If you’re like me, you’ve probably rushed through countless online forms asking for your name, address and email.  I’ll usually plug in any old email that I can think of to get past the contact info so I can get on with my day.  Most of the time life moves on and I forget whatever information I entered. Sound familiar? Fast forward a year or two, and you’re stuck thinking… “What email do I use for that account?”  Not a huge problem for your Grubhub account, but can be a huge bother when it comes to your Microsoft Certified Professional ID (MCPID).  Your MCPID account houses, among other things, your Microsoft certifications and is also often your Live ID which gets you access to PartnerSource or CustomerSource. “Live ID?” you ask.  Yep, a “Microsoft account or MSA (previously known as Microsoft Passport, .NET Passport, Microsoft Passport Network, and Windows Live ID) is a single sign-on web service developed and provided by Microsoft that allows users to log into websites (like Outlook.com), devices (e.g. Windows 10 computers and tablets, Windows Phones, or Xbox consoles), and applications (including Visual Studio) using one account.  Thanks Wikipedia! “But I have a @dynamicconsulting.com email address.  Do you mean that?”  No.  Well maybe. If you have an email from your employer or school managed through an Office365 account, that’s likely an organizational ID.  You can, in some cases, link your organizational ID with your Live ID.  For more about that, check out https://blog.thoughtstuff.co.uk/2014/04/live-ids-microsoft-organizational-ids-oh-my/ Sounds confusing?  It does, because it is.  And why do I know a bit about this?  Because I’ve been through the ringer and back again trying to square away my own account.  So… I thought to post a few helpful hints to work through issues I’ve come across.

Top Microsoft account problems I’ve run into since joining the Dynamics ecosystem:

You move to a new partner and want to move your certifications over

Your MCPID is supposed to be separate from your company identity because it doesn’t belong to them, it belongs to you!  Sometimes companies will help their employees with this process and set everything up on the org ID.  But then when it’s time to move on to greener pastures, you’re stuck right?  Not anymore.  Here’s a walkthrough for how to manage your own MCPID: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2966380/link-or-unlink-an-mcp-id-to-or-from-a-partner-organization Update your email address and fire up an individual live ID to regain control.  Also, here you can link or unlink your MCPID to or from a partner organization.

Can’t find my MCPID or what certifications I have

“Great advice. Really, great article.  But I can’t find my MCPID anymore so where do I start?”  No worries, try logging in here: https://partners.microsoft.com/PartnerProgram/individualhome.aspx?tab=1   You should be see your individual information, and get copies of any certifications you have and other account details.

I’m a customer and I want access to CustomerSource

Dynamics Learning Portal

Dynamics Learning Portal

The DLP is a PartnerSource integrated learning portal dedicated to bringing value to Microsoft Dynamics partners. The features of the platform are designed to help increase competency levels, thereby accelerating business growth. DLP is the destination for Microsoft Dynamics partners to consume on-demand training content from multiple training sites, perform hands-on-labs, view scheduled in-person and virtual events occurring around the world, view exam preparation guides, download course materials and links to external resources. Dynamics Learning Portal hosts learning resources for the versions of Microsoft Dynamics products, including: Microsoft Dynamics 365, Enterprise edition; Microsoft Dynamics 365, Business Edition; Microsoft Dynamics AX; Microsoft Dynamics CRM; Microsoft Dynamics GP; Microsoft Dynamics NAV; Microsoft Dynamics SL and Other Software & Services. DLP offers all level 100 (beginner), 200 (intermediate) and 300 (advanced) learning resources with the intent of reducing complexity and offering a more agile learning experience. You can access it here: https://mbspartner.microsoft.com/Home Unfortunately the learning portal has been plagued by access issues much like the rest of the support platforms for Dynamics.  But fear not!  The DLP team desperately wants you to enjoy your learning portal rights, and are there to help.  They’ve made a few helpful videos which you can watch below. “Umm, one of the 700 pieces of information above doesn’t work for me.” Yeah I know.  There’s about a million different websites, and log ins, account numbers and so on.  I think, in some way, Microsoft is trying to address this.  Albeit slowly.  Azure Active Directory is on it’s way.  Which will likely break more than it helps at first.  But eventually I think things will improve. If you’re getting a screen like this:
Don't have access

Don’t have access

or this:
Partner network unknown error

Partner network unknown error

or this:
Associate your ID

Associate your ID

Don’t worry.  (All errors I’ve gotten while writing this article)  Try refreshing the screen a few times, accessing InPrivate mode, or switching to another browser.  Tricks I deploy often to get this working.  For MPN troubleshooting, check out these tips available on Microsoft’s support site. Have you had any of these problems?  Let me hear from you or share some of your best workarounds in the comments below. If you’d like some slides or videos to access DLP or MPN, send us an email by clicking here.