Microsoft Removes Technical Barrier to Azure VMware Solution Specialization

Microsoft has significantly lowered the barrier to entry for its Azure VMware Solution (AVS) specialization by removing the technical assessment requirement, a move that could accelerate partner adoption of this cloud migration credential.

What Changed

Effective immediately, partners no longer need to pass a technical assessment to attain or renew the Microsoft AVS specialization. This change eliminates what was previously a significant hurdle for many partners looking to demonstrate their expertise in helping customers migrate VMware workloads to Azure.

Why It Matters

The timing of this change aligns with growing enterprise demand for hybrid cloud solutions. As organizations increasingly evaluate moving their on-premises VMware workloads to the cloud, partners need accessible ways to validate their migration capabilities. VMware remains a dominant force in server virtualization, with many enterprises running critical workloads on VMware infrastructure that they're now looking to modernize.

By removing the technical assessment, Microsoft is acknowledging that practical experience and customer success stories may be more valuable indicators of partner capability than standardized testing. This approach allows partners to focus on building real-world migration expertise rather than preparing for certification exams.

Business Impact

For partners, this change means:

• Faster time-to-market: Partners can now pursue the specialization without dedicating weeks or months to technical exam preparation
• Lower costs: Eliminating the assessment reduces both direct costs (exam fees) and indirect costs (study time, training resources)
• Broader accessibility: Smaller partners with strong VMware experience but limited certification resources can now compete for migration business
• Renewal simplicity: Partners approaching renewal can maintain their specialization status without re-certification hurdles

For customers, the change means more partners will be able to demonstrate validated expertise in Azure VMware migrations, potentially increasing competition and choice when selecting migration partners.

Migration Opportunity Landscape

The cloud migration market continues to expand as organizations seek to modernize legacy infrastructure. VMware-to-Azure migrations represent a particularly attractive segment because:

• Many enterprises have significant investments in VMware technology
• Security and compliance requirements often necessitate careful migration planning
• Hybrid scenarios where some workloads remain on-premises while others move to cloud are common
• Partners who understand both VMware and Azure can provide end-to-end guidance

Partners who pursue the AVS specialization can position themselves as trusted advisors for these complex migrations, helping customers navigate security best practices, regulatory requirements, and technical challenges.

Next Steps for Partners

Partners interested in the specialization should:

1. Review current status in Partner Center to understand where they stand
2. Assess VMware expertise across their team to identify strengths and gaps
3. Document migration success stories to strengthen their specialization application
4. Begin the application process immediately, as the simplified requirements make this an opportune time

Partners approaching their renewal window should also take advantage of the simplified renewal process to maintain their specialization status without interruption.

Strategic Considerations

While the technical assessment is no longer required, partners should recognize that successful VMware-to-Azure migrations still demand deep technical expertise. The removal of the assessment barrier should be viewed as an opportunity to focus resources on building practical migration capabilities rather than test preparation.

Partners should consider investing in:

• Hands-on migration experience through pilot projects
• Security and compliance expertise specific to hybrid cloud scenarios
• Azure VMware Solution architecture and best practices
• Customer success methodologies for complex infrastructure migrations

The Microsoft AVS specialization remains a valuable credential for partners looking to differentiate in the growing hybrid cloud market. By removing the technical assessment requirement, Microsoft has made it easier for qualified partners to showcase their VMware migration expertise and capture business in this expanding market segment.

For more information about the specialization requirements and application process, visit the Microsoft Partner Center.