Welcome to our Microsoft Monthly Update for May, where we ensure you’re kept in the loop with the latest Microsoft changes so that you and your clients continue to thrive in the coming months. Sign up for our monthly live webcast to get even more in-depth information about our unique partnership and everything it offers managed service provider (MSP) partners.
Program updates
Navigating the Legacy to NCE Migration
As we approach the mid-point of the year, it’s crucial to touch base on the ongoing Cloud Service Provider (CSP) migration from Legacy to the New Commerce Experience (NCE) that began in January.
Remember, this critical transition happens at your subscription renewal date and requires action 48 hours prior. You’ll have a seven-day modification window for changes or cancellations.
Key points to remember:
- Migrations to annual commitments maintain existing billing terms.
- Linked subscriptions migrate together, ensuring coherence and simplicity.
- Manual migration pathways exist for some subscriptions that don’t automatically transfer.
We urge partners to proactively manage their migrations within the Pax8 Marketplace, utilizing our tools to align with the equivalent NCE offerings.
We encourage our partners to self-migrate their legacy CSP clients to NCE in the Pax8 Marketplace by navigating to the Legacy subscription and clicking “Upgrade.” Read more about upgrading to NCE.
Public sector offers on NCE
We’ve seen four waves of public sector products transition to NCE:
- March 1, 2024: Waves 1 and 2
- April 1, 2024: Wave 3
- May 1, 2024: Wave 4
- July 1, 2024: Microsoft-led migrations from Legacy to NCE will begin for public sector products.
On May 1, new subscription purchases for available public sector products must be on NCE. By July 1, Microsoft-led migrations from Legacy to NCE will begin for public sector products.
Promotional offers available for public sector clients on NCE with a monthly commitment and monthly billing include 16.7% off (which waives the 20% premium) for up to a 10-month duration (with Dec. 31, 2024, being the last day it’s offered).
To stay updated, don’t miss our NCE updates blog, detailing the journey and offering insights into the latest changes.
Microsoft Customer Agreement updates
Microsoft recently updated the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA). Clients that accepted prior to April 1, 2023, will need to review and accept new terms. (Partners that established a client under these terms after April 1, 2023, will not need to do anything.)
We will notify partners in the upcoming months if we believe an MCA needs to be re-accepted and will give instructions on how to do so within the Pax8 Marketplace.
SMB paths for Azure partner designations
Microsoft has announced the upcoming release of small and medium-sized business (SMB) paths for its three Azure partner designations: Data & AI, Digital App & Innovation, and Infrastructure. This gives partners who serve smaller businesses access to more resources, support, and advisory benefits that come with these designations. These paths will be released in the fiscal year 2025, and more information should be forthcoming soon.
CSP NCE subscription transfers
Microsoft has announced that sometime between April and June, partners will be able to transfer their NCE subscriptions between indirect providers (IP) and direct bill (DB) partners. Transfers must be approved by the current IP/DB and the new IP/DB. If either does not accept the transfer 30 days after the first request, it will not be executed. If a transfer is made mid-term, this will not open a seven-day modification window, and the subscription will keep the same terms and end date.
Pax8 will keep partners informed on how this process can be utilized within the Pax8 Marketplace. And for further education, make sure to explore our Microsoft hub at Pax8 Academy (you must be signed in as a partner to access this resource).
AI readiness
Adopting a practical strategy for AI
The AI revolution is here and gaining rapid popularity. However, only 29% of businesses have an AI adoption strategy in place. At Pax8, we’re ready to help you develop a comprehensive AI strategy encompassing everything from helpful tools to cloud migration to user training and data governance.
Adopting an AI strategy is a critical step for businesses that want to leverage the latest technology to gain a competitive edge. It starts with a clear set of AI principles, which Pax8 helps businesses define and implement. We provide the necessary consulting to foresee the outcomes of AI integration and equip businesses with the tools and knowledge they need for successful adoption. This includes transitioning services to the cloud, optimizing software licenses, and training users to ensure they’re equipped to manage and benefit from new AI capabilities.
Transformation strategy is the next phase, focusing on safeguarding data with unified security measures, managing identities and access efficiently, and handling data with precision. Our role is to facilitate this process, providing Professional Services that support businesses in initiating pilot projects, which build the foundation for wider AI adoption. By monitoring the performance of AI solutions and offering guidance on scaling services, Pax8 ensures businesses not only adopt AI but also optimize it to drive growth and innovation.
Navigating through Copilot changes
Microsoft’s Copilot for M365 has expanded its reach with increased seat availability and new data security measures for SharePoint. As your trusted advisor, Pax8 is committed to supporting you through these changes, offering resources from educational content on our YouTube channel. You can also tap into your regional AI enablement and events in North America, UK, EMEA, and APAC.
The art and science of prompting
Prompts are how you ask Copilot for Microsoft 365 to do something for you — such as creating, summarizing, editing, or transforming. Creating a great prompt is like having a conversation with an assistant, where you use plain language and provide context to get your desired outcome.
Here are three steps to improve your and your clients’ experience in Copilot:
- Tell Copilot what you need
This can include tasks such as “What is [Project X] and who are the key stakeholders working on it?” or “Transform this FAQ into a 10-slide onboarding guide.” - Include the right prompt ingredients
To get the best response, focus on elements such as your goal, the context of the project or task, what information sources Copilot should use, and expectations for Copilot (e.g., “Use simple language when summarizing this information so I can get up to speed quickly.”). - Keep the conversation going
Following up on your prompts helps you collaborate with Copilot to gain more useful, tailored responses. For example, you can lead with a broad content request, then give more specific details to drill down further on what it has provided you.
Looking ahead to June
As we conclude this month’s Pax8 Microsoft Update, consider every piece of information and each innovation as another tool at your disposal. Our mission at Pax8 is to empower you to tackle new Microsoft opportunities head-on.
Make sure to catch our upcoming June briefing, where we’ll unpack these updates further and lay out concrete strategies for growth. Register now to be part of our dynamic community and take a proactive step towards your next business achievements.
