July and Early August 2025 Microsoft Partner Center Announcement

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Critical Deadlines and Actions

• July 1, 2025:
  • Exchange Server SE and Skype for Business Server SE General Availability.
  • 10% price increase for standalone on-premises server products.
  • No local currency adjustments for Commercial Cloud.
• July 10, 2025: Enhanced MCA Attestation API available in production.
• July 15, 2025 (ETA): Self-serve capability to cancel a purchase order.
• July 21, 2025: Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Concierge benefit replaces existing GTM benefits.
• July 30, 2025: Changes to Training Services Partner Qualification effective.
• End of July 2025: New Copilot Specialization launch.
• August 1, 2025:
  • 15% and 20% price increases for Core CAL Suite and Enterprise CAL Suite (except for US Indirect CRP).
  • Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU removed from price list.
  • Preview of first increment of Core CAL/Enterprise CAL Suite price increase for US Indirect (Reseller) CRP price list.
• August 30, 2025: MFA enforced for all Partner Center portal pages.
• August 31, 2025: Graph.windows.net audience tokens retiring (new generateToken API version required).
• September 1, 2025:
  • Enhanced POR validation for active, compliant indirect resellers on new CSP subscriptions.
  • First increment of Core CAL/Enterprise CAL Suite price increase effective for US Indirect (Reseller) CRP price list.
• September 30, 2025: Partner Center API code-ready for MFA.
• October 7, 2025: MCA bulk attestation capability retired (read-only).
• January 5, 2026:
  • Blocking changes for net new customer MCA orders (unless new API used or direct acceptance).
  • Existing MCA attestation API and Partner Center UX-based attestation retired.
• January 2026: MCA bulk attestation tool fully retired.
• April 1, 2026: MFA mandatory for Partner Center API access.

What are the key updates for Microsoft partners?

The Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU was erroneously published on the July 1, 2025 price list, despite being replaced by the 2025 SKU on June 1, 2025. It will be removed from the Partner Center price list on August 1, 2025.

Partners must stop decoding tokens in the API response and remove dependencies on any claims in the token returned by the generateToken API. This is due to the deprecation of graph.windows.net audience tokens, and the change must be implemented by August 31, 2025.

1. The new POR validation API helps partners programmatically check if a Partner of Record can be attached to a subscription. It provides confirmation if the POR can be assigned, and if not, the reasons why, aiding in automation and pre-transaction validation.
2. The price increases for these standalone on-premises server products became effective on July 1, 2025, and are by 10%. This change coincided with the general availability of Exchange Server SE and Skype for Business Server SE.
3. Microsoft is changing the MCA attestation process to improve compliance, protect intellectual property, and enhance security. Audit findings revealed that some partners struggled to provide proof of customer agreement acceptance, leading to potential regulatory, copyright, and security issues.
4. The Signature Cloud Support (SCS) benefit is now limited to 50 incidents per year, effective June 23, 2025. This change aligns with a broader shift toward paid Azure support through ASfP and PSfP.
5. Effective July 21, 2025, the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Concierge benefit is replacing the existing GTM benefits. This new, unified benefit will serve as a streamlined go-to resource for all MAICPP program-related desk engagements.
6. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) will be enforced for all pages in the Partner Center portal starting August 30, 2025. Additionally, the API will be code-ready for MFA on September 30, 2025, with mandatory API access MFA by April 1, 2026.
7. The current courseware model for TSP qualification is being replaced with a more refined three-bucket structure: Fundamentals, two Days or Less, and three Days or More. This change aims to increase qualification flexibility and make qualifications easier, while total points for qualification remain the same.
8. There are no adjustments for Microsoft's Commercial Cloud and on-premises software services due to local currency fluctuations, following the latest semi-annual foreign exchange pricing evaluation. Product-specific or Consumer price adjustments are communicated separately.

What are the key changes and effective dates regarding on-premises server product licensing and pricing?

Microsoft is introducing several licensing and pricing changes for its on-premises server products in July and August 2025. Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) and Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) became generally available on July 1, 2025. To use these Subscription Editions, customers must have active Software Assurance (SA) or cloud subscription licenses for all users and devices. These Subscription Editions transition to a "version-less" product with regular updates under the Modern Lifecycle Policy, aligning with SharePoint.

Effective July 1, 2025, prices for all standalone on-premises server products (SharePoint Server, Exchange Server, and Skype for Business Server) increased by 10%. Prices for Core CAL Suite and Enterprise CAL Suite will increase by 15% and 20% respectively, effective August 1, 2025. However, for the United States Indirect (Reseller) CRP price list, the CAL Suite price increases will be phased in increments of no more than 10%, with the first increment previewing on August 1, 2025, and becoming effective on September 1, 2025. These changes exclusively apply to on-premises versions and do not impact pricing for SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, or Microsoft Teams.

