April 2025 Microsoft Partner Center Announcement

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What are the key updates for Microsoft partners?

The activity log retention limit remains 800 records per subscription. Starting May 1, 2025, email notifications before log deletion will no longer be sent.

The extended deadline for the Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off promo is June 30, 2025. This extends the opportunity through the end of Microsoft Q4.

The April 1, 2025, NCE license-based price list incorrectly reflected the pricing for annual commitment monthly billing plans for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service. These prices should have been 5% higher for monthly billing.

Starting April 1, 2025, monthly billing plans for annual/triennial subscriptions will be priced 5% higher than the annual/triennial billing option with upfront payment.

1. Partners are encouraged to export activity logs as .csv files. This format helps preserve the data for further analysis.
2. The new increased license cap for the Microsoft 365 Copilot Getting Started CSP promotion is 2,400 licenses. The promo minimum remains at 10 licenses.
3. Two security measures being enforced are the deprecation of graph.windows.net audience tokens and the enforcement of multifactor authentication (MFA) for users signing into the Azure portal and Microsoft 365 admin center.
4. Starting October 7, 2025, there will be two ways to attest to the MCA: through a new, enhanced partner attestation API or direct customer acceptance.
5. If a partner does not integrate the new enhanced MCA attestation API by October 7, 2025, net new customer orders will be blocked unless the customer directly accepts the MCA through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
6. The updated Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) becomes effective on October 4, 2025. No action, signature, or acknowledgment by partners is required as the changes apply automatically.

What changes are being made to the activity log retention notification process?

Starting May 1, 2025, email notifications will no longer be sent to partners when their activity logs in Partner Center reach the 800-record retention limit before automatic deletion. The retention limit itself remains unchanged at 800 records per subscription.

How does the automatic deletion of activity logs impact my subscriptions?

Truncating (deleting) the activity log is a standard data management process and does not affect your subscription's status, your customer service, or the subscription itself. Its purpose is to maintain space for new updates and ensure the log functions correctly.

What action should partners take to retain activity log data after May 1, 2025?

Partners are strongly encouraged to proactively export their activity logs as .csv files before they reach the 800-record retention limit. Once logs are automatically deleted upon reaching the limit, they cannot be restored.

What is the current status of the Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off promotion?

The Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off promotion has been extended and is now available through June 30, 2025. Additionally, the license cap for this promotion has been increased to 2,400 licenses.

What are the key upcoming changes to the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) partner attestation process?

Beginning October 7, 2025, Microsoft will introduce blocking changes for net new customer orders if the MCA has not been accepted. The existing methods for partner attestation (current API and Partner Center UX) will be retired.

The new, enhanced attestation process will rely on a new API for partner attestation or direct customer acceptance. A read-only capability for the MCA bulk attestation tool will be implemented on May 7, 2025, with the tool being fully retired in January 2026.

When will the updated Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) become effective, and what action is required from partners?

The updated Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) is available for review and will become effective automatically for current partners on October 4, 2025. No action, signature, or acknowledgment is required from partners for the updated terms to apply.

What pricing changes are being implemented for monthly billing of annual/triennial subscriptions in CSP?

Starting April 1, 2025, all new and renewing monthly billing plans for annual and triennial term subscriptions will be priced 5% higher than the annual/triennial billing option with upfront payment for those subscription plans. This change applies across various purchase channels and segments.

What new capabilities in Partner Center are being introduced to improve renewals and upgrades in CSP?

As of April 1, 2025, new capabilities are available in Partner Center. These include a guided user interface to assist partners with renewing expiring Enterprise Agreements (EA) for eligible Microsoft 365 and Office 365 suites into CSP while retaining Teams entitlements.

Additionally, an automated support process using an AI assistant is being introduced in Partner Center to streamline the cancellation and credit process for duplicate subscriptions resulting from midterm upgrades, aiming to reduce processing time.

