Microsoft Certified Partners are independent companies that can provide you with the highest levels of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and hands-on skills. Microsoft Certified Partners encompass a broad range of expertise and vendor affiliations and their real world perspective can help you prioritize and effectively deliver your technology solutions. 

About Microsoft Partners

Microsoft Certified and Silver Certified Partners are two levels of partners who have been recognized by Microsoft for their skills in the IT field. To progress to higher levels, partners must attain Microsoft Competencies.
Below is information about the difference between the two levels of certification, and what's involved in achieving a competency.

The difference between Silver Certified Partners and Certified Partners

Silver Certified Partners
Microsoft Silver Certified Partners are in the top tier of Microsoft Partners and have access to a set of resources and the support they need to help businesses like yours. Silver Certified Partners are required to enroll in one or more Microsoft Competencies, which indicates they are advanced specialists in their IT field. Silver Certified Partners can access an array of Microsoft Support Services to assist with your business' technology solution.

Certified Partners Microsoft Certified Partners represent a high degree of competency and expertise with Microsoft technologies. Partners at this level may demonstrate their proficiency in at least one Microsoft Competency. Certified Partners have access to a rich set of benefits to help businesses like yours.

What are competencies?

Competencies demonstrate what field partners specialize in, and they indicate that a partner has an advanced level of understanding in that field. Your business needs will determine what partner specializations you should be looking for.

What do partners have to do to achieve a competency?

Only Microsoft Certified Partners can qualify for competencies. A Microsoft Competency is generally demonstrated through customer references, employee qualifications, based on Microsoft technology.

What is a Small Business Specialist?

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Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs)

To qualify for the Microsoft Certified Partner program, organizations must have at least two dedicated, full-time employees who are current MCPs. The only way to become Microsoft-certified is to pass a series of rigorous exams required for certification in eight different areas.

So, Why work with a Microsoft Certified Partner?

• Microsoft Certified Partners have demonstrated expertise. Each Microsoft Certified Partner must employ a minimum number of Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) who have a demonstrated level of technical expertise and the proven ability to deliver solutions featuring Microsoft products. MCPs must pass certification exams developed by Microsoft.
   
• Microsoft Certified Partners have a broad-range of experience. Microsoft Certified Partners typically offer several areas of technical expertise including infrastructure, networking, office automation, e-commerce, collaboration, business intelligence, and other leading edge disciplines. Microsoft Certified Partner services include consulting, training, implementation, maintenance/support, and hosting services.
   
• Microsoft Certified Partners have direct support from Microsoft. Microsoft Certified Partners have access to 24 x 7 x 365 support for your project whenever they need additional support from Microsoft.
   
• Microsoft Certified Partners offer a real world perspective to your technology strategies. Microsoft Certified Partners have been in the business, on average, for more than 5 years. Amnet has been in business since 1998.  They bring experience to your projects gained through conducting similar projects over many years of service.
   
• Microsoft Certified Partners are local. With more than 26,000 Microsoft Certified Partner organizations worldwide, there’s a technical expert near you.
  
  Adapted from http://directory.microsoft.com/MPRD/support/AboutPartners.htm