Microsoft CSP Partner Program Updates - October & Early November 2024
Microsoft CSP Partner Program Podcast Updates October 2024
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Important Actions for Partners
- MFA requirements for Azure portal
Beginning in October 2024, Microsoft will require multifactor authentication (MFA) for all users signing into the Azure portal. Check the latest updates and timeline for more details.
Coming Soon
- Removal of unused Azure subscriptions
Starting November 2024, Microsoft will begin blocking and eventually deleting unused Azure subscriptions. Subscriptions with no activity or consumption for over 12 months are considered unused. Account owners and service admins will receive a notification 30 days before the block, and the subscription will be deleted 90 days after the block. Learn more about unused subscriptions.
- Security requirements API - Upcoming release of the Security Requirements API, gives partners direct access to essential security compliance data. Beta version is available now for preview.
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The market estimates that a third of cloud marketplace business will flow through resellers. Microsoft ecosystem of more than 400,000 partners, can help you sell more, together. Multiparty private offers are now available to customers in the United Kingdom and Canada, in addition to those in the United States. You can productize your offerings and enable co-selleing, learn about the co-sell program: https://www.thewinningcsp.com/microsoft-co-sell-program-faq/
Early November 2024 announcements
Partner Center API Enhancements:
Offer Lifecycle State Visibility: Partners can now retrieve offer lifecycle state (GA, end of sale, etc.) via catalog APIs, starting November 5, 2024. This applies to new commerce license-based offers.
Improved SaaS Fulfillment API Error Messages: More intuitive error messages for ChangePlan and ChangeQuantity operations will be available from November 8, 2024. "As part of this update, there's no change in the existing API contracts."Azure M-series VM Autofit Ratio Changes:
Effective December 6, 2024, autofit ratios for Reserved Instances (RIs) for M-series VMs will be adjusted to "optimize reservation discount within instance size flexibility groups and their respective SKUs."
These changes aim to improve resource utilization and efficiency for M-series VMs. Partners are encouraged to review the provided resource for detailed information.Discounted Microsoft 365 Copilot for Nonprofits:
Eligible nonprofit customers can access a 15% discount on Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing the price down to $25.50 per user per month for annual subscriptions.
This discount is available globally through the CSP channel, exclusively on New Commerce Experience (NCE).
Existing customers will receive the discounted price upon renewal after November 1, 2024.
October Annoucements - Key Updates & Benefits:
- Enhanced Price Transparency for NCE License-Based Services: Partners can plan their pricing strategies without unexpected changes, as there will be no preview price list published for December NCE license-based services.
- Access to Latest Software Versions and Updated Pricing: New updates to Windows Server and RDS provide enhanced capabilities with an updated price list, ensuring partners have the latest tools at competitive prices.
- System Center 2025 Release with Subscription Licensing: With a 10% price increase, System Center 2025 offers advanced security, automation, and centralized management for modern data center infrastructure.
- Microsoft Places Launch for Flexible Workspace Management: Microsoft Places, an AI-powered app, enhances collaboration and hybrid work, allowing organizations to optimize in-office days and manage spaces efficiently.
- Error Correction on October Pricing for M365 E5 SKUs in Europe: Accurate pricing ensures partners and clients avoid unintentional discounts, helping stabilize cost structures.
- HP Anyware Now for Windows 365: Partners can leverage HP Anyware for enhanced PC over IP (PCoIP) capabilities in Windows 365, ensuring a secure, high-definition, responsive experience.
- Monthly Partner Ecosystem Security Update: Critical actions like enforced MFA on Azure and unused Azure subscription removals strengthen security and align with compliance standards.
- Partner Center AI Assistant (Preview): An integrated AI assistant improves workflow efficiency by providing instant insights, intelligent suggestions, and easy support options for CSP partners.
- Expanded Access to Extended Security Update (ESU) SKUs: New SKUs available in October provide enhanced options for security support, especially beneficial for clients needing extended protection.
- CSP Monthly Updates & Community Resources: A consolidated source for the latest updates, offering partners valuable insights, a structured view of launches, and community support through Q&A sessions.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot Self-Service Purchase: Self-service for Microsoft 365 Copilot provides end users streamlined access, enabling quicker adoption of AI-powered productivity tools and sending valuable demand signals for further integration.
- Enhanced Partner Center Sandbox Activity Monitoring: New activity logs and webhook events help improve visibility into customer subscription statuses, allowing for proactive management and service adjustments.
- System Center 2025 Launch & New Pricing Model: Modernized infrastructure management features and a new licensing model offer improved support and alignment with Windows Server 2025, with enhanced security and virtualization support.
- Store Service Fee Discount for Renewals: A 50% fee discount on private offer renewals offers substantial savings for clients, especially those migrating agreements to the commercial marketplace.
Maximize Co-Sell Programs: Tap into Microsoft’s Sales Team
Microsoft Co-Sell0:00/8281× Maximize Co-Sell Programs: Participate in Microsoft’s Co-Sell program to tap into joint selling opportunities with Microsoft’s sales teams. The Microsoft partner ecosystem offers vast potential. However, finding the right growth path within this network can be challenging. This post simplifies the Microsoft Co-Sell program and
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Detailed Breakdown - October Announcements:
- November Price List Update for NCE License-Based Services
- Starting November 1, 2024, CSP partners will not receive a preview price list for December's NCE license-based services. This pause means no changes in December’s price list, allowing CSP partners more stable pricing without needing a monthly preview.
- New Software Versions Available and Price Adjustments
- The latest versions of Windows Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Windows Server products become available with a November 1 price update. Partners can now offer these improved software versions, which support modern management and security features to their customers, at an adjusted rate reflecting their enhanced value.
- Read more about the software price list.
