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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.
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Microsoft Updates - [12/2024]
NCE License-Based Preview Price List Displays False Positives
Partners may see false positives on the New Commerce Experience (NCE) license-based price list preview for countries/regions not affected by Forex (FX) rate changes. Accurate changes apply to British Pound (GBP) and Brazilian Real (BRL) prices for February 2025.
- Date of Announcement: December 31, 2024
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025
- Workspace: Pricing
- Impacted Audience: Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners globally
Summary
False positives may appear in NCE price lists for regions without FX changes. Accurate updates are limited to GBP and BRL.
Next Steps
Learn more about NCE capabilities in the New Commerce Experience for License-Based Services.
Microsoft 365 E5 Accelerate 15% Promotion Launches
Microsoft introduces a 15% discount on Microsoft 365 E5 annual subscriptions for eligible new-to-offer customers.
- Date of Announcement: December 20, 2024
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025
- Workspace: General
- Impacted Audience: All CSP partners transacting Microsoft 365
Summary
The promotion offers a 15% discount on Microsoft 365 E5 subscriptions to help CSP partners grow their Microsoft 365 practices.
Next Steps
- Review the Global Promo Readiness Guide in January.
- Access the Transaction Guide and Offer FAQ.
- Attend CSP Level Up Trainings to refine your strategy.
Monthly Update: Secure the Partner Ecosystem
Microsoft introduces critical security updates, including mandatory MFA, unused Azure subscription cleanup, and API token deprecation.
- Date of Announcement: December 16, 2024
- Effective Date: Various (e.g., MFA enforcement begins February 3, 2025)
- Workspace: General
- Impacted Audience: Direct-bill partners, indirect providers, and resellers in the CSP program
Summary
Microsoft enhances security posture with new measures, including MFA enforcement, removal of unused Azure subscriptions, and updated API requirements.
Next Steps
- Review the Zero Trust Channel Journey Map.
- Use the latest Security Training Resources.
Billing Reconciliation API Migration
Partners must migrate to asynchronous APIs for billing reconciliation by January 21, 2025, to avoid service disruption.
- Date of Announcement: December 16, 2024
- Effective Date: January 21, 2025
- Workspace: Billing, APIs
- Impacted Audience: CSP direct-bill partners and indirect providers using billing APIs
Summary
Migration to asynchronous APIs is mandatory for billing reconciliation. Failure to migrate will result in service disruptions.
Next Steps
- Review the Migration Guide.
- Register for CSP Technical Training Sessions.
- Share this update within your organization.
Additional Updates
Microsoft releases updates for the Partner Center Technical Corner blog and AI Cloud Partner Program, highlighting new tools, incentives, and specializations.
- Date of Announcement: December 10, 2024
- Effective Date: Ongoing (various updates for 2025)
- Workspace: General, Membership
- Impacted Audience: All CSP partners and members of the AI Cloud Partner Program
Summary
Key updates include the Partner Center AI Assistant, improved billing APIs, new partner program incentives, and specialization threshold adjustments.
Next Steps
- Visit the Partner Launch Calendar.
- Register for CSP Community Q&A Calls.
- Explore the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program resources.
Important links
https://assetsprod.microsoft.com/mpn/en-us/yearly-partner-giving-guidance.pdf
https://aka.ms/turn-off-yearly-giving-instructions
https://aka.ms/YearlyGivingCalculationAcceleratorGuide
