Check out the latest updates on what managed service providers (MSPs) and managed intelligence providers (MIPs) need to know about Microsoft in March 2026.
Program Updates
Microsoft AI Partner Program
There are some exciting updates to the Microsoft AI Partner Program that will help partners take advantage of benefits packages and solutions partner designation (SPD):
- Marketing Center Pro and Defender Suite have been added to all partner benefits packages and SPD.
- Entra and Intune Suite have been added to the Partner Success Expanded Benefits Package and Modern Work SPD.
- Monthly Copilot Studio usage credits have been added for Partner Success Expanded Benefits Package and all SPDs.
- Security Copilot has been added to Security SPD benefits.
- Azure bulk credits have been added to all partner benefits packages and SPD.
This means partners get:
- More Azure credits to support solution development and testing — so MIPs can build full-capacity agents.
- Expanded Copilot benefits, including more Microsoft 365 (M365) capacity packs, Copilot Studio access and select Dragon Copilot access.
- Enhanced security offerings, such as Microsoft Defender Suite, Microsoft Entra Suite and Microsoft Intune Suite.
- Access to the new Marketing Partner Center Pro, which uses AI-powered capabilities to help partners find, customize and deploy marketing campaigns more efficiently.
Microsoft Extended Service Terms
Starting April 1, 2026, Microsoft will remove the free grace period for non‑renewed subscriptions. Through this change, Microsoft will launch the Extended Service Term and supporting features, which will apply to license‑based services across all channels and markets.
Pax8 is working to make this transition as seamless as possible for our Marketplace and partners. We’ll share more updates as we approach April 1. As a reminder, by default, Pax8 has auto renew set to “on” for every purchase. If you don’t want to renew, schedule a cancellation for time of renewal or cancel within the seven‑day window post renewal.
Multifactor Authentication Enforcement
Also starting April 1, Microsoft will enforce multifactor authentication (MFA) across all Partner Center APIs to strengthen security across the Partner Center ecosystem. After this date, any API calls made without MFA will be blocked.
All APIs are already MFA‑enabled and ready for testing. Partners should update their systems ahead of the enforcement date to prevent service disruptions.
SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business: Retirement of Standalone Plans
Microsoft is evolving its cloud storage and collaboration portfolio and has announced the retirement of standalone SharePoint Online (SPO) Plan 1 and Plan 2 and OneDrive for Business (ODB) Plan 1 and Plan 2 offerings.
Partners should begin identifying impacted customers and preparing transition plans early. Microsoft is expanding storage options and providing an extended runway to support smooth customer migrations. CloudAscent will be updated by the end of February to help partners pinpoint affected tenants.
Key dates to know are:
- End of sale: June 2026 (no new tenants after May 31; renewals only)
- End of life: January 2027 (no renewals)
- End of service: December 2029 (all standalone plans fully retired)
Updates to Microsoft Specializations
Microsoft has introduced changes to the SAP on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Azure VMware Solution (AVS) specializations that are intended to simplify requirements and broaden partner eligibility.
SAP on Microsoft Azure Specialization updates are:
- Lower ACR requirement: Azure Consumed Revenue threshold decreases from $30,000 to $7,500 over a three‑month period.
- Streamlined skilling validation: Required Microsoft learning coursework can be validated directly in Partner Center, removing the need to include skilling in the third‑party audit.
- Partners can meet skilling requirements either by three individuals passing the Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty certification or by three individuals completing the Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud learning path.
Microsoft Azure VMware Solution (AVS) Specialization updates are:
- The AVS Technical Assessment will no longer be required.
- Broadcom‑related certification requirements previously audited will no longer apply.
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.
AI and Business Solutions Updates
Immersion Briefings: Microsoft Security + Copilot
Pax8 and Tech Plus Talent now offer Microsoft Security Immersion and Copilot Immersion briefings that partners can use to deliver hands‑on training to their customers. These briefings help partners build pipeline and deepen customer trust while showcasing the real‑world applications of these solutions. Sign up here for the Security briefing and here for the Copilot briefing.
SMB AI Success Stack
Microsoft’s SMB AI Success Stack bundles Copilot for Business, Business Premium and the Purview Suite at discounted rates through March 31, with Copilot dropping from $43 to $32, Purview from $10 to $5 and Business Premium add‑ons decreasing from $21 to $18. These limited‑time savings help partners position AI, security and productivity as an affordable, unified upgrade ahead of Microsoft’s broader Modern Work price increases in July.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Updates
As of this month, Microsoft has added a monthly commitment/monthly billing option, with a 20% uplift for Copilot Business and Business + Copilot bundles. All Copilot Business promotions are extended through June 30, 2026, with updated terms and no monthly billing option for promotional pricing. Also, customers can now redeem promotions more than once, allowing added seats mid‑term to receive promo pricing for the full 12‑month period.
CSP Promotional Offers
Available through March 31, 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-seat minimum.
- Business Premium + Copilot: $32/user/month (~25% off), 10-seat minimum.
Microsoft AI Optimization Program
Through March 31, 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.
Enroll here through March 31.
Enablement Updates
Updates to Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft is retiring the MS‑900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam March 31 and positioning the new AB‑900: Microsoft Copilot Fundamentals as its recommended replacement. It’s also launching new AI‑focused certification tracks, including AI Business Professional, AI Transformation Leader and Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect, to help partners build skills for an AI‑driven future.
March Partner Enablement Sessions
See our lineup of upcoming events.
Partner Enablement
- March 9: Level Up: MS Security
- March 11: Defender + Purview Suite
- March 16: Security for Nonprofits
- March 18: Microsoft Fabric – Analytics
- March 19: Dynamics Decoded
- March 30: Using Microsoft 365 Copilot in Nonprofit
Hands-on Labs
- 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.
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