We've carefully selected Microsoft's most significant updates over the last month, making sure you're always up to date.
1. Solutions Partner for Training Services Partner designation update
2. Changes to Microsoft 365 and Teams licensing in Europe beginning on October 1, 2023.
3. New commerce launch and migration timeline for Cloud Solution Provider Government Community Cloud, education, and nonprofit legacy offers
4. Earnings workspace in Partner Center
5. New annual revenue requirement for CSP indirect resellers
6. Introducing Town halls in Microsoft Teams and retiring Microsoft Teams Live Events
Important Dates: New designation available early 2024.
Impacted Audience: Microsoft partners with a focus on training services.
Microsoft introduces the Solutions Partner for Training Services designation, which requires partners to meet specific training performance metrics. Prepare for annual renewals and audits, emphasizing Azure specializations.
Starting from mid-November 2023, partners who are part of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program will have access to their performance reports for the Solutions Partner for Training Services Partner designation in the Partner Center. This will allow partners to assess their performance against the criteria and start working toward earning the designation, which will be fully available in early 2024.
2. Changes to Microsoft 365 and Teams licensing in Europe beginning on October 1, 2023
Important Dates: Changes begin October 1, 2023.
Impacted Audience: CSP Direct Bill Partners, Indirect Resellers, and Providers in Europe.
Licensing updates for Microsoft 365 and Teams in Europe are on the horizon, with new options to purchase Teams independently. Partners should acquaint themselves with the new SKUs.
Effective October 1, 2023, we're offering a new lineup of Microsoft 365, Office 365, and Microsoft Teams SKUs in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. This lineup provides customers with the option of purchasing Teams separately from Microsoft 365 and Office 365. Existing Microsoft 365 E3/E5 and Office 365 E1/E3/E5 suites should no longer be sold to net new customers in the EEA or Switzerland.
3. New commerce launch and migration timeline for Cloud Solution Provider Government Community Cloud, education, and nonprofit legacy offers
Important Dates: Offers launch January 1, 2024; migrations start July 2024.
Impacted Audience: CSP Government, education, and nonprofit sectors.
In July, Microsoft announced that CSP legacy Public Sector offers for Government Community Cloud, education and nonprofit would be available in CSP new commerce in November 2023.
Microsoft will launch CSP public sector offers in the new commerce system starting January 1, 2024. To give partners time to adjust to this change, Microsoft-led migration of public sector offers will begin starting July 1, 2024.
4. Earnings workspace in Partner Center
Important Dates: Effective immediately.
Impacted Audience: Microsoft partners using Partner Center.
Partner Center has introduced an Earnings workspace, enhancing visibility into partners’ financial performance. Expect a more streamlined and faster experience in managing earnings data.
A new Earnings workspace in Partner Center provides partners with a comprehensive view of revenue, usage, earnings, and payments, featuring improved usability and speed.
5. New annual revenue requirement for CSP indirect resellers
Important Dates: Requirement begins April 2024.
Impacted Audience: CSP Indirect Resellers.
A new annual revenue threshold is set for CSP Indirect Resellers to maintain their authorized status. This change aims to stimulate growth and bolster the quality of sales and service among partners.
Beginning April 1, 2024, existing Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) indirect resellers must have a minimum of USD1000 in trailing 12 months (TTM) CSP revenue (including Perpetual Software) at the reseller tenant level in each of the CSP regions in which they sell.
6. Introducing Town halls in Microsoft Teams and retiring Microsoft Teams Live Events
Important Dates: Transition occurs on October 5, 2023.
Impacted Audience: Users of Teams Live Events.
Microsoft Teams is transitioning from Teams Live Events to Town Halls, offering better production capabilities and engagement features for large virtual meetings. Users should plan for this shift to capitalize on the enhanced functionalities.