Synextra wins Microsoft Data & AI on Azure designation

Synextra has received Microsoft’s Solutions Partner designation for Data & AI on Azure, adding to the Warrington company’s existing Azure Infrastructure partner status.

Microsoft awards the designation based on certified technical expertise, customer growth on Azure and delivery results. It recognises Synextra’s work in data management, analytics, AI-driven automation and platform engineering on Azure.

The designation places Synextra among Microsoft partners with formal validation for data and AI work, at a time when many managed service providers are trying to establish their credentials in the field. The company works mainly with mid-market and enterprise customers in the UK.

The latest designation builds on a relationship with Microsoft that had already focused on cloud infrastructure. Synextra’s data and AI work includes platform engineering, DevOps, business process automation and data management, with projects delivered using Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and Azure AI services.

Broader scope

Synextra positions itself as an embedded technology partner for clients that might otherwise use several suppliers. Its model combines managed Azure services with consulting and delivery work across infrastructure, operations and software-led automation.

Microsoft’s Solutions Partner framework is used to indicate specialism in defined areas of the vendor’s product set. In this case, the Data & AI category covers building and running data and artificial intelligence systems on Azure.

Chief Executive Chris Piggott said the award reflects a shift in customer demand beyond core cloud hosting and infrastructure management.

“Our core has always been Azure infrastructure. But the businesses we work with need more than that now – and so do we. This designation reflects where the team has been pushing: data, AI, automation, outcomes you can measure. It’s the natural next step for us,” Piggott said.

AI demand

The award comes as UK technology service providers seek to show they can move from talking about AI to delivering live projects. Customers are increasingly asking suppliers not only to manage cloud estates, but also to support data pipelines, automation projects and the deployment of AI tools into day-to-day operations.

Synextra has invested in those areas by developing internal tools, working with AI agents and helping clients implement automation and intelligence systems tied to measurable business outcomes. It did not disclose financial details of those investments.

Its Azure Infrastructure accreditation remains in place alongside the new Data & AI designation. Together, the two statuses show Microsoft recognition across both Synextra’s original infrastructure focus and its newer work in data-led services.

The business describes that expansion as central to its current offer in the UK market. It serves organisations that want external technical support across cloud operations, engineering and transformation projects without building large in-house teams.

For mid-sized businesses in particular, third-party validation from a major software supplier can influence procurement decisions. Buyers often use vendor accreditation as one way to compare technical partners in a market where AI claims have grown rapidly.

The designation recognises Synextra’s ability to help organisations build and operationalise data and AI systems on Azure across data management, analytics, automation and platform engineering.