Connect the relevant records
Bring together earnings and payout records for the same agreed program, period, and currency.
FOR MICROSOFT PARTNER FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Understand the gap between Microsoft incentive earnings and payouts.
ShadowThread is being built to connect reported earnings, adjustments, and payouts so your team can investigate differences with the supporting records in view.
Software in development. We’re gathering interest in a limited complimentary review program.
Start by email. No call required.
HOW IT WORKS
Understand the difference before taking action.
The planned workflow follows the records from earnings to payout. Each finding should show its source, its calculation, and any missing information.
Account for explainable differences
Check supported payment statuses and adjustments before treating a difference as something to investigate.
Keep the reasoning visible
Show the records and calculations behind each finding, along with questions that need more evidence.
Who this is for
Finance and operations professionals at Microsoft partner companies who compare Partner Center incentive earnings with payout reports and investigate differences between them.
Initial validation focuses on selected earnings and payment report scenarios. Support for your program and report format must be confirmed before a review; we do not claim coverage of every Microsoft incentive program.
THE COMPLIMENTARY REVIEW
A defined scope.
A written explanation.
Register your interest and tell us about your reconciliation process. We’ll discuss fit and confirm availability by email before agreeing to a review.
Any complimentary review would cover one agreed reporting period and a defined set of reports and checks. The scope and timing would be agreed in writing before work begins.
Register interest in a reviewWhat an agreed review would include
- A summary of the reports and checks included
- Differences needing investigation, or confirmation that no differences were found within scope
- Supporting record references, calculations, and limitations
- Open questions and suggested next steps
Registering interest does not create an account, authorize data sharing, or commit you to paid work. A review is not a financial audit or a guarantee of recovery.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE · SYNTHETIC DATA
A difference worth investigating, with its evidence attached.
This simplified example shows the intended explanation format. It is not a customer result or a product screenshot.
- Reported earnings Example records E-001–E-003
- $10,000
- Withheld tax Example payment record P-001
- −$500
- Expected net payout $10,000 − $500
- $9,500
- Reported payout Example payment record P-001
- $9,000
- Unexplained difference
- $500
Outcome: needs investigation
The reported payout is $500 below the expected net amount in these example records.
Next step: confirm whether another adjustment or payment record explains the difference. This assumes matching periods and currency, a sent payment status, and no other recorded adjustments.
All amounts are USD. The $500 difference is not a confirmed recovery or entitlement.
TAKING PART
Start with your process.
You can discuss fit before sharing any files.
Tell us what you reconcile
Email your company, role, relevant program, and a brief description of the challenge. No attachments needed.
Agree the review
We confirm availability, supported reports, scope, timing, and the written outcome before you decide whether to proceed.
Share data only when ready
Data handling and secure sharing instructions must be confirmed first. An inquiry alone is not permission to upload or send financial data.
Keep control of identifying information.
The intended workflow removes direct identifying fields on your device and replaces supported identifiers with reference codes. The file that links those codes back to the original identifiers stays with you. This reduces what is shared; it does not make financial data anonymous.
These safeguards must be demonstrated in the agreed review environment before data collection.
Please do not email financial exports, credentials, or identifier reference files. This public website does not accept uploads.WHY SHADOWTHREAD?
The name reflects the work: bringing overlooked details into view and following the evidence that connects them.
Shadow represents differences that can be hard to see across reports. Thread represents the records and reasoning that help explain those differences.
ABOUT SHADOWTHREAD
Meet the Owner
Matt Terry · Founder, ShadowThread
I’m an IT leader with experience managing systems and networking teams, overseeing infrastructure, and helping people work through complex technical challenges. My focus is reliable operations, clear accountability, and information people can trust.
I’m building ShadowThread to bring that same approach to earnings reconciliation: less time comparing spreadsheets, clearer explanations of differences, and findings that finance and operations teams can trace back to supporting records.
Contact ShadowThreadQUESTIONS
Before you get in touch.
Can I use the software today?
ShadowThread is not generally available. The current public invitation is to register interest in a scoped review, not to sign up for software access. Availability and suitability will be confirmed by email.
Which reports and programs are supported?
Initial validation covers selected earnings and payment report scenarios. Tell us which program and report types you use, without attaching the files. We will confirm whether they fit the available checks before agreeing to a review.
Is the review free?
An agreed complimentary review has no review fee within its written scope. The reporting period, reports, checks, and timing must be agreed first. Registering interest does not commit you to paid work.
Do I have to schedule a call?
No. Initial questions, scope agreement, and review communication can be handled by email.
What should I send first?
Your company, role, relevant incentive program, and a short description of your reconciliation challenge. Please do not attach financial reports or include customer identifiers or credentials.
Does a difference mean Microsoft owes money?
No. A difference may be explained by timing, adjustments, missing information, or another record. A potential discrepancy is not a confirmed entitlement or recovery.
Is ShadowThread affiliated with Microsoft?
No. ShadowThread is an independent software product and is not endorsed by Microsoft. Microsoft and Partner Center are trademarks of their respective owner.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Tell us what you’re trying to reconcile.
Email your company, role, relevant program, and the difference or process you would like to understand. We’ll use your inquiry to discuss fit and availability.
Email us about a reviewOpens your email app. Please send no financial attachments.