Microsoft CSP Partner Program Updates November Early December 2025

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Critical Deadlines and Actions

1. Jan 1, 2026 - Adapt to new PreviousValues and ChangeIndicator columns in the NCE Software price list to improve operational efficiency and accuracy in tracking monthly price changes.
2. Jan 5, 2026 - Update all co-sell API integrations to include the now-mandatory Marketplace Intent field. This ensures continued functionality of automated co-sell referral submissions and improves data quality.
3. Jan 2026 - Complete the three mandatory CSP security requirements (MFA, security contact, role review). This maintains CSP authorization status and reduces security risk for both the partner and customers.
4. Mar 31, 2026 - Final day for M365 Copilot Business promotional pricing. A critical deadline for SMB-focused sales campaigns to maximize AI adoption and revenue.
5. Apr 1, 2026 - Proactively manage subscriptions with auto-renew off to avoid automatic EST enrollment. This prevents unexpected billing scenarios for customers and ensures business continuity.
6. Jul 1, 2026 - M365 commercial price increase takes effect. This creates a compelling event to accelerate customer renewals and upsell conversations before the deadline.

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From December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026
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What are the key updates for Microsoft partners?

1. On January 1, 2026, the NCE Software price list will add the PreviousValues and ChangeIndicator columns. The ChangeIndicator column will show if a row has changed from the previous month for fields like Product Title or Unit Price, while the PreviousValues column will display the previously published value for any changed item to help partners understand updates more easily.
2. Microsoft 365 Copilot Business is a new offering designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with fewer than 300 users. It is priced at $21.00 USD per user per month and requires a prerequisite license of Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, or Premium.
3. The Launch Enablement guide is an AI-enhanced, centralized resource for accessing the latest launch updates across the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) offering and Volume Licensing (VL). It replaces the monthly Partner Launch calendars, consolidating information to help partners plan for changes with confidence.
4. The Learning Profile enhancements allow users to link multiple Microsoft Learn profiles (both MSA and AAD) without needing to merge accounts. This provides a consolidated, filterable view of credentials from all connected accounts in one place, with an updated user interface for easier navigation.
5. Indirect resellers must provide a monitored security contact in Partner Center, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for all users with administrative roles, and regularly review and limit privileged roles while removing inactive accounts.
6. The Smarter Referral Submissions process will introduce automated validation checks for inbound co-sell referrals. These checks ensure the estimated deal value is realistic, the estimated close date is a future date (not within the next seven days), the customer need is clearly defined, and valid customer contact information is provided.
7. The specialization is being renamed to "Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub." Key performance requirement changes include removing the Microsoft Sales Experience (MSX) engagement requirement and specifying that the Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) must come from Azure DevOps, GitHub Copilot, GitHub Platform, and/or Microsoft Dev Box.
8. The promotions include a 15% discount on standalone Copilot Business (1–300 licenses), a 35% discount on the Business Standard + Copilot Business bundle (10–300 licenses), and a 25% discount on the Business Premium + Copilot Business bundle (10–300 licenses). Additionally, there is a 50% discount on the Microsoft Purview suite add-on for Business Premium.
9. Extended Service Terms (ESTs) are a new capability path for transacting CSPs. Beginning April 1, 2026, subscriptions purchased on or after April 1, 2025, that expire on or after April 1, 2026, and have auto-renew turned off will automatically be moved into an EST at expiration.
10. The Marketplace Intent field will become mandatory for all IP co-sell referrals submitted via API. This change is intended to ensure greater consistency and data quality. The accepted values for this field are "Yes," "No," or "Have not decided."

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What new columns are being introduced to the New Commerce Experience (NCE) Software price list, and when will this change take effect?

Effective January 1, 2026, the NCE Software price list will include new columns named PreviousValues and ChangeIndicator.

What is the purpose of the Microsoft 365 Copilot Business offering, and what is its price point?

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business is a new offering created for Small and Medium-sized Business (SMB) customers with fewer than 300 users seeking to scale their AI strategies. It delivers the same AI-powered productivity features as the current Copilot SKU, but at a more accessible price of 21.00 USD per user per month.

When are the global price updates for commercial Microsoft 365 suites scheduled to take effect?

A global price update for commercial Microsoft 365 suites across all purchasing channels will be effective July 1, 2026. This price increase will apply to both new and renewing customers.

What functionality does the new AI-enhanced Launch Enablement guide replace?

The Launch Enablement guide provides a centralized experience for launch updates, replacing the monthly Partner Launch calendars.