What security enhancements are being implemented in Partner Center, and when will they take effect?

Microsoft is implementing several security enhancements for the Partner Center and its associated APIs. Crucially, multifactor authentication (MFA) will be enforced for all pages in the Partner Center portal starting August 30, 2025. For API access, the API will be "code-ready" for MFA on September 30, 2025, and MFA will become mandatory for API access starting April 1, 2026.

Additionally, Microsoft is deprecating graph.windows.net audience tokens. All Partner Center services using the Azure Active Directory graph API are migrating to api.partnercenter.microsoft.com. Partners using the generateToken API must update their systems to use the new version, which accepts only api.partnercenter.microsoft.com audience tokens, by August 31, 2025, to avoid service disruption. A Security Workspace AI Assistant and a redesigned Security Requirements UI are also available to help partners manage their security posture.

What is changing with the Partner of Record (POR) validation process for CSP subscriptions?

Starting September 1, 2025, Partner Center will implement stricter validation to ensure that distributors assign only active and compliant indirect resellers as Partner of Record (POR) on new Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) subscriptions.

To assist with this, a new POR validation API has been released. This API allows partners to programmatically check if a POR can be assigned and, if not, provides the reasons for the failure. This helps partners automate POR status checks and validate PORs before transacting, especially if they host their own marketplace experiences. Indirect resellers must ensure they have an active CSP tenant, have accepted the Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) for indirect resellers, and are associated with a distributor in their CSP region to avoid service disruption.

What are the updates regarding the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) attestation process?

Microsoft is revising the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) attestation process to enhance compliance and security. Currently, distributors and direct bill partners can attest to the MCA on behalf of their customers using an API, the Partner Center UX, or a bulk attestation tool. To improve this, a new, enhanced API-based attestation method will be available in production on July 10, 2025.

Beginning January 5, 2026, Microsoft will block orders for net new customer purchases unless the customer has directly accepted the MCA or the partner has attested using the new enhanced API. The existing API and Partner Center UX-based attestation experience will be retired on January 5, 2026. The MCA bulk attestation tool's bulk attestation capability will be retired on October 7, 2025, becoming read-only, with the tool fully retired in January 2026. Partners are strongly advised to integrate the new API or transition to direct customer acceptance via the Microsoft 365 admin center before these deadlines.

What changes are happening within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits and specializations?

Several updates are being introduced to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. Effective July 30, 2025, the Training Services Partner (TSP) designation's qualification framework is being refined to a three-bucket structure: Fundamentals, Two Days or Less, and Three Days or More, to increase qualification flexibility. Skilling updates for Azure Specializations include replacing the expired Azure Data Engineer Associate certificate with the Fabric Data Engineer Associate Certificate for Analytics and Data Warehouse Migration specializations, while it's being removed without replacement for Migrate Enterprise Apps Specialization and Azure Expert Managed Services Provider Program requirements.

The Signature Cloud Support (SCS) benefit, previously unlimited for Solutions Partner Designation holders, will be capped at 50 technical cloud support tickets per partner per year, effective June 23, 2025, and is being renamed to Partner Cloud Support. A new "Copilot Specialization" is launching by the end of July 2025 to highlight partner expertise in Microsoft 365 Copilot services.

Additionally, the Security Solutions Partner designation is updating its intermediate certification requirements by mid-July 2025, adding the Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate as an alternative. The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Concierge benefit is also replacing existing Go-To-Market (GTM) benefits starting July 21, 2025, to provide a unified resource for program-related engagements.

What is the status of Windows Server 2022 External Connector and its replacement?

The Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU (DG7GMGF0D515) was replaced by the Windows Server 2025 External Connector SKU (DG7GMGF0XCZ4) in the Partner Center price list on June 1, 2025, and is no longer available for purchase. However, the Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU was erroneously published on the July 1, 2025, price list. It will be removed from the Partner Center price list on August 1, 2025. Partners should now use the new Windows Server 2025 External Connector SKU.

What is the current status of local currency price adjustments for Microsoft's commercial cloud services?

As of July 1, 2025, Microsoft has announced that there are no adjustments for its Commercial Cloud and on-premises software services due to local currency fluctuations, following the latest semi-annual foreign exchange pricing evaluation. This means that, based on this evaluation, no general price increases or decreases are being implemented for these services solely due to currency variations.