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Details and Key Actions

1. Activity Log Retention and Notification Changes:

• Key Change: Starting May 1, 2025, Microsoft will no longer send email notifications when CSP activity logs reach their retention limit of 800 records per subscription before deletion.
• Existing Policy Remains: Activity logs continue to be automatically deleted when they exceed the 800-record limit.
• Impact: Partners will need to proactively monitor and export their activity logs to avoid data loss.
• Recommendation: Partners are "encouraged to proactively export logs as .csv files before reaching the retention limit to preserve data for further analysis."
• Effect on Subscriptions: Deleting activity logs is a "routine data management step" and does not affect subscription status, customer service, or the subscription itself.
• Known Limitation: "You can't restore deleted logs after they're removed."

2. Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started Promotion Extensions and Updates:

• Promotion Extended: The 15% off promotion for Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started is extended through June 30, 2025.
• License Cap Increased: The license cap for the promotion has been significantly raised from 300 to 2400 licenses, effective immediately.
• Minimum Licenses: The promotion minimum remains at 10 licenses.
• Discount Details: Partners benefit from a "15% discount off net partner price on new Copilot subscriptions for 10 to 2,400 licenses for 12 months."
• Flexible Additions: Partners can "add up to 2,400 licenses at the discounted price anytime during the subscription term."
• Flexible Billing: Customers have the option of "annual commitment with monthly payments, available with a five percent price increase compared to the annual upfront payment option."
• Partner Actions: Partners are encouraged to proactively connect with customers with upcoming Microsoft 365 renewals and highlight this promotion, using available resources like the Offer Landing Kit and Copilot Partner Services Blueprint.

3. Enhanced Security Measures and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Enforcement:

• Deprecation of Graph.windows.net Tokens: To improve security, Microsoft is deprecating graph.windows.net audience tokens, requiring partners to update their interaction with Partner Center APIs.
• MFA Enforcement: Microsoft is enforcing MFA for all users signing into both the Azure portal and the Microsoft 365 admin center portal. Partners need to review timelines and implement these changes.
• Partner Resources: Partners are encouraged to attend CSP Community calls and dedicated CSP Technical Training for more information and to address queries.

4. Significant Changes to Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) Partner Attestation:

• Blocking Changes: Microsoft is implementing blocking changes for net new customer orders related to MCA attestation, effective October 7, 2025.
• Reduced Attestation Methods: Beginning October 7, 2025, there will only be two ways for the MCA to be accepted for net new customers: through a new, enhanced partner attestation API or direct customer acceptance.
• Retiring Methods: The current API and the Partner Center UX attestation methods will be retired on October 7, 2025.
• Bulk Attestation Tool Changes: After May 7, 2025, the MCA bulk attestation tool will no longer perform bulk attestations and will have a read-only capability. The tool will be fully retired in January 2026.
• Importance of Compliance: Microsoft emphasizes the importance of ensuring customers review and accept the MCA for upholding their terms and maintaining trust.
• New Enhanced API: The new API aims to "streamline the experience for partners by replacing the three existing methods... with one," providing a "more compliant and reliable way to capture and relay customer acceptance information."
• API Availability: The new API is available in sandbox as of April 11, 2025, for partners to begin integration and testing.
• Blocking Impact: If partners do not integrate the new API by October 7, 2025, net new customers for whom the partner wishes to attest will need to "directly accept the MCA through the Microsoft 365 admin center before placing an order."
• Existing MCAs: Partners using current attestation methods or direct customer acceptance will not need to reaccept MCAs for existing customers after October 7, 2025. The changes impact only net new customers where partner attestation is desired.

5. Updates to the Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA):

• MPA Update: The Microsoft Partner Agreement is being updated, with changes becoming effective automatically for current partners on October 4, 2025.
• No Action Required: "No action, signature, or acknowledgment by partners is required."
• Purpose: The updates incorporate terms supporting Microsoft's commitment to "privacy, security, compliance, and transparency" and aim to "further improve business best practices."
• Partner Action: Partners are encouraged to access and review the updated MPA in Partner Center with their legal teams.