What are the new names for the two Azure Specializations—Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure and Accelerate Developer Productivity with Microsoft Azure?

Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure is renamed to AI Apps on Microsoft Azure and Accelerate Developer Productivity with Microsoft Azure is renamed to Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub.

What enhancement is available in the Learning Profile experience in Partner Center starting November 18, 2025?

Significant enhancements include Multiple Profile Linking, allowing users to link multiple Microsoft Learn profiles (both MSA and AAD) directly from the Learn Linking page, thus simplifying credential management.

What is the latest update regarding the availability of Security Copilot for Microsoft 365 E5 customers?

Security Copilot began rolling out on November 18, 2025, for existing Security Copilot customers with E5, and will expand to all E5 customers in the following months, along with 12 new Microsoft-built agents to boost security workflows. Customers already using Security Copilot with their E5 subscription will receive this benefit at no extra cost.

What is required of Indirect Resellers to maintain their Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner authorization, starting with annual validation in January 2026?

To maintain CSP authorization, indirect resellers must provide a monitored security contact in Partner Center and ensure that multifactor authentication (MFA) is enabled for all in-scope users with administrative roles.

What is the latest availability update for Microsoft Entra Internet Access for Government Community Cloud (GCC)?

The availability of Microsoft Entra Internet Access for GCC is delayed to January 1, 2026, and the SKU currently on the December price list is not transactable.

What are the required details for inbound co-sell referrals in Phase 1 of the smarter referral submission enhancement, set for general availability in January 2026?

Key features of the automated completeness checks include ensuring the estimated deal value is realistic (not placeholder values like "0 USD"), the estimated close date is a future date, and the customer need is clearly defined.

Details and Key Actions

I. AI Product Launches and Integration

A primary focus of the recent announcements is the expansion of AI capabilities across the Microsoft ecosystem, with new offerings for SMBs and enterprises, and the integration of AI into core partner processes.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business for SMBs
To accelerate AI adoption in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) segment, Microsoft has launched a new offering, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, effective December 1, 2025. This product is designed for customers with fewer than 300 users.

•  Pricing and Prerequisites:
  • Price: 21.00 USD per user per month.
  • License Cap: Up to 300 users.
  • Requirement: An active license for Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, or Premium.
• Convenience Bundles: To streamline transactions, three bundles combining the base SKU with Copilot Business are available:
  • Business Basic + Copilot Business: Base SKU price + 21.00 USD.
  • Business Standard + Copilot Business: 30.50 USD per user per month.
  • Business Premium + Copilot Business: 43.00 USD per user per month.
• Co-Pilot Limited-Time Promotions (December 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026): A series of promotions are available to drive adoption during customer renewal conversations. Read more.

Back To Critical Deadlines and Actions

Security Copilot Integration with Microsoft 365 E5
Beginning November 18, 2025, Microsoft Security Copilot is being made available to all Microsoft 365 E5 customers.

• Key Features: The integration includes 12 new Microsoft-built agents across Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Entra, Intune, and Purview to enhance security workflows.
• Rollout: The rollout began on November 18 for existing Security Copilot customers with E5 and will expand to all E5 customers over the following months, with a 30-day advance notice before activation.
• Partner Action: Partners are advised to confirm with customers to prevent duplicated charges, as billing for standalone Security Copilot will stop automatically once it is included in the tenant.

AI Enhancements to Partner Processes

• Partner Center is integrating AI to streamline referral submissions and prepare for future enhancements in skilling.
• Smarter Referral Submissions: Launching in January 2026, the referral submission process in the Partner Center UI will feature AI-driven smart prompts to validate BANT criteria, articulate customer needs, and suggest product names. Phase 1 includes automated checks for:
  • Estimated deal value: Must be realistic.
  • Estimated close date: Must be a future date.
  • Customer need: Must be clearly defined.
• Future-Ready Learning Profiles: Recent enhancements to user learning profiles lay the foundation for future AI-driven features that will provide personalized recommendations for skilling journeys.

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II. Partner Program and Platform Enhancements

Significant updates are being made to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and the Partner Center platform to improve usability, streamline processes, and align specializations with market demand.

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Specialization Updates
Two key Azure specializations have been renamed and their performance requirements revised to better align with their respective business areas.

