customer adds, intermediate certifications, advanced certifications, usage growth and deployments. The score is calculated automatically from data recorded in Microsoft Partner Center.

Why should I use a Microsoft Azure partner?

A certified Azure partner brings proven skills in designing, migrating and managing Azure environments. That helps reduce risk, control costs and get more value from your cloud investment.

Does Synapse provide Azure managed services?

Yes. Synapse designs, migrates and manages Azure environments for organisations across the UK and the Isle of Man, with offices in Douglas, Manchester and London.

How can I find out if my Azure environment is costing too much?

Book a free Microsoft Licensing and Cloud Review with Synapse. We’ll look at how your environment is set up and used and show you where you could save.

Get more from Azure

Planning a move to Azure, or want to know if your current environment is working as hard as it should? Our free Microsoft Licensing and Cloud Review shows where you stand and what to do next.