Microsoft Specializations: What They Really Mean for You
- HBS Microsoft Team
- Read Time: 4 mins
A lot of partners claim Microsoft expertise. But a Microsoft Specialization proves they’ve done it—successfully, repeatedly, and at a level Microsoft recognizes as best-in-class.
These aren’t participation trophies. Specializations are only awarded after a partner meets strict performance metrics and passes a rigorous third-party audit or proves their expertise through customer references and certified experts.
That’s great news for you.
It means less risk, less guesswork, and in many cases—less cost. Because Specializations often unlock Microsoft funding that can help cover the cost of assessments, migrations, modernizations, and other aspects of cloud projects.
Let’s walk through what these Specializations are, and what they mean when you’re working with a partner like HBS.
Microsoft Specializations by Solution Area
Each Microsoft Specialization maps to one of Microsoft’s core solution areas. There are currently more than 30 active Specializations, with more on the way. They fall in four broad solution areas—with a couple sub-categories under Azure:
- Azure
- Data & AI
- Digital & App Innovation
- Infrastructure
- Business Applications
- Modern Work
- Security
Microsoft Specializations Benefits—aka What These Mean for You
When a partner holds a Microsoft Specialization, it means they’ve met Microsoft’s highest standards for delivery, experience, and customer success in that area. But more importantly, it means:
- You’re working with a partner that’s been vetted—extensively.
- You may be eligible for Microsoft-funded engagements to lower project costs.
- You’ll benefit from tried-and-true approaches, not trial-and-error.
At HBS, we’ve earned multiple Specializations across Security, Modern Work, and Azure.
HBS Microsoft Specializations
Modern Work
Microsoft Technologies: Microsoft 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Online, Teams, Viva Engage, Intune.
Adoption and Change Management
The value: We translate tools into habits.
What we do:
- Turn Microsoft 365 announcements into meaningful behavior change.
- Train employees in a way that gets them excited about using new tools.
- Guide organizational change using proven communications and training strategies.
Where this applies:
- Launching Microsoft 365 across your organization.
- Struggling with low Teams or SharePoint adoption.
- Planning a major change to workflows or collaboration methods.
Teamwork Deployment
The value: Get Teams—and Exchange, SharePoint, and more—right from day one.
What we do:
- Provide real-world advice from hundreds of deployments.
- Ensure Teams, Exchange Online, and SharePoint are deployed securely across desktops, mobile, and virtual endpoints.
- Help you roll out voice, chat, file-sharing, and collaboration in a way that sticks.
Where this applies:
- Moving to hybrid work.
- Replacing legacy chat or voice tools.
- Standardizing collaboration tools across departments.
Modernize Endpoint
The value: Simplify management without sacrificing security.
What we do:
- Deploy Intune and Microsoft Endpoint Manager to streamline device and app control.
- Help you manage diverse endpoints across hybrid environments.
- Build endpoint management that supports compliance, security, and productivity.
Where this applies:
- Transitioning to hybrid or remote work.
- Needing to manage employee-owned devices securely.
- Standardizing endpoint policies across your business.
Security Specializations
Microsoft Technologies: Defender for Endpoint, Defender XDR, Defender for Office 365, Defender for Identity, Defender for Cloud Apps, Defender for Cloud, Intune, Entra ID Suite, Sentinel.
Identity and Access Management
The value: The right people get the right access—nothing more.
What we do:
- Deploy Microsoft Entra ID or Microsoft Entra ID Suite for identity governance.
- Enable secure, compliant access with MFA, SSO, and conditional access.
- Help you meet compliance while improving the user experience.
Where this applies:
- Needing to enforce access policies for hybrid users.
- Auditing or improving identity controls.
Simplifying logins without sacrificing security. - Managing joiner/mover/leaver access to reduce risk and improve compliance.
Azure Specializations
Microsoft Technologies: Azure Compute, Azure Migrate, Azure Site Recovery, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Infrastructure and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure
The value: Migrate smarter, not harder.
What we do:
- Evaluate your existing infrastructure and databases.
- Handle migration of workloads from on-prem, private datacenters, or other clouds.
- Implementing Disaster Recovery or Business Continuity solutions in Azure.
- Improve cost optimization and performance.
Where this applies:
- Migrating Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, RHEL, or SUSE environments.
- Migrating MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, CassandraDR, or MongoDB databases to Azure.
- Datacenter exit or consolidation.
- End of Support for Windows Server or SQL Server.
Migrate Enterprise Applications
The value: Modernize legacy apps without the pain.
What we do:
- Build cloud-first application from scratch.
- Migrate and modernize existing .NET or CMS-based apps to Azure.
- Set up the environment, train your team, and support phased transitions.
Where this applies:
- Hosting legacy web apps with poor scalability.
- Wanting to rebuild or replatform applications in Azure.
- Needing to modernize without rewriting everything from scratch.
Business Application Designation
Microsoft Technologies: Dynamics 365, Power Platform
The value: Streamline operations. Automate workflows. Build smarter apps—fast.
What we do:
- Deliver modern business solutions using Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.
- Replace outdated systems with scalable, low-code apps and process automation.
- Streamline operations across sales, service, finance, and field teams.
Where this applies:
- Replacing manual or outdated systems.
- Automating processes.
- Building scalable, low-code applications.
The Funding You Didn’t Know You Could Use
This is the part most customers don’t realize: Specializations—and Designations—can unlock access to Microsoft funding.
When HBS holds a relevant Specialization or Designation, we’re eligible to tap into incentive programs that can reduce the cost of your cloud migration, security overhaul, or the everyday tools that power your organization. We’ll help you identify what funding you may qualify for—and how to put it to work.
So, What Should You Do with This Info?
If you’re evaluating a Microsoft partner, ask about their Specializations. Ask how they’ve used those to help other customers. Ask whether they can help you qualify for Microsoft-funded engagements.
At HBS, we’re certified—and trusted. These Specializations reflect our real-world experience, our ongoing commitment to excellence, and our ability to help you get more from your Microsoft investment.
Related Content
HBS Earns Microsoft Modernize Endpoints Specialization
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HBS Earns Infra and Database Migration to Azure Specialization from Microsoft
HBS earns Microsoft’s specialized recognition for migrating infrastructure and databases to Azure. Discover how they lead in tech solutions.
HBS Earns Microsoft Identity and Access Management Specialization
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