Product-specific price adjustments and Consumer price adjustments are communicated separately. It's important to note that local currency pricing changes for the Commercial business do not apply to Azure in Modern Commerce (through MCA, CSP, and Microsoft Buy Online) as these are consistently priced in US dollars.

Are there any new self-serve capabilities being introduced for partners in Partner Center?

Yes, a new self-serve capability to cancel a purchase order is expected to be available around July 15, 2025. This feature aims to provide partners with an interface to request order cancellations, automating checks and balances that were previously handled manually by the support team. This is intended to reduce the number of support tickets for such requests and improve efficiency for partners.

Details and Key Actions

I. Security Enhancements and API Updates

Microsoft is implementing stricter security protocols across Partner Center and its APIs to safeguard partner and customer data.

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Enforcement for Partner Center:
  • MFA will be enforced for all pages in the Partner Center portal starting August 30, 2025.
  • The API will be code-ready for MFA on September 30, 2025.
  • MFA will be mandatory for API access starting April 1, 2026.
  • Partners are strongly advised to adopt these updates promptly to "avoid service disruptions and ensure your systems stay aligned with Partner Center’s security standards." (Monthly update: Important actions partners need to take to secure the partner ecosystem, July 16, 2025)
• Azure AD Graph Token Deprecation:
  • graph.windows.net audience tokens are retiring on August 31, 2025.
  • All Partner Center services using Azure Active Directory Graph API are migrating to api.partnercenter.microsoft.com.
  • Partners using the generateToken API must stop decoding the token in the API response and remove dependency on any claims in the token. A new version of the generateToken API is available.
  • "Ensure your technical teams are aware of these changes and take the necessary steps to update your systems before August 31, 2025, to avoid disruption of business." (Monthly update: Important actions partners need to take to secure the partner ecosystem, July 16, 2025)
• New POR Validation API:
  • A new Partner of Record (POR) validation API has been released to help distributors programmatically check if a POR can be attached to a subscription.
  • Effective September 1, 2025, "both the API and UI check if the reseller is in compliance with the reseller's authorization terms." (Partner Program and Pricing Updates: July 2025, July 28, 2025)
  • Distributors should review the new API documentation, test in sandboxes, and use the Insights dashboard to identify and resolve issues with invalid PORs.
  • Indirect resellers must have an active CSP tenant, accept the Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA), and be associated with a distributor in their CSP region to avoid disruption.
• Security Workspace AI Assistant:
  • Now available in Partner Center to "resolve partner queries, clarify requirement details, and navigate learning resources efficiently." (Monthly update: Important actions partners need to take to secure the partner ecosystem, July 16, 2025)
• Redesigned Security Requirements UI:
  • The user interface for Security Requirements in Partner Center has been redesigned to clearly separate mandatory and recommended controls, aiding partners in understanding compliance expectations.

II. On-Premises Productivity Server Licensing and Pricing Updates

Microsoft is making significant changes to on-premises server product licensing and pricing, emphasizing the continued value of Microsoft 365 suites while supporting critical on-premises deployments.

• Launch of Subscription Editions:
  • Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) and Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE) became generally available on July 1, 2025.
  • To use these Subscription Editions, customers must have active Software Assurance (SA) or cloud subscription licenses.
  • These products now align with SharePoint by transitioning to a "version-less" model with regular updates through the Modern Lifecycle Policy, moving away from a three-year version cycle.
• Price Increases for Server Products and Suites:
  • Prices for all standalone on-premises server products (SharePoint Server, Exchange Server, and Skype for Business Server) increased by 10% on July 1, 2025.
  • Prices for Core CAL Suite and Enterprise CAL Suite are increasing by 15% and 20% respectively, effective August 1, 2025.
  • Specific Delay for US Indirect (Reseller) CRP Price List: For the United States Indirect (Reseller) CRP price list, the Core CAL and Enterprise CAL Suite price increases will be phased in. The first increment will preview on August 1, 2025, and be effective September 1, 2025.
  • "These changes apply exclusively to the on-premises versions of these products. There's no impact to pricing for SharePoint Online, Exchange Online or Microsoft Teams purchased separately or through a Microsoft 365 license." (Licensing and pricing updates for on-premises productivity server products, July 17, 2025)
  • Partners should inform customers and adjust offerings accordingly.
• Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU:
  • The end-of-sale Windows Server 2022 External Connector SKU (DG7GMGF0D515) was erroneously published on the July price list.
  • It was replaced by Windows Server 2025 External Connector SKU (DG7GMGF0XCZ4) on June 1, 2025, and is no longer transactable.
  • The 2022 SKU will be removed from the Partner Center price list on August 1, 2025. Partners should use the new 2025 SKU.

III. Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) Attestation Process Changes

To improve compliance and enhance security, Microsoft is updating the MCA attestation process, impacting how partners confirm customer agreement acceptance.

• Blocking Changes Timeline Extended:
  • "Beginning January 5, 2025, Microsoft will block orders for net new customer purchases, unless the customer has directly accepted, or the partner attested using an enhanced API." (Important update to the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) partner attestation blocking changes timeline, July 3, 2025)
  • The initial effective date was January 5, 2025, but the blocking changes timeline has been extended to January 5, 2026, for partner attestation via the existing API.
  • A new API-based attestation method became available in production on July 10, 2025, allowing parallel use with the current version.
  • The existing API-based partner attestation model and the UX-based attestation experience in Partner Center will be retired on January 5, 2026.
  • If partners do not integrate the new, enhanced API by January 5, 2026, their net new customers will need to directly accept the MCA through the Microsoft 365 admin center before placing an order.
• MCA Bulk Attestation Tool Changes:
  • The bulk attestation capability will be retired on October 7, 2025, becoming read-only.
  • The bulk tool will be fully retired in January 2026.
• Partner Action Required:
  • Evaluate and integrate the new, enhanced MCA attestation API.
  • If not transitioning to the new API, incorporate direct customer acceptance of the MCA via the Microsoft 365 admin center into processes.
  • Existing MCAs, whether attested or directly accepted, do not need re-acceptance after January 5, 2026. Only net new customers for whom partners wish to attest are impacted.

IV. Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) Updates

The MAICPP is introducing new benefits, specializations, and updates to existing qualifications.

• New Copilot Specialization:
  • A new "Copilot" specialization will launch by the end of July 2025.
  • This specialization highlights partner capabilities in Microsoft 365 Copilot, including "advisory services, deployment readiness, adoption and change management, and extensibility." (July 2025 Monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update, July 2, 2025)
• Signature Cloud Support (SCS) Benefit Cap:
  • Effective June 23, 2025, the Solutions Partner Designation's unlimited Partner Cloud Support benefit is capped at 50 incidents per year for new purchases or renewals.
  • This benefit is now renamed "Partner Cloud Support" to align with a broader shift toward paid Azure support.
• Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Concierge:
  • Beginning July 21, 2025, this new unified Go-To-Market (GTM) benefit replaces existing GTM benefits like Profile Optimization and Referral Management, and How to Market with Microsoft Guidance/Consultation.
  • It serves as the "go-to resource for all MAICPP program-related desk engagements."
• Skilling and Certification Updates:
  • Training Services Partner Qualification: Effective July 30, 2025, the courseware model is replaced with a refined "three-bucket structure: Fundamentals, two Days or Less, and three Days or More" for increased qualification flexibility.
  • Azure Specializations:The Azure Data Engineer Associate certificate (expired March 31) is replaced by the Fabric Data Engineer Associate Certificate for Analytics and Data Warehouse Migration specializations.
  • For Migrate Enterprise Apps Specialization and Azure Expert Managed Services Provider Program requirements, the Azure Data Engineer Associate Certificate is being removed without replacement.
  • Certificates obtained before retirement remain valid for one year.
  • Security Solutions Partner (SPD) Updates (Mid-July):The Microsoft Information Protection Administrator and Compliance Administrator Associate certification (retired May 31) will remain valid for one year if completed before retirement.
  • A new optional certification, Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate, is being added as an alternative.
  • SMB Track for Security is now available on the Insights Workspace.
• AI Assistant Anywhere in Benefits Workspace:
  • AI Assistant is now available across multiple sections of the Benefits pages to provide "instant answers to frequently asked questions about benefit provisioning and activation."

V. General Updates and Reminders

• Local Currency Price Adjustments:
  • No adjustments for Commercial Cloud and on-premises software services due to local currency fluctuations following the latest semi-annual foreign exchange pricing evaluation (July 1, 2025).
  • "Local currency pricing changes for the Commercial business don't apply to Azure in Modern Commerce through Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA), Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP), and Microsoft Buy Online as those are priced consistently in US dollars." (Local currency price adjustments for Microsoft's commercial cloud, July 1, 2025)
• CSP Monthly Updates and Community Resources:
  • Monthly views are published, including updated partner launch calendars, the CSP Bimonthly Update newsletter, and Partner Journey Maps.
  • Monthly CSP community Q&A sessions are available for partners to learn more and ask questions about program changes.
• Self-Serve Capability for Purchase Order Cancellation:
  • Estimated availability is July 15, 2025, providing partners with an interface to request order cancellations with automated checks, reducing the need for support team intervention.

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