To stay current with the latest updates happening with Microsoft, one of the leading vendors for our managed service provider (MSP) partners, make sure to register for our monthly Microsoft partner update webcast. Below are the top takeaways from our October update.
Program updates
Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP)
Find out what’s changing in this program for fiscal year 2025:
- Action Pack & Silver/Gold EOL: Starting January 22, 2025, Action Pack and Learning Action Pack will no longer be sold. Legacy silver/gold benefits are not eligible for renewal from this date.
- New benefits: The same day, more than 20 new benefits are being added across MAICPP offerings, including licensing for Microsoft Copilot products, Defender for Endpoint, and GitHub.
Other key dates include:
- January 21, 2025: Partners with legacy benefits can no longer renew. Partners cannot renew prior to this date.
- January 22, 2025: Partners with Action Pack, Learning Action Pack, or legacy silver/gold benefits will no longer be able to purchase or renew these offerings.
- September 30, 2025: A solutions partner designation or specialization will be required from this day forward to earn incentives.
Updates to MAICPP partner benefits
Starting January 22, 2025, partner benefits for this program will comprise the following:
- Partner launch benefits
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no Teams)
- Teams Enterprise
- Entra ID P2
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2
- Power Apps Premium
- Power Automate Premium
- Partner success core benefits
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no Teams)
- Teams Enterprise
- Entra ID P2
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2
- Power Apps Premium
- Power Automate Premium
- Windows Server Standard – per core (2025)
- Windows Server CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Datacenter – per core (2025)
- Partner success expanded benefits
- Copilot for Microsoft 365
- Copilot for Sales
- Copilot for Finance
- Copilot for Service
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no Teams)
- Teams Enterprise
- Entra ID P2
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2
- Power Apps Premium
- Power Automate Premium
- Windows Server Standard – per core (2025)
- Windows Server CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Datacenter – per core (2025)
Updates to Solutions Partner designations and specialization benefits
These include the following:
- Solutions Partner Designation
- Copilot for Microsoft 365
- Copilot for Sales
- Copilot for Finance
- Copilot for Service
- Concierge
- Entra ID P2
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2
- Dynamics 365 Team Members & Finance Premium
- Power Apps Premium
- Windows Server Standard – per core (2025)
- Windows Server CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs (2025)
- Windows Server Datacenter – per core (2025)
- Power Automate Premium and Power Automate Process
- Teams Premium, Teams Enterprise, Teams Room Pro
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium & E5 (no Teams)
- Specializations
- Copilot for Microsoft 365
- Copilot for Sales
- Copilot for Finance
- Copilot for Service
- Copilot for Security (via Azure Credits)
- GitHub Copilot Enterprise (via Azure Credits)
- GitHub Enterprise Metered (via Azure Credits)
- Entra ID P2
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2
- Partner Marketing as a Service
- Teams Enterprise
- Microsoft 365 E3 (no Teams)
- Dynamics 365 Team Members & Finance Premium
- Increase Biz Apps Specialization cap to 3
- Power Apps Premium
- Power Automate Premium and Power Automate Process
- Teams Room Pro
Public sector for NCE
The Microsoft New Commerce Experience for Public Sector products have all been launched and are available for purchase in the Pax8 Marketplace. A 16.67% discount is available for some eligible monthly commitment subscriptions. In addition, legacy incentives will now be made available through March 1, 2025.
Partner to partner transfer tool
Microsoft has recently released the ability for partners to transfer between indirect providers mid-commitment. This tool is currently in the pilot phase, with updates to come for a broader rollout.
The process works in the following way:
- A partner initiates a change of channel by reaching out to their channel account manager asking how to start a transfer, mid-commitment.
- The manager verifies that the partner has already engaged their current indirect provider, and that the provider has verbally approved the partner can transfer to Pax8.
- Once confirmed, the “Microsoft NCE Change of Channel Request” SKU is unlocked.
CSP data quality enhancements
As of now, 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. Failure to complete the verification process in 30 days may result in a failed/rejected state and subject to CSP suspension and offboarding. If suspended, no new orders will be allowed under your MPN ID.
To ensure your CSP enrollment is in good standing, Pax8 recommends your GA regularly checks the Action Center in Partner Center notifications for any important updates. If any changes are being made to Partner Center notifications, be prepared to submit appropriate supporting documentation. If your account is compliant but is not reinstated to an active state, please contact Pax8 support.
Dynamics pricing increase
Effective this month, Microsoft has increased pricing for commercial and government offers. Pricing increases range from $10-$30 per product.
Copilot Reward Program
Pax8 is offering a partner rebate of one month free for every qualifying Copilot license they purchase (a value of $30). Partners must opt in through a registration form, and seats must be purchased on a net-new subscription for a 12-month term. The rebate is valid only for the initial quantity ordered (quantity increases are not eligible).
In addition, Microsoft is offering a 15% off promotion on Copilot through the end of the year with a 10-seat minimum order. Eligible subscriptions will automatically be adjusted in the Pax8 Marketplace to reflect the 15% promotional pricing.
Plus, Pax8 is providing resources through Pax8 Academy, including an editable PowerPoint template to partners who would like to go to market with this offering, access to a Pax8 campaign-in-a-box for M365 Copilot, and access to end-user training, hosted by Microsoft.
Enroll for Pax8 rebates here.
