Pax8 and Microsoft Updates for February 2026

Grow your business, Microsoft

February 6, 2026

Pax8

Check out the latest updates on what managed service providers (MSPs) and managed intelligence providers (MIPs) need to know about Microsoft.

Program Updates

The latest updates to Microsoft’s CSP partner program are now live. They include:

CSP requirements: Partners must complete business vetting, meet revenue thresholds and achieve Solutions Partner designation or capability points.
Partner of Record (POR): Partners must use their Partner Location ID (PLA) for Pax8 orders. Self-service PLA validation is now live in the Pax8 Marketplace.
Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA): All customers must sign the latest MCA via partner attestation API or direct acceptance.

Commerce Incentives for FY26

Microsoft’s FY26 Commerce Incentives continue to reward partners for strategic growth across Modern Work, Business Applications and Azure:

Core rates:
- Azure Consumption Incentive: 3%
- Modern Work and Security: 3.75%
- Business Applications: 4%
Customer Add Accelerators: New 7.5% accelerators for Modern Workspace and Business Applications.
CSP Growth Accelerator: 7.5% for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, E5, CPT, Business Applications and Azure.
Global Strategic Product Accelerator (Tier 1): Microsoft 365 Business Premium and E3 enhanced from 3%–4%.
Global Strategic Product Accelerator (Tier 1): Finance and Supply Chain at 7%.
GSP Tier 2: E5, Copilot and Business Central: 7–8%, depending on SKU.
PSTN Calling and Conferencing Accelerator: 20% (global).
Workload Accelerator (Data and App Innovation, Analytics + AI): 7.5% new accelerator.
Azure Reservation: 3%

Microsoft 365 Pricing and Feature Updates

Heads up: Microsoft 365 pricing and features will change as of July 1, 2026. Several of the plans will gain expanded security, management and storage capabilities, reinforcing the value of higher-tier SKUs.

Updates include:

Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $7 (up from $6)
Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $14 (up from $12.50)
- Will now include Defender: SafeLinks Lite and +50GB Exchange Online storage
Microsoft Business Premium: no change ($22 per user, per month for annual commitment, paid annually)
- +50GB Exchange Online storage
Microsoft 365 E3: $39 (up from $36). Will now include:
- Intune: remote help, advanced analytics, Intune P2
- Defender: protection against email/collab threats
- Windows: quick machine recovery, point-in-time restore, cloud rebuild, autopatch update readiness
Microsoft 365 E5: $60 (up from $57). Will now include:
- The new Microsoft 365 E3 capabilities listed above
- Security Copilot
- Purview: browser data loss prevention
- Intune: cloud PKI, endpoint privilege management, enterprise application management

Promotions and Offers

Partners can take advantage of multiple active promotions happening now. Please take note that offers will expire later this year, depending on the date. Current promotions include:

Microsoft 365 E3 and E5: 10% off three-year terms, first-time purchases only (expires June 30, 2026)
Microsoft 365 E5: 15% off one-year term, first-time purchases only (expires June 30, 2026)
Microsoft 365 Copilot: 15% off one-year term, new M365 Copilot customers with qualified pre-req SKUs (minimum 10 seats, maximum 300 seats) only (expires June 30, 2026)
Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Business: Up to 15–35% off select bundles through March 31, 2026
Purview and Defender Suite: 10% off net price for three-year contracts, first-time purchases only (expires July 1, 2026)
Purview Suite for Business Premium: 50% off one-year term, first-time purchases only (expires March 31, 2026)

See FAQs for each linked above for more information.

Enablement Resources

See our lineup of upcoming sessions and hands-on labs.

Partner Enablement Sessions

February 9: MS Security #3
February 11: Copilot Monitoring & Insights
February 16: MS Security #4
February 18: Microsoft Fabric – Analytics
February 19: Dynamics Decoded
March 4: Copilot Overview
March 9: Level Up: MS Security
March 16: MS Security #5
March 19: Dynamics Decoded
March 18: Microsoft Fabric – Analytics
March 30: Using Microsoft 365 Copilot in Nonprofit

Hands-on Labs

February 10: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Admin
February 12: Azure – Get Started
February 17: Mitigating Threats using Purview
March 3: Copilot Practice Building Program
March 5: Foundry – AI Agents
March 10: Mitigating Threats Using Defender
March 12: Azure Virtual Desktop
March 17: Copilot Agents
March 19: Securing Microsoft 365 Before Implementing Copilot

Pax8 Events

June 7–9: Beyond 2026 (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Follow all of our events here.

AI Business Solutions for Nonprofits

Microsoft is offering Microsoft Purview and Defender bundles at special pricing so nonprofits can take advantage of everything they have to offer.

The Microsoft Purview bundle gives organizations of all sizes effective data protection that removes silos while ensuring data security, and intelligent tooling for more efficient data and regulatory compliance, helping safeguard Microsoft 365 Copilot data. Nonprofit pricing is helping organizations save about 85% per Purview suite, compared with purchasing individual add-ons separately. This enables affordable end-to-end data security and compliance, while helping organizations utilize generative AI while meeting regulatory requirements.

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Defender suite offers extended protection and creates integrated security, while intelligent tooling supports more efficient device and application compliance, helping organizations safeguard their data across endpoints and cloud. The Defender suite is also offered at about 85% off for nonprofit clients, compared with buying individual solutions in the bundle.

CSP Promotional Offers

Available through March 31, 2026, these promotions are available to boost Copilot business growth.

Copilot Business: $18/user/month (~15% off), no seat minimum.
Business Standard + Copilot: $22/user/month (~35% off), 10–300 seats.
Business Premium + Copilot: $32/user/month (~25% off), 10–300 seats.

Microsoft AI Optimization Program

Through March 31, 2026, Pax8 partners who enroll in the Microsoft AI Optimization Program are eligible to earn tiered rebates for selling Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Microsoft 365 Copilot Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot Nonprofit. Terms and conditions apply. This Pax8 program offers rewards to partners dependent on the number of Copilot licenses sold. Sign up and find out more here.

Pax8 + Zensai Customer Enablement Promo

To help you unlock your clients’ potential, Zensai offers an AI-powered Human Success Platform that combines learning, engagement and performance management. It can integrate directly into Microsoft 365, including Teams, SharePoint, Outlook and Copilot.

Pax8 partners who sell a net-new subscription of more than 10 licenses of Copilot Business, Copilot for Nonprofit or Copilot Business Premium Bundle licenses are eligible to get the same amount of licenses of Zensai free for a year for their clients. Please note, Zensai is an annual commitment, billed monthly.

You can enroll in the program following net-new subscription purchases of qualifying products. This promotion runs through March 31, 2026, so act fast!