Cloud Partner Certification
The latest Cloud Partner Certification coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Kyndryl and Microsoft Forge Sovereign Cloud Pact to Lock Down Government Data Residency
Kyndryl and Microsoft on July 1, 2026, expanded their sovereign cloud partnership, bundling Kyndryl’s Sovereignty Solutioning with Microsoft’s Azure Local and Microsoft 365 Local. The offering targets government and regulated industries requiring strict data residency, control, and compliance, with Kyndryl handling end-to-end deployment and managed security. Early pilots in healthcare and finance highlight the platform’s ability to deliver hyperscale innovation within air-gapped environments.
Lancom Passes Third-Party Audit to Gain Microsoft Azure Migration Specialisation
Lancom Technology has achieved Microsoft's Azure Infrastructure and Database Migration specialisation after passing a rigorous independent audit. The Auckland-based provider demonstrated deep expertise in moving Windows Server and SQL Server workloads to Azure, including multiple successful projects and high customer satisfaction. The credential positions Lancom as a verified partner for enterprises planning cloud migrations, unlocking additional Microsoft resources and customer incentives.
Kyndryl Deepens Microsoft Sovereign Cloud Pact to Turn Data Residency Rules into Deployable Architecture
Kyndryl and Microsoft have deepened their sovereign cloud partnership, combining Kyndryl's Sovereignty Solutioning with Microsoft Sovereign Cloud capabilities. The move aims to help enterprises and governments meet complex data residency requirements through deployable architectures, leveraging technologies like Azure Local, confidential computing, and Microsoft 365 sovereign editions. The alliance targets regulated industries and public sector customers, promising faster compliance while raising questions about cost, complexity, and vendor lock-in.
IFI Techsolutions Clinches Fourth Azure Expert MSP Renewal, Surpassing Cloud Marketing Hype
IFI Techsolutions Limited has renewed its Microsoft Azure Expert MSP certification for a fourth straight year after a rigorous, two-day independent audit. The achievement highlights the company’s verified operational excellence in cloud governance, security, and cost management, distinguishing it from competitors that rely solely on marketing claims. The renewal reaffirms its standing in an exclusive global cohort of fewer than 150 providers.
IFI Techsolutions Passes Independent Audit, Secures Microsoft Azure Expert MSP Status for Fourth Straight Year
Mumbai-based IFI Techsolutions renews its Microsoft Azure Expert MSP status for a fourth consecutive year following an independent re-audit, reaffirming its proficiency in Azure managed services, cloud governance, and automation.
Konica Minolta’s PKI Cloud Suite Secures Government Printing with CAC/PIV and Microsoft 365 Integration
Konica Minolta’s PKI Cloud Suite, launched July 1, 2026, integrates CAC/PIV smart card authentication with Microsoft 365 GCC and GCC High environments. The cloud-based service enables secure scan-to-OneDrive and Microsoft Universal Print release, addressing critical compliance gaps in government printing and scanning workflows. Early feedback suggests significant reductions in help-desk tickets and improved zero-trust alignment.
Kyndryl Expands Microsoft Pact to Drive Sovereign Cloud from Theory to Practice
Kyndryl and Microsoft announced an expanded partnership on July 1, 2026, combining Kyndryl Sovereignty Solutioning with Microsoft Sovereign Cloud to accelerate real-world compliance deployments. The alliance targets enterprises needing turnkey data residency and regulatory solutions, integrating deeply with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop. Early pilots show reduced latency and faster migration, with a goal of six-week sovereign landing zone deployment.
Azure Chaos Studio Workspaces Enters Public Preview with Zone Failure Simulations
Microsoft has launched Azure Chaos Studio Workspaces in public preview, a new feature that simplifies scenario-driven resilience testing for Azure workloads. With pre-built templates for simulating zone and region failures, teams can now validate their applications’ fault tolerance without complex experiment setups. The preview is available now, free of charge, across Azure public regions.
Third-Party Audit Validates IFI Techsolutions as Azure Expert MSP for Fourth Consecutive Year
IFI Techsolutions Limited renewed its Microsoft Azure Expert MSP status for a fourth year after passing an independent third-party re-audit. The rigorous certification validates advanced cloud governance, cost optimization, and 24×7 operational maturity, giving enterprise customers confidence in their Azure deployments.
Acronis Promises Higher Margins and Data Sovereignty Control to Service Providers with 2026 Partner Cloud IaaS
Acronis is preparing a Partner Cloud IaaS platform for mid-2026, targeting service providers seeking relief from hyperscaler cost unpredictability, VMware licensing upheaval, and data sovereignty demands. The offering promises higher margins, full control, and integrated cyber protection, potentially reshaping the managed services landscape by enabling providers to reclaim infrastructure ownership and profitability.
Konica Minolta Launches PKI Cloud Suite for CAC/PIV Secure Printing in GCC High
Konica Minolta released PKI Cloud Suite on July 1, 2026, enabling CAC/PIV card authentication on bizhub MFPs for Microsoft 365 GCC High customers. The solution integrates with Microsoft Entra ID and Universal Print, allowing secure release printing and encrypted scan-to-OneDrive workflows. It addresses a critical compliance need for government and defense organizations.
Windows 11 Still Demands a Microsoft Account in 2026 – Is User Choice a Thing of the Past?
In 2026, Windows 11 continues to steer users toward a Microsoft account, OneDrive, Edge, Bing, and full telemetry, making local accounts and privacy settings harder to find. This article explores the installation gauntlet, the community workarounds, and the practical steps users can take to regain control, while questioning whether Windows is still a general-purpose tool or has become a managed service.
IFI Techsolutions Earns Azure Expert MSP Status Fourth Year Running, Proving Cloud Mastery
Mumbai-based IFI Techsolutions has renewed its Microsoft Azure Expert MSP status for the fourth consecutive year, demonstrating consistent operational excellence in cloud managed services. The achievement follows rigorous annual audits by Microsoft that validate deep technical capabilities, security practices, and customer success, positioning IFI as a top-tier partner for enterprise Azure deployments.