- System Center 2025 General Availability and Pricing Model
- System Center 2025 introduces advanced monitoring, automation, and configuration management for data centers and will be available on a subscription basis, aligning with a 10% price increase over previous versions. Highlights include:
- Support for Azure Stack HCI clusters, streamlined management across heterogeneous infrastructure.
- Enhanced Data Protection Manager (DPM) with Azure Key Vault integration, vTPM support, and extended compatibility with SharePoint and Windows Server 2025.
- Simplified licensing aligned with Windows Server 2025, supporting a comprehensive approach to server management.
- Read more in this blog post.
- Microsoft Places Launch for Flexible Workplaces by End of 2024
- Microsoft Places, an AI-driven app supporting flexible workplace management, will soon be available. Key features include coordinating in-office days, scheduling in-person meetings, and managing space utilization. Enhanced functionality (e.g., Places finder, team guidance, space analytics) is accessible through a Teams Premium license, providing tailored support for hybrid work setups.
- Resources
- Corrected Pricing for Microsoft 365 E5 in October
- Microsoft corrected price discrepancies for the October license-based price list in the Europe region, specifically for Microsoft 365 A3, A5, and E5 SKUs, ensuring consistency for partners and their clients.
October 2024 announcements - Partner Center announcements
October 2024 announcements for Microsoft Partner Center including new capabilities, promotions, offers, markets, or changes to existing offers.
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- HP Anyware for Windows 365 Now Available
- This integration offers PC over IP (PCoIP) to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, allowing for high-definition, secure experiences for graphics-intensive applications. Key benefits include:
- Simplified Cloud PC access via the Anyware Manager Enterprise.
- Dynamic adaptation to network conditions for uninterrupted user performance.
- New capabilities for IT admins managing Cloud PCs and physical endpoints in a unified Intune-managed environment.
- Read more https://aka.ms/HPAnywareForWindows365GA
- Security Update for Partners in CSP Program
- To improve security within the CSP ecosystem, Microsoft enforces MFA for Azure portal access, with more security API features on the way. Additionally, Microsoft will remove Azure subscriptions inactive for over 12 months, notifying subscription owners in advance to prevent unintended disruption.
- Partner Center AI Assistant (Preview) Launch
- The Partner Center AI assistant, now available in the English version of Partner Center, leverages generative AI to assist partners. The assistant offers tailored support by analyzing product documentation, partner guides, and Partner Center data. This tool streamlines support requests, with features to enable seamless partner support through conversation-based insights.
- Extended Security Update (ESU) SKUs Added to Software Price List
- Date & Audience: Effective October 8, 2024, for all CSP partners using software price lists across various markets.
- Description: Additional ESU SKUs were published to the October software price list, giving partners and clients added options to enhance and extend security support as needed for their environments.
Strategic Positioning: How a Simple Image Change Boosted Market Share by 18%
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- October CSP Monthly Updates & Community Resources
- Date & Audience: Published on October 8, 2024, for CSP direct-bill and indirect providers.
- Benefits:
- Access to the updated partner launch calendars and CSP Bimonthly Update newsletter, giving a comprehensive view of essential updates, program changes, and events.
- Journey Maps and spotlight webinars help CSP partners stay informed on licensing and program developments.
- Community Q&A sessions each month provide partners a chance to engage directly with Microsoft, clarify concerns, and ask program-related questions.
- Self-Service Purchase Options for Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Date & Audience: Available from October 7, 2024, to Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium users.
- Benefits:
- End users can now purchase Microsoft 365 Copilot directly, providing them with the flexibility to quickly access AI-driven tools to enhance productivity.
- Streamlines IT management by allowing end users to make purchases independently while providing visibility to admins.
- Usage and demand data from these purchases can be valuable for clients looking to develop and refine AI adoption strategies.
- Admin Monitoring: Self-service purchases will be automatically displayed in the Microsoft 365 admin center, although partner notifications are not yet available in Lighthouse.
- New Activity Log and Webhook Events in Partner Center Sandbox
- Date & Audience: Launched on October 7, 2024, for all global CSP partners.
- Benefits:
- Partners can now monitor Subscription Pending, Subscription Active, and Subscription Renewed statuses within the Sandbox environment, enhancing tracking for customer subscriptions.
- Partners can register for webhook notifications for real-time updates, enabling more proactive management of client subscriptions.
Test and debug with integration sandbox - Partner app developer
Learn how to use your Partner Center integration sandbox account (and related tokens) to test and debug your code so you don’t accidentally incur new charges.
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- System Center 2025 Launch and Updated Pricing
- Date & Audience: General availability begins November 1, 2024, for CSP partners globally.
- Key Features:
- Enhanced support for managing Azure Stack hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) clusters, which allows for seamless cross-platform control.
- Improved security measures and integration with Azure Key Vault for better data protection.
- Support for Arc-enabled Windows Server 2025 capabilities, including Hotpatching and lifecycle operations for SCVMM-managed VMs in client datacenters.
- Pricing: A new pricing model with a 10% increase from System Center 2022, which supports ongoing improvements while keeping the licensing model consistent with previous releases.
October 2024 announcements - Partner Center announcements
October 2024 announcements for Microsoft Partner Center including new capabilities, promotions, offers, markets, or changes to existing offers.
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- 50% Store Service Fee Discount for Private Offer Renewals
- Date & Audience: Effective from October 1, 2024, for partners in the commercial marketplace.
- Benefit: Partners can receive a 50% discount on store service fees for private offer renewals, which apply to both migrated agreements and current private offers. This discount can be activated through self-attestation during the private offer creation process, making renewals more cost-effective.
Microsoft CSP October 2024 announcements
Microsoft CSP Partner Program Updates - September 2024
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Microsoft CSP Partner Program Updates - August 2024
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