It’s been quite the year! To stay current with all things Microsoft in 2025, be sure to register for our monthly Microsoft partner update webcast. Below are the top takeaways from our last update in 2024.
About Pax8 Voyager Alliance
Pax8 is proud to launch our partner program that represents a significant evolution in how we serve our partners. With Voyager Alliance, we’re introducing a sophisticated framework that aligns our services with each partner’s unique trajectory, delivering targeted benefits based on their scale, objectives, and growth stage.
This partnership includes:
- Tailored tiers with personalized enablement, education, and support
- Access to the award-winning Pax8 Marketplace
- Entry into best-in-class education with Pax8 Academy
- Digital badging, swag, and premium experiences at events like Pax8 Beyond
Each tier unlocks a carefully curated set of benefits and incentives designed for that specific level of business maturity. Your placement in the program’s five-tier structure is determined by your monthly Pax8 spend. For specific questions about this program, reach out to your Pax8 representative.
Program updates
Partner to partner transfer tool available now
Microsoft has recently unveiled the ability for partners to transfer between indirect providers mid-commitment. This means partners no longer need to wait until renewal or the end of their commitment to move within the channel. And partners looking to make a change partners no longer need to request the SKU to begin the process; they can find it in the Pax8 Marketplace.
CSP data quality enhancements
There are some policy changes CSP enrollments partners should be aware of to ensure your CSP enrollment is in good standing and avoid a Microsoft audit. Please be aware that any changes made to Partner Center information will trigger a verification process for data validation. Partners will be notified of the verification process in the Global Admin Action Center in Partner Center, and failure to complete the verification process in 30 days may result in CSP suspension/offboarding.
Pax8 recommends your GA regularly checks the Action Center in Partner Center Notifications for any important updates. If you have any questions, please contact Microsoft support directly, as Pax8 will not be able to support due to compliance reasons set by Microsoft.
Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program updates
Jan. 21, 2025, is the last day to purchase or renew legacy Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits. Benefits renewed on or before this date will be active for 12 months after their renewal date.
As of September 30, 2025, partners with silver and gold benefits will stop receiving incentives. To earn partner incentives and rebates after that date, you’ll need to attain a Solutions Partner designation or specialization.
New benefits packages announced in January 2024 will apply automatically on Jan. 22, 2025. See the MAICPP Benefits Guide for updates.
FY25 Microsoft Commerce Incentives (MCI)
Microsoft updated their MCI incentives earning percentages effective Oct. 1, 2024. These new earnings will be in place through Sept. 30, 2025. You can earn these incentives by achieving silver or gold or solution partner designation.
The changes are as follows:
- GSP Tier 1 (Business Premium, M365 E3) at 5-6%
- GSP Tier 1 (Finance & Supply Chain) at 7.5%
- GSP Tier 2 (M365 E5, Copilot, Business Central) at 10%
Securing the partner ecosystem
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required for all Azure users in the Azure portal effective as of October. Without it, users won’t be able to access the Azure Portal. To get assistance with setting up MFA, you’ll need to open a Microsoft support ticket.
In addition, Microsoft will block and delete unused Azure subscriptions. A subscription is considered unused when there’s no activity or consumption for more than 12 months. The subscription will be deleted 90 days after the block.
Microsoft/Office 365 changes
Microsoft is now requiring Teams to be purchased separately from all enterprise purchases of Microsoft SKUs for net-new purchases. Renewals will still be allowed, and Business, Frontline, Non-Profit, Education, and Government accounts will not be impacted.
Dynamics pricing increase
As a reminder, a pricing increase on Dynamics has gone into effect globally. New prices will take effect at the time of new purchase or renewal. Learn more via Microsoft.
Microsoft virtual training days
Microsoft offers a number of free virtual training and certification days for partners, across different languages and time zones. See the entire list of training days via Microsoft.
Copilot updates
Pricing updates
Copilot for Microsoft 365 at nonprofit pricing is now available to purchase through the CSP program for qualified nonprofits in the Pax8 Marketplace. This offer is available at an annual upfront payment with a one-year commitment.
If you have a nonprofit customer who has not previously registered with Microsoft, please check their eligibility criteria.
In addition, Microsoft has announced flexible billing options for Copilot as well as a price increase for Microsoft products. As of Dec. 1, 2024, a monthly billing option for annual subscriptions of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot for Sales, and Copilot for Service are now available. This annual, paid monthly pricing option is priced 5% higher than paying annually, while there’s no changes to annually paid pricing.
Finally, Microsoft is standardizing all annual paid monthly pricing and implementing a price increase of 5% across all new and renewing annual paid monthly SKUs. This will take effect Apr. 1, 2025.
Pax8 Copilot rewards
Take note of all the rewards you can leverage as a Pax8 partner transacting on the Pax8 Marketplace, including:
- Pax8 Partner rebate: Partners will receive one month free for every qualifying Copilot license purchased (a value of $30). Seats must be purchased on a net-new subscription for a 12-month term, and the rebate is only valid for the initial quantity ordered (quantity increases are not eligible). Enroll in the Copilot Rewards Program now.
- Microsoft promotion: Microsoft is offering a direct 15% promotion through Dec. 31, 2024 for any 10-seat minimum order. Eligible subscriptions will automatically be adjusted in the Pax8 Marketplace to reflect the 15% promotional pricing.
- Partner-led Professional Services offering: Pax8 provides resources through the Pax8 Academy for partners who would like to offer Pax8 Professional Services, including an editable PowerPoint template, access to a Pax8 campaign in a box for Copilot for Microsoft 365, and access to end-user training hosted by Microsoft.
Don’t miss our next webcast
Thanks for all you’ve done in 2024, and we can’t wait to share all the new updates with you in the new year. See you in 2025!
