Microsoft Update for Microsoft Partners

Welcome to our news! 

Have you ever wondered what it is Microsoft has been doing lately? If so, you're in the right place. We've carefully selected Microsoft's most significant updates over the last month, making sure you're always up to date. 

As Microsoft eventually makes changes that directly impact your business, understanding the latest releases can give you a competitive edge. 

Ready to start? 

Microsoft Updates - [03/2024]

1. New Features and Functionalities

Bulk Uploads and Co-sell Opportunities

• Title: Services Co-sell: Bulk Upload Functionality Now Available
• Date: March 26, 2024
• Impacted Audience: Services partners with at least one Solutions Partner designation

Brief Overview: Introduction of a bulk upload functionality in the Referrals workspace for Services co-sell opportunities, aiming to streamline the process for partners. The update facilitates the efficient management of co-sell opportunities through an Excel template that requires three specific columns: Partner role, Solution area, and Solution play.

Partner Center Technical Updates

• Title: Now Live! Partner Center Technical Corner Blog Series: March 2024 Edition
• Date: March 20, 2024
• Impacted Audience: All partners

Brief Overview: The March edition of the Partner Center Technical Corner blog highlights the application of AI in recent Copilot offers and includes a round-up of the latest features, aiming to empower partners with the latest technology advancements and actionable insights.

2. Co-selling and Partner Visibility

Enhancements in Co-selling

• Title: Co-sell for Partners Providing Services: Increase Discoverability with a Strong Business Profile
• Date: March 18, 2024
• Impacted Audience: Services partners with at least one Solutions Partner designation

Brief Overview: Microsoft evolves its co-sell approach for services partners, simplifying the co-selling process. Qualified partners are encouraged to create a modern business profile in the Partner Center to increase their visibility and streamline co-selling engagements with Microsoft.

3. Pricing, Licensing, and Migration

Pricing and Licensing Updates

• Title: New Commerce License-Based Price List and Offer List Matrix Have Been Republished as of March 14
• Date: March 15, 2024
• Impacted Audience: CSP partners (indirect providers and direct bill) in all markets/countries/regions

Brief Overview: Corrections to the new commerce CSP Public Sector price list and offer list, including updates for nonprofit and education pricing SKUs and clarification on the upcoming changes for the April price list.

Migration Support and API Updates

• Title: Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) New Commerce Migration Paths Recently Enabled
• Date: March 14, 2024
• Impacted Audience: CSP direct bill partners and indirect providers

Brief Overview: Introduction of migration support for offers previously limited to manual migration, enabling partners to use Partner Center functionalities and migration APIs for a seamless transition process.

4. Program Updates and Opportunities

Monthly Updates and Community Engagement

• Title: March Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Monthly Updates and Community Reminder
• Date: March 5, 2024
• Impacted Audience: CSP direct bill partners and indirect providers

Brief Overview: Compilation of recent launches and resources to keep partners informed about CSP program updates and engaging them in the CSP community.

Offer Retirement and Promotions

• Title: Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs) Offer Retirement Guide Update Schedule & View the Latest Promotions and Offers
• Date: March 5, 2024 & March 4, 2024
• Impacted Audience: CSP direct bill partners and indirect providers; Partners transacting through the CSP program

Brief Overview: Updates on offer retirements and the availability of the latest promotions to support partner sales strategies. No new retirements for March 2024, with the next update scheduled for April 1, 2024.

Public Sector and Nonprofit Promotions Delay

• Title: New Commerce Public Sector Product SKUs Are Now Available to CSPs in Partner Center & Delay on Nonprofit Promotions for the New Commerce Seat-Based Offers for Public Sector Month-by-Month (M2M) Offers
• Date: March 1, 2024
• Impacted Audience: CSP partners (indirect providers and direct bill) in all markets/countries/regions; CSP partners (Indirect Providers and Direct Bill Partners in all regions)

Brief Overview: Launch of new commerce license-based public sector product SKUs, with corrections to initial errors. Announcement of a delay in nonprofit promotions for new commerce seat-based offers 
for the public sector.

5. Licensing Expansion for SPLA Partners

• Title: Expanded Licensing for SPLA Partners with RDS SALs
• Date: March 1, 2024
• Impacted Audience: SPLA partners

Brief Overview: SPLA partners with eligible RDS SAL licenses are now entitled to access Windows Server on Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop without additional licensing costs, offering more value and 
flexibility for SPLA partners.