•   AI Apps on Microsoft Azure (Formerly Build AI Apps with Microsoft Azure): 
  • Performance: The Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) requirement must now be met from an updated set of strategic pillars across Microsoft Foundry, Azure Application Platform services, and Azure Data Platform services. The requirement of $15,000 ACR from each group remains.
• Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub (Formerly Accelerate Developer Productivity with Microsoft Azure):    
  • Performance: The ACR requirement must now be met from a specific set of sub-strategic pillars: Azure DevOps, GitHub Copilot, GitHub Platform, and/or Microsoft Dev Box.    
  • Performance: The Microsoft Sales Experience (MSX) engagement requirement has been removed.

Partner Center Platform and Tooling Improvements

• Launch Enablement Guide: An AI-enhanced, centralized guide is now available to provide consolidated launch updates across CSP and Volume Licensing (VL). This new resource replaces the monthly Partner Launch calendars.
• Enhanced Learning Profiles: As of November 18, 2025, Partner Center users can link multiple Microsoft Learn profiles (both MSA and AAD) to a single account, providing a consolidated view of credentials from all connected accounts with advanced filtering options.
• Mandatory API Field for Co-sell Referrals: Starting January 5, 2026, the Marketplace Intent field will be a mandatory component for all IP co-sell referral submissions made via API and connectors. Accepted values are "Yes," "No," or "Have not decided."

III. Pricing, Licensing, and Commercial Updates

Partners must prepare for significant pricing and licensing changes, including a future price increase for Microsoft 365, ongoing adjustments related to Teams, and new transactional capabilities.

Microsoft 365 Commercial Suite Price Increase (July 2026)

Microsoft has announced a global price update for its commercial Microsoft 365 suites, effective July 1, 2026.

• Impact: The price increase will apply to new and renewing customers after this date. Existing customers will see the new prices at their next renewal post-July 1, 2026.
• Partner Opportunity: This announcement creates a key opportunity for partners to accelerate customer renewals and upgrades before the deadline to lock in current pricing.

Microsoft 365 and Teams Licensing Changes

As of November 1, 2025, changes resulting from an agreement with the European Commission are in effect. This includes the global reintroduction of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 Enterprise suites with Teams, alongside the existing "no Teams" suites. Prices have been updated for the suites without Teams and for the Microsoft Teams Enterprise/EEA standalone offering.

Extended Service Terms (ESTs)

A new capability, Extended Service Terms (ESTs), is being introduced for CSP partners.

• Sandbox Availability: Partners can begin testing ESTs in their sandbox environments as of November 3, 2025, using a specific set of SKUs.
• Future Automation: Beginning April 1, 2026, subscriptions that meet all of the following conditions will automatically be moved into EST at expiration: 
  • Purchased on or after April 1, 2025.
  • Expires on or after April 1, 2026.
  • Auto-renew is set to "off."

NCE Software Price List Improvements
Effective January 1, 2026, the New Commerce Experience (NCE) Software price list will be enhanced with two new columns to improve change tracking:

• ChangeIndicator: Shows "Change" if a row has been updated from the previous month across fields like Product Title, SKU Title, ERP Price, and Unit Price.
• PreviousValues: Shows the previously published value from the prior month for any changed item.

Microsoft Entra Internet Access for GCC

The availability of Microsoft Entra Internet Access for Government Community Cloud (GCC) has been delayed. The product will now be transactable on January 1, 2026.

IV. Security Mandates and Partner Resources

Microsoft is reinforcing security requirements for partners and consolidating resources to improve communication and readiness.

⚠️ Mandatory Security Requirements for CSP Authorization ⚠️

Indirect resellers are urged to strengthen their security posture to maintain their CSP authorization. Annual validation of these requirements will begin in January 2026.

• Key Actions Required:
  • Provide a monitored security contact in Partner Center.
  • 🔒 Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for all in-scope users with admin access 🔑.  
  • Regularly review and limit privileged roles and remove inactive accounts.
• Tools: Partners can track their progress in the Security workspace within Partner Center.

Read More | Back To Critical Deadlines and Actions

Partner Enablement and Community Resources

A variety of resources are available to keep partners informed of program changes:

• Consolidated Launch Content: The partner launch calendars collection provides a single view of all recent and active launches.
• CSP Bimonthly Update Newsletter: Aggregates recent announcements, updates, and reminders.
• Partner Journey Maps: Provide detailed guidance on Microsoft's highest priority transformations.
• CSP Spotlight Webinars: Monthly webinars covering the latest CSP licensing information.
• CSP Community Q&A: A monthly call for partners to ask questions about operational changes in the CSP program.

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