6. CSP Monthly Updates and Community Resources:

• Regular Publications: Monthly views of partner launch calendars, the CSP Bimonthly Update newsletter, and other CSP community resources are published to provide essential program updates.
• Launch Calendars: Provide a consolidated view of "all recent and active launches in a single place," with timelines and links to materials.
• Bimonthly Newsletter: Aggregates recent announcements, updates, events, and reminders.
• Partner Journey Maps: Provide "detailed navigation along the journey of Microsoft’s highest priority transformations."
• CSP Spotlight Webinars: Cover the "latest CSP licensing information available for all partners."
• CSP Community Q&A Session: Offers an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about program changes. Partners can submit questions up to 48 hours before the call.

7. Corrections to the April 1st NCE License-Based Price List:

• Initial Error: The April 1, 2025, NCE license-based price list was published with "incorrect pricing for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service."
• Correction: The April license-based price lists were republished to correct the price errors, reflecting the expected 5% higher price for annual commitment monthly billing plans, as announced in December 2024.
• Partner Center Catalog Updated: The purchase price in the Partner Center catalog (UI and API) was updated on April 2, 2025.
• Order Handling: Purchases made before the price list republish but after the catalog update will be adjusted to the published list price, with credits applied in a subsequent invoice. Purchases made before the catalog update are honored at the initially quoted price.

8. Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Updates:

• SMB Paths for Azure Designations: SMB paths for Solutions Partner designations in Data & AI (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), and Infrastructure (Azure) are now available.
• European and Non-European Product Benefits: Microsoft 365 and Teams Enterprise product benefits are now available in two versions on Partner Center benefits: EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland version, and Non-EEA version. Partners must select the correct version based on the customer's tenant location.
• New Azure Specialization V.Next for Build AI Apps: Launched on March 21, 2025, this offers an alternative path to meet the Module B audit requirement for qualified partners by using "existing already-completed projects in the Azure Innovate (AI) partner-led program." Program qualifications and engagement eligibility criteria are detailed.
• Updates to Infrastructure and Database Migration Specialization: Performance and skilling requirements have been updated to focus on either Windows or Linux and either SQL or OSS databases, aligning with customer preferences and recent audit updates. The Azure Security Engineer Associate certification has been added to skilling requirements, and the number of required certified individuals increased to four. The Azure Database Administrator Associate certificate has been added to replace the expiring Azure Data Engineer Associate certificate.
• Training Services Partner Program Renewals: Partners within their enrollment window can renew their TSP Designations starting April 5, 2025.
• Removal of Expiring Skilling Certifications: The Azure Data Engineer Associate certificate expired on March 31, 2025, and is being replaced or removed from skilling requirements for various specializations and the Azure Expert MSP Program. The Fabric Data Engineer Associate certificate replaces it for Analytics and DW Migrate specializations.
• Increased Benefits for Solutions Partner with Certified Software Designations: Partners attaining one of the seven Solutions Partner with certified software designations (Azure, Security, or Industry AI) qualify for "top-tier benefits in addition to their own set of benefits." Subsidies are offered for assessments conducted by non-Microsoft auditors.
• SMB Path for Security Solutions Partner Designation: The SMB path for the Security Solutions Partner designation is now available.
• Upcoming Skilling Changes for SPD: Skilling requirements for five different SPD (Business Applications, Data & AI, Modern Works, Infrastructure, and Digital & App Innovation) are being updated, including retiring and introducing new certifications. These changes are expected to go live in April.
• Reminder of New Benefits Announcement: A reminder is included about the announcement on January 22, 2025, of more than 20 in-demand product licenses available as benefits for partners who purchase partner benefits packages, Solutions Partner designations, or specializations.

