Understanding Proof of Executions (POEs) and Their Importance

In the world of Microsoft partner programs, Proof of Executions (POEs) play a crucial role. For those new to the concept, let’s break down what a POE does and how it can benefit you and your business.?

What is a POE??

A Proof of Execution is a document or form that verifies your engagement with a customer and the specific services or products you’ve delivered. Here’s what a POE does:?

• Claims Your Customer: It establishes your relationship with a customer officially.?
• Tracks Workload Usage: It records the workload usage of the customer and synchronizes it with your tenant(s) usage.?
• Monitors by Microsoft: Microsoft keeps track of the usage and consumption of these clients.?
• Earns You Revenue: Microsoft compensates you for all connected clients based on their usage.?
• Distinct from Indirect Reseller: Unlike the indirect reseller model, POEs focus on usage and consumption rather than just license sales.?

Indirect Reseller vs. POE?

Understanding the difference between an indirect reseller and POE is essential:?

• Indirect Reseller:Revenue is split with the reseller for each license sold.?Each license has a predetermined value.?The reseller handles the transaction on your behalf.?

• Microsoft Commerce Incentives with POEs:?Deployments and migrations have associated usage and consumption metrics.?Microsoft assigns higher values to usage and consumption compared to license sales.?Continuous usage translates to ongoing revenue.?Each client requires a POE for these financial benefits to be activated.?

The POE Process?

The process for generating and validating a POE involves several steps:?

1. Generate a POE or Fill Out a Form:?

• Use a POE generator tool or manually complete a base POE form.?
• If filling out manually, ensure all provided services for the customer are checked off to claim incentives.?

2. Customer Notification:?

• Inform your customer that Microsoft requires signed documentation to confirm your business relationship.?

3. Send via DocuSign:?

• Use DocuSign to send the Proof of Execution to your customers for their signatures.?

4. Create a Claim in Partner Center:?

• Log into the Partner Center and create a Use / Consume claim based on the completed POE.?

5. Submit for Validation:?

• Send the completed POE to Microsoft for validation.?

6. Validation Outcome:?

• The validation team at Microsoft reviews your submission.?
• If approved, your customer is officially claimed.?

7. Revenue Generation:?

• Once validated, you start earning revenue based on the customer’s usage and consumption.?

Maximize Your Revenue?

Understanding and utilizing POEs is essential for maximizing your revenue as a Microsoft partner. By accurately documenting your engagements and leveraging Microsoft Commerce Incentives, you can ensure continuous income through verified customer usage. Follow the POE process diligently to claim your customers and enjoy the financial benefits that come with it.?