2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards

Rules & Regulations

PLEASE NOTE: It is your sole responsibility to review and understand your employer’s policies regarding your eligibility to
participate in trade promotions. If you are participating in violation of your employer’s policies, you may be disqualified
from entering or receiving awards. Microsoft disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for disputes arising between an
employee and their employer related to this matter, and awards will only be awarded in compliance with the employer’s
policies.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: Microsoft is committed to complying with government gift and ethics rules and therefore
government employees are not eligible without advance approval from Microsoft. Microsoft will consider entries from
government and state-owned entities enrolled in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program on a case-by-case basis, please
email [email protected].

This Contest is hosted in the United States, and entry information is collected on computers in the United States. This
Contest will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue
of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Contest.

If you do not agree with this provision and these official rules, please do not enter this Contest.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards program Contest promotion
will operate (“Contest”).

In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of this Contest. “You” and “Company”
refers to an eligible Contest entrant.

CONTEST DESCRIPTION:

This is a skill-based Contest.

The object of this Contest is to recognize a solution(s) that Microsoft determines (in our sole discretion) (i) has the most
successful implementation; and (ii) drives significant impact. For purposes of this Contest, “solution” means a product
application or implementation of an application or service that: (i) uses the most recent versions of Microsoft technologies;
and (ii) alleviates a customer concern or solves a related business problem.

Partners will be asked to describe their successful implementation of a solution for a specific customer and show how the
solution added business value. For purposes of this Contest, each “solution” you create will be considered an “entry”. All
eligible entries received will be assessed using the criteria described below to determine the winner(s) of the award(s)
described below.

NOTE: If any customer has any proprietary rights in and to the solution you submit, as a condition of being named
a winner in this Contest, that customer must be willing and able to grant to you and Microsoft the right and
permission to feature and otherwise describe the solution in a case study and to use the case study for
promotional, editorial, demonstration or any other related purposes. If such customer is not willing to and/or is
unable to grant such permission, then you may not enter the solution in this Contest and the entry for such
solution will be deemed ineligible for the Contest.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?

We will begin accepting entries via the submission process described herein for the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year
Awards beginning February 8, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Pacific time and ending on April 5, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. Pacific time (“entry
period”). Please note that the date and times are subject to change, and any updates will be communicated accordingly.
CAN I ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements during the entry period:

• You are a company actively enrolled in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, or as it was previously known, the
Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) with a valid PartnerID; and
• You are a company in good standing with us; and
• You are a company that has achieved at least one of the following criteria unless otherwise noted within the specific
award guidelines:
o Attained at least one Solutions Partner designation (Business Applications, Data & AI (Azure), Infrastructure
(Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Modern Work, Security) by January 30, 2023, or
o Achieved a partner capability score of at least 50 points towards a Solutions Partner designation, or (LINK TO
RESOURCE FOR PARTNER CAPABILITY SCORE); or
o Legacy gold or silver level achieved in a cloud competency (Cloud Platform, Cloud Productivity, Enterprise
Mobility Management, Cloud Business Applications, Security, Small & Mid Market Cloud Solutions) by September
30, 2022, or
o an ISV with a co-sell ready offer, or
o Currently a participant in the ISV Success program, and
o - Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Minors are not eligible to make submissions, and by
submitting an entry for the Contest, the participant confirms they are not a minor. Entries submitted by
minors are ineligible for the Contest.; and

• You are NOT a resident of any of the following countries: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, and Syria;
and

o PLEASE NOTE: U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea,
Sudan and Syria. Therefore, residents of these countries / regions are not eligible to participate.

• You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and

• You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest; and

• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, or child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an
employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest.

This Contest is void outside the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ELIGIBLE ENTRY?

To be eligible for the Contest an entry must meet the following content / technical requirements:

• Submit entries using the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award submission application tool.
• Submit entries in the English language [Please note that the solution may be developed in any language but the entry
itself must be submitted in the English language].
• Solution must have at least one commercial customer and the solution must have demonstrated market
success/growth within the most recent 12 consecutive months.
• Solution must be developed using Microsoft software and/or hardware.

While some of the Contest award categories are open to all entrants without restriction, many category awards may
include more strict entry requirements, including the earning of pre-requisite Microsoft Solutions Partner designations. A
small set of awards have exceptions to the general eligibility requirements and will allow an entry based on unique criteria
for that industry or field. Entrants can view complete awards descriptions and eligibility criteria in the Awards Guidelines.
Answers provided in the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award submission application tool remain confidential and are
not made public without the partner’s consent.

In addition:

• your entry must be submitted by an employee or agent of the partner; and

• you must have obtained any and all consents, approvals or licenses required for you to submit your entry; and
• your entry must not otherwise violate the rights of any other person or company by using their trademarks, music,
logos, names, images or any other proprietary rights or intellectual property without their express written consent.