9. Process Improvements in CSP:

• Improving EA to CSP Transition: New guided user interface in Partner Center launched on April 1, 2025, to help partners "ensure that partners who have customers with expiring Enterprise Agreements (EA) with Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 with Teams and Office 365 E1, E3, and E5 with Teams, which are end of sale (EOS), can renew into CSP and keep their Teams entitlement." This interface is for license-based, per-user subscriptions only, and partners need an established reseller relationship.
• Automating Midterm Upgrade Support: Starting April 1, 2025, the AI assistant in Partner Center features a new support prompt for automating the cancellation and credit process for "duplicate subscriptions resulting from midterm upgrades processed through Partner Center." This is expected to reduce processing time significantly. Other upgrade paths will be enabled in the AI assistant by May 2025.

10. Standardizing Billing Structure and Pricing Updates:

• 5% Price Increase for Monthly Billing: Starting April 1, 2025, all new and renewing monthly billing plans for annual/triennial subscriptions are priced 5% higher than the annual/triennial billing option for those plans. This applies across Buy Online, CSP, and MCA-E for all segments.
• Upfront Payment Option: Customers can change their billing plan from monthly to upfront billing at renewal, priced 5% lower than the updated monthly billing option.
• EOS Offer Pricing: Pricing updates for EOS and EOS with Conversion Offers (like Microsoft 365 E3/E5 and Office 365 E1/E3/E5 suites with Teams) are reflected in the April EOS price list. Partners must manage renewals for these EOS SKUs as new purchases or term duration edits are not possible in CSP.
• Trial Renewals: Trials continue to default to renewing into annual subscriptions with monthly billing. However, starting April 1, 2025, partners can specify values (license quantity, term, billing frequency) for paid subscriptions that trials renew into or opt out of auto-renewal.
• Blocking Mid-Term Billing Frequency Changes: Beginning April 1, 2025, mid-term billing frequency changes for triennial offers are blocked.
• Pricing Updates for Teams Phone and Power BI: Pricing updates for Microsoft Teams Phone Standard, Power BI Pro, and Power BI Premium Per User are effective April 1, 2025, for new and existing customers upon renewal. No further pricing changes for those purchased through Microsoft 365 and Office 365 E5 suites.

Critical Deadlines and Actions

• May 1, 2025:
  • Email notifications for activity log retention limits will no longer be sent when logs reach the retention limit before deletion. Activity logs continue to be automatically deleted when the 800 record limit is exceeded.
  • Other upgrade paths will also be enabled in the AI assistant for automating midterm upgrade support processes.
• May 7, 2025: The MCA bulk attestation capability in the MCA bulk attestation tool will be retired, and the tool will be limited to read-only.
• June 30, 2025:
  • The Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off promo (with the increased 2400 license cap) ends.
  • Active partners currently nominating through Azure partner-led offerings for ISVs (Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate) will continue to have access to these incentives until this date.
• October 4, 2025: The updated Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) terms become effective for current partners automatically.
• October 7, 2025:
  • Blocking changes for net new customer orders based on MCA acceptance become effective. Orders will be blocked unless the customer directly accepted or the partner attested using the new enhanced API.
  • The current MCA attestation API and the Partner Center UX for attestation will be retired.
  • Sandbox testing for the existing MCA attestation API ends.
• January 2026: The MCA bulk attestation tool will be retired.
• March 31, 2026: The Azure Data Engineer Associate certification remains valid until this date.

