To stay current with all things Microsoft in 2025, be sure to register for our monthly Microsoft partner update webinar. Below are the top takeaways from our March 2025 webinar.
Program Updates
CSP Data Quality Enhancements
Please note: Any changes made to Partner Center information will trigger a verification process for data validation, and Microsoft reserves the right to audit partners and request verification at any time without cause. Failure to complete the verification process in 30 days may result in a failed/rejected state and be subject to CSP suspension and offboarding. If suspended, no new orders will be allowed under your MPN ID.
To ensure your CSP enrollment is in good standing, your global admin should regularly check partner center notifications via the action center. If you have any questions, please contact Microsoft support directly. Pax8 will not be able to support due to compliance reasons set by Microsoft.
Securing the Partner Ecosystem
Please be aware that, as of February, all Microsoft 365 users accessing the Microsoft 365 Admin Center will require multi-factor authentication (MFA). For assistance, please open a support ticket with Microsoft.
Also, to reduce vulnerabilities for fraudulent activity, Microsoft will block usage on subscriptions with no previous activity within the past 12 months. These subscriptions will be deleted 90 days after the block.
Microsoft Product Updates
This month, Microsoft announced it’s retiring Power BI Premium and replacing it with Microsoft Fabric. This means there will be no new sales of Power BI Premium. But Power BI Premium product capabilities won’t change, and if your clients are using it, no immediate action is required. You can continue using your existing Power BI Premium capacity until the time of your next renewal, at which time it won’t renew, and those subscriptions must be migrated to Microsoft Fabric.
For anyone unfamiliar, Microsoft Fabric is an AI-powered analytics platform that unifies data and services, including data analytics, data science and data lakes. It’s designed to accelerate innovation and provide a comprehensive analytics solution for organizations.
In addition, as of January, Pax8 has made available three-year commitment terms for all eligible Dynamics 365 products in our Marketplace. Pax8 offers both upfront and annual billing term options; monthly billing terms are not available for three-year commitments.
Partners who want to take advantage of the Microsoft Bridge to Cloud promotion must still submit a manual request to their Pax8 rep.
Microsoft Pricing Updates
Starting April 1, 2025, Microsoft will implement a 5% price adjustment across all new and renewing annual paid monthly subscriptions. Monthly subscriptions will not be impacted, and the current 20% price adjustment will remain. At the same time, Teams Phone Standard licenses will be priced at $10 per user, per month; with Power BI Pro licenses at $14 per user, per month; and Power BI Premium licenses at $24 per user, per month. Additionally, annual, paid monthly subscriptions will incur a 5% premium at the time of purchase or renewal on top of the price increase.
Promotions and Offers
Current Microsoft promos and offers include the following (see links for details and FAQs):
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- Microsoft 365 Business Premium – 15% off annual term (NAM only)
- Microsoft 365 E3 – 15% off annual term
- Microsoft 365 E5 – 15% off 1-year term
- Office 365 E1 – 60% off annual term (ASEAN)
- Office 365 E1 Plus – 30% off annual term
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 – 15% off annual term
- Dynamics 365 Business Central – 10% off annual term
Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Updates
Microsoft has made some updates to the partner benefits available for purchase to its Microsoft AI Cloud Partners. In addition to marketing benefits available to all tiers, they’re as follows:
Partner Launch Benefits
- M365 Business Premium: five seats
- Azure Credits: $700
- Visual Studio Professional: one subscription
- Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise: four seats
- Dynamics 365 Business Central: four seats
Partner Success Core Benefits
- M365 Business Premium: 15 seats
- Azure Credits: $2,400
- Visual Studio Professional: eight subscriptions
- Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise: 15 seats
- Dynamics 365 Business Central: 15 seats
- Technical Consultation Services: five hours
- Technical Presales: deduct hours
- Signature Cloud Support: two incidents
Partner Success Expanded Benefits
- GTM Toolbox: included
- Concierge: included
- M365 Business Premium: 35 seats
- Azure Credits: $4,000
- Visual Studio Professional: 15 subscriptions
- Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise: 35 seats
- Dynamics 365 Business Central: 35 seats
- Technical Consultation Services: 10 hours
- Technical Presales: unlimited
- Signature Cloud Support: five incidents
While joining the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program unlocks a ton of benefits for MSPs, there’s room to grow from there. Partners should next look toward attaining partner solution designations and earning advanced specialization.
Becoming a partner solution designation unleashes benefits such as the ability to opt into Microsoft Commerce incentives, which offers rebates based on the licensing and subscriptions sold. Achieving a designation is based on performance, skill and customer success metrics, so aiming for growth as a Microsoft partner is key.
The final step on this journey would be homing in on an expertise to become a Microsoft advanced specialized partner. This can cover one or several specific use cases. Microsoft also will help market you once you hit this advanced specialization. Reach out to your Microsoft representative about how to achieve partner solution designation and advanced specialization.
Key licenses partners can use within this program for their internal business purposes include:
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 (Partner Success Expanded Benefits only)
- Copilot for Microsoft 365, Sales, Finance and Service (Partner Success Expanded Benefits only)
- Windows Server (Partner Success Core and Expanded Benefits only)
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no Teams)
- Teams Enterprise
- Defender for Endpoint P2
- Entra ID P2
- Power Apps Premium
- Power Automate Premium
As a reminder, Microsoft has launched SMB Azure Designations for all three offerings: Data & AI, Digital App Innovation and Infrastructure. Partners can achieve an SMB Azure designation by earning a minimum of 70 points across three categories (skilling, customer adds, customer success).
Enablement Updates
Upcoming sessions include:
Copilot Enablement Sessions:
- March 4: Using M365 Copilot in Outlook
- March 17: Using M365 Copilot in PowerPoint
- March 24: Using M365 Copilot in Excel
- March 26: Using M365 Copilot for Nonprofits
- March 31: Using M365 Copilot to enhance sales productivity
Modern Work and Copilot Hands-On Labs:
- March 4: Securing Microsoft 365 before implementing Copilot
- March 25: Microsoft 365 Copilot for Admin
- April 17: Identity Governance with Microsoft Entra
- April 24: Access Management with Microsoft Entra
Azure Hands-On Labs:
- March 6: Threat Detection with XDR
- March 27: Azure Virtual Desktop
- April 3: Azure Migrate
- April 10: Microsoft Fabric
Virtual Azure Bootcamp:
Global Events:
- March 11: Cybersecurity Masterclass – Helsinki
- March 13: Cybersecurity Masterclass – Stockholm
- March 18: Cybersecurity Masterclass – Zwolle
- March 19: Mission Briefing – Manchester
- April 10: UK Launch Briefing – virtual
Join Us Throughout 2025
Stay up to date with all things Microsoft by registering for our monthly webinar series, so you can grow your Microsoft business in 2025 and beyond.