Entries may NOT contain, as determined by us, in our sole and absolute discretion, any content that:

• is sexually explicit, unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or
age group; profane or pornographic;
• promotes alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing) or a particular
political agenda;
• is obscene or offensive;
• defames, misrepresents or contains disparaging remarks about other people or companies;
• communicates messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or good will to which we wish
to associate; and/or
• violates any law;

We reserve the right to reject any entry, in our sole and absolute discretion, that we determine does not meet the criteria
described in these rules and regulations.

HOW WILL MY ENTRY BE POTENTIALLY USED?

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your entry. However, by submitting your
entry, you:

• are granting us an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide right and license to: (i) use, review, assess, test and otherwise
analyze your entry and all its content in connection with this Contest; and (ii) feature your company, employees, entry
and all content in connection with marketing, sale, or promotion activities (including but not limited to internal and
external meetings, conference presentations, tradeshows, marketing and advertising materials, and screen shots in
press releases) in all media (now known or later developed). We may contact you for additional permissions related to
your entry if you have opted in (during the submission process) to hear more about inclusion of your entry and all its
content in other Microsoft led activities.

• agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights
you granted above;

• understand and acknowledge that Microsoft may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to
your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry;

• understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of
entering, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict
work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering this Contest, you agree that use
of information in our representatives’ unaided memories in the development or deployment of our products or
services does not create liability for us under this agreement or copyright or trade secret law;

• understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in
these official rules: and
• understand and acknowledge that by submitting a nomination for the Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards program,
this nomination may also be eligible for other awards facilitated by local country or region Microsoft programs. The
Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards program is not affiliated with or responsible for local Microsoft country or region
award programs.

Please note that following the end of this Contest, the details of your entry may be posted on a website for viewing by
visitors to that website. We are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While
we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning
entry.

If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this Contest.

HOW DO I ENTER?

In order to participate in this Contest, you must go to the Contest web site at https://aka.ms/POTYA and complete and
submit the online entry form, including submission of your entry, as instructed.

You may submit more than one entry in any category, and you may be chosen as a finalist and/or winner in more than one
category.

We are not responsible for entries that (I) are ineligible; (ii) we do not receive for any reason, and/or (iii) we receive but are
not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

• Any incomplete or illegible entry; and

• Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above.

FINALIST AND WINNER DETERMINATION AND AWARDS

On or around the close of the entry period, a panel of judges will review all eligible entries received and select up to three
runner-up finalists for global awards and one winner for each of the Contest awards described below based upon the
judging criteria described below within each of the award specific guidelines. See 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year
Awards guidelines document posted on https://aka.ms/POTYA. Finalists and winners will be contacted in June 2023 via the
e-mail address, phone number, or mailing address (if any) provided at time of entry and must agree at that time to
participate in the awards program. We will make three (3) attempts to contact each finalist and winner to confirm their
participation. If we are unable to make contact in three (3) attempts or you fail to agree to participate, we will notify the
next runner-up finalist and give that company the opportunity to verify their participation. PLEASE NOTE that agreeing to
participate as a finalist or winner does not mean that you are required to attend the Microsoft Inspire conference in
person.

Finalists, winners, and their guests who choose to attend the Microsoft Inspire conference in person are responsible for all
registration, travel and personal expenses associated with attending the event.

CONTEST AWARDS

The 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are:

Global awards:
One (1) winner and award will be named for each of the awards.
Up to three (3) runner-up finalists will be named for each of the global awards (excluding country/region partner of the
year).

Azure awards
AI
Analytics
Cloud Native App Development
Internet of Things
Migration to Azure
Mixed Reality
Modernizing Applications
OSS on Azure
Rising Azure Technology
SAP on Azure

Business Applications awards

Dynamics 365 Business Central
Dynamics 365 Services
Dynamics 365 Sales & Marketing
Dynamics 365 Finance
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain
Low Code Application Development
Intelligent Automation
Business Intelligence

Modern Work awards

Apps & Solutions for Microsoft Teams
Employee Experience
Converged Communications
Modern Workplace for Frontline Workers
Modern Workplace for SMB
Project & Portfolio Management
Device
Device Partner Distributor/Reseller
Surface Hub Reseller
Surface PC Reseller
FastTrack Ready

Security awards
Modern Endpoint Management
Security
Compliance

Industry awards
Retail & Consumer Goods
Financial Services
Industrials & Manufacturing
Government
Defense & Intelligence
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Communications & Media
Automotive, Mobility & Transportation
Energy & Resources
Education
Nonprofit

Business Transformation awards

Advisory Services
Commercial Marketplace
Customer Experience
Global System Integrator (GSI)
MVP Industry Solutions GSI/Advisory
GSI Growth Champion
Global Independent Software Vendor (ISV)
Indirect Provider
Learning
Microsoft for Startups
Solution Assessments
Operational Excellence

Social Impact awards

Community Response
Inclusion Changemaker
Sustainability Changemaker

Country/Region partner of the year awards

One (1) winner and award will be named for each participating country or region.