Previous Month Deadlines

• April 1, 2025:
  • Microsoft launches new capabilities in Partner Center to improve the transition for EA customers renewing to CSP and automate the support process for midterm upgrades.
  • The NCE license-based price list is published, but with incorrect pricing for annual commitment monthly billing plans for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service.
  • Microsoft standardizes the billing structure with a 5% price increase for all new and renewing monthly billing plans for annual/triennial subscriptions compared to the annual/triennial billing option. This applies across Buy Online, CSP, and MCA-E for all segments.
  • Pricing updates for Microsoft Teams Phone Standard, Power BI Pro, and Power BI Premium Per User become effective for new and existing customers upon renewal.
  • Partners can now specify values (license quantity, term, billing frequency) for paid subscriptions that trial purchases renew into.
  • Mid-term billing frequency changes for triennial offers are blocked.
  • The Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off Promotion is extended through June 30, 2025. The original license cap is 300.
• April 2, 2025:
  • The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program monthly update is published, announcing available changes to specializations and designations, including SMB paths for Data & AI (Azure), Digital & App Innovation (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), and Security Solutions Partner designations.
  • European and Non-European versions for Microsoft 365 and Teams Enterprise benefits are made available in Partner Center.
  • The new Azure Specialization V.Next for Build AI Apps offer is launched (announced March 21, 2025).
  • Updates to the Infrastructure and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure Specialization are announced.
  • Information regarding removing expiring skilling certifications in Analytics, Data Warehouse Migration, and Migrate Enterprise Applications specializations and the Azure Expert MSP Program is included.
  • Additional benefits with Solutions Partner with certified software designations are highlighted.
  • Subsidies for assessments by Non-Microsoft auditors for certified software designations are offered on a first-come/first-serve basis.
• April 2, 2025 (2 PM PST): The purchase price in the Partner Center catalog (UI and API) for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service is updated to reflect correct pricing.
• April 3, 2025: An announcement is made about the incorrect pricing in the April 1 NCE license-based price list and that it will be republished shortly.
• April 4, 2025: The April license-based price lists are republished to correct price errors for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service.
• April 5, 2025: Partners within their enrollment window have the opportunity to renew their Training Services Partner Program Designations.
• April 7, 2025: The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program monthly update is updated.
• April 8, 2025: The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program monthly update is updated.
  • The April Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) monthly updates and community reminder are published, highlighting available resources like partner launch calendars, the CSP Bimonthly Update newsletter, Partner Journey Maps, and CSP spotlight webinars. A reminder for the monthly CSP Community Q&A session is included.
• April 9, 2025: An update to the Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) is announced, effective October 4, 2025. The updated terms are available for review.
• April 11, 2025:
  • Blocking changes for net new customer orders related to Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) partner attestation are announced.
  • A new, enhanced MCA attestation API is made available in a sandbox environment for partners to begin integration and testing.
• April 15, 2025: The monthly update regarding important actions partners need to take to secure the partner ecosystem is published, highlighting available security capabilities and updates.
  • Deprecation of graph.windows.net audience tokens is announced.
  • Microsoft is enforcing multifactor authentication (MFA) for all users signing into Azure portal and Microsoft 365 admin center portal.
• April 21, 2025: The Microsoft 365 Copilot CSP Getting Started 15% off promo is extended through June 30, 2025, and the license cap is increased to 2400.
• April 23, 2025: A notification regarding changes to the activity log retention limit process is published. Starting May 1, 2025, email notifications will no longer be sent when logs reach the retention limit before deletion.
• April 25, 2025: The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program monthly update is updated.

Recommendations

• Review and export activity logs regularly before May 1, 2025, to avoid data loss.
• Leverage the extended Microsoft 365 Copilot promotion and increased license cap to engage with customers.
• Implement MFA for Azure and Microsoft 365 admin center access by the specified timelines.
• Evaluate the new enhanced MCA attestation API available in sandbox and plan for the transition by October 7, 2025. Determine whether to integrate the new API or transition net new customers to direct acceptance.
• Review the updated Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA).
• Utilize the available CSP community resources, including launch calendars, newsletters, journey maps, webinars, and Q&A sessions, to stay informed.
• Be aware of and communicate the standardized billing structure changes and pricing updates for monthly billing, Teams Phone, and Power BI to customers. Manage renewals and trial conversions accordingly.
• Review updates to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, including SMB paths, European/Non-European benefits, new specializations, and skilling requirement changes.
• Communicate these changes to relevant teams within your organization.

CSP Billing Ultimate 2025

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