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 - [02/2024]

Section 1: Pricing and Offer Updates

March Price List Update

• Date: March 01, 2024
• Overview: The updated DEPR prices for legacy license-based offerings across several key currencies (EUR, GBP, DKK, SEK, and NOK) signify our commitment to maintaining competitive market positioning. This update ensures that partners can offer the most cost-effective solutions to their customers, adapting to the economic landscapes of different regions.

NCE Price List Preview Anomaly Alert

• Date: March 01, 2024
• Overview: It was identified unexpected false positives in the NCE license-based price list preview for March. This anomaly affects partners operating in countries or regions where Forex (FX) rate changes do not impact pricing. The Microsoft disclosure and resolution of these discrepancies underscore their dedication to pricing accuracy and transparency.

Section 2: Product and Service Launches

Copilot for Sales and Service & Microsoft 365 EDU

• Date: March 01, 2024
• Overview: The launch of Copilot for Sales and Service, along with Copilot for Microsoft 365 for EDU customers, through CSP partners marks a significant expansion of the product portfolio. These offerings are designed to enhance productivity and collaboration, providing partners with innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of their customers. This initiative not only opens new transaction avenues but also reinforces Microsoft's commitment to the education sector.

Azure Reserved Instances Pricing Streamlining

• Date: June 1, 2024
• Overview: The integration of Azure Reserved Instances pricing into the new commerce Azure plan reservations price list is a strategic move towards simplifying and standardizing the pricing structure. By consolidating pricing lists, Microsoft aims to streamline the purchasing process for our partners, facilitating easier invoice reconciliation and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Section 3: Security and Compliance

Partner Ecosystem Security Enhancement

• Date: February 15, 2024
• Overview: In response to the increasing cyber threats facing the industry, Microsoft is rolling out significant security updates to strengthen the security posture across our partner ecosystem. These updates include advanced protection measures and compliance tools, ensuring that partners and their customers are better protected against potential cyberattacks. This initiative reflects Microsoft's unwavering commitment to security and our proactive approach to risk management.

Section 4: Technical Updates

Microsoft Teams Toll-Free Numbers Support

• Date: February 07, 2024
• Overview: The New Commerce Experience (NCE) now supports the acquisition of toll-free numbers for Microsoft Teams. This enhancement addresses a critical communication need, allowing partners to offer their customers more flexible and cost-effective options for audio conferencing, auto attendants, and call queues. This update is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enrich the Microsoft Teams ecosystem with features that support dynamic business environments.

Asynchronous APIs for Efficient Data Management

• Date: February 02, 2024
• Overview: The general availability of asynchronous APIs for daily rated usage data represents a significant technical advancement in how partners access and manage billing and reconciliation data. By facilitating faster and more efficient data retrieval processes, these APIs enable partners to improve their operational workflows and offer better service levels to their customers. 

Section 5: Policy and Procedure

Introducing End of Sale with Conversions

• Date: February 01, 2024
• Overview: The introduction of the end of sale with conversions state allows partners to navigate product transitions more seamlessly. This new state enables upgrades to selected product/SKU/terms destinations that are no longer available for new purchase but are available for conversion, offering our partners greater flexibility and simplifying the management of offer portfolios. This change is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enhance partner experiences and adapt to market needs.