2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award benefits:

• Customized logos that allow you to showcase your company as an esteemed Microsoft partner.
• Custom public relations templates to help promote your award status (for both winners and finalists).
• Recognition collateral to help celebrate your success.
• Winners celebrated at Microsoft Inspire

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS AM I AGREEING TO BY ENTERING?

By clicking the “Accept Rules” button in the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards tool submission process for
submitting an entry, you hereby acknowledge and agree:

• To abide by these official rules; and

• To release and hold harmless Microsoft and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, and agents from
any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest, or any prize
won; and

• That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Contest; and

• That Microsoft may use your proper name and state/country of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in
connection with this Contest, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

• Finalists should be prepared to provide additional materials required for editorial or promotional purposes and to help
promote the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards program. Additional materials may include, but are not limited
to, screen images, photographs of the development team, company logo (both on disk and a high-resolution printout),
and video source.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS CONTEST IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?
This Contest will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and
venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Contest.

Waiver and Release

Microsoft Corporation and its affiliates (“Microsoft”) reserve the right, at Microsoft’s sole discretion, to engage in activities
with Company (including Company’s employees and agents, collectively and individually referred to as “Company”)
relating to Company’s entry and participation in Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards. By submitting an entry for the
Contest, Company agrees to the terms of this section and the submitting party represents that you are authorized to
consent on the Company’s behalf.

1. Company agrees that Company’s name, logos, trademarks, information, likeness, testimony, video, and images
may be used, as set forth in Section 2 below, in the activities that are marked with an ‘X’ below:

X Written case study – a document/story describing your or your company’s experience with use of Microsoft
technologies
X Video case study – a video version of the case study describing your or company’s experience with use of
Microsoft technologies
X Press release – issued to press and media in order to make a newsworthy announcement relating to your
experience with use of Microsoft technologies
X Testimonial advertisement – an advertisement describing your experience with use of Microsoft technologies
X Blogs
X Microsoft marketing and promotional materials and communications.

2. The following terms apply to all the activities listed in Section 1 above:
a. Microsoft may interview, tape, videotape, and record Company to gather information in creation of the
activities described above.
b. Microsoft may display Company’s name, company trademarks, service marks, logos, and other identifying
information in the documentation in relation to the activities described above.
c. Prior to the first public release of any form of documentation, Microsoft will obtain Company approval of final
content, which shall not be unreasonably withheld by Company and provided in the timeframe requested by
Microsoft. Company agrees to review the final content for factual accuracy and to prevent the inadvertent release
of any of Company’s confidential information. Company agrees to provide Microsoft with any approval or
comments in writing.
d. Except for any of Company trademarks, service marks, logos, and other Company created-identifying
information, Microsoft will own the documentation, and grants Company a license to use and distribute the
documentation for Company’s own advertising and marketing efforts; provided Company obtains written pre-
approval from Microsoft before any such use or distribution.
e. Company will obtain the permissions of any employees or third-party persons or properties that may appear in
the documentation for use of the documentation as described herein.
f. Microsoft may contact Company for additional permissions related to the Contest.

Both Company and Microsoft will have the perpetual, irrevocable right to publish, use, reference, and display final,
mutually pre-approved documentation, in whole or through unedited excerpts, in all forms of media now or hereafter
known, and to sublicense the foregoing rights to third parties.

Both Company and Microsoft agree that content that is pre-approved will not subsequently be altered without prior
written consent from both parties. Both parties also agree to stop distributing, publicly referencing, and displaying the
documentation at any time upon written request from the other party. Company’s agreement to participate in the Contest
or the activities described in this section does not obligate Microsoft to create any materials or to offer any activities to
Company.
Each party agrees to release the other party and its contractors, agents, and employees, from any claims relating to use
of the material that the releasing party provides and which is included in the documentation, so long as such use is in
accordance with the rights granted under this release. There will be no compensation for any use of the documentation.
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, this release will apply to all occurrences of the activities described
in this section.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE CONTEST CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?

If someone cheats, or a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be
reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Contest,
we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or
technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to select winners
from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or
committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban
you from participating in any of our future Contests, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHO WON?

Entrants can find out who won by visiting https://aka.ms/POTYA where the names of the Contest winners will remain
posted for 12 months after the official public announcement in July 2023.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS CONTEST?

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
USA

Questions? Please email the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards support team. Please allow two (2) business days
for a response.