{"id":6608,"date":"2026-07-13T19:15:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pax8.com\/blog\/?p=6608"},"modified":"2026-07-13T19:15:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:15:36","slug":"microsoft-update-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pax8.com\/blog\/microsoft-update-july-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Pax8 and Microsoft Updates for July 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Program Updates<\/h2>\n

Microsoft Pricing Changes Take Effect<\/h3>\n

Effective July 1, Microsoft has updated global pricing and packaging updates for Microsoft 365 commercial suites<\/strong>. Pricing has increased across select Enterprise, Business, Frontline, and standalone SKUs, with changes applying to new customers immediately and to existing customers at their next renewal.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Microsoft has added enhanced capabilities at no additional cost<\/strong>, including expanded Copilot Chat experiences, strengthened security protections like Microsoft Defender for Office, and improved IT management through Intune and related services.<\/p>\n

Read the full announcement here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New Process to Redeem Cloud Benefits<\/h3>\n

Microsoft has updated how partners redeem license\u2011based cloud benefits. They’re now activated through a guided experience in Partner Center using a $0 purchase flow, replacing key-based redemption. Benefits are tied to the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) billing account used to purchase partner benefits and can only be redeemed on tenants under that account.<\/p>\n

In addition, benefit expiration is now aligned to your partner benefits package end date, not the date you redeem each benefit, and the 30\u2011day grace period has been removed. There\u2019s no change to the benefits themselves.<\/p>\n

MCAPS Start for Partners Takes Place July 22<\/h3>\n

On\u202fJuly 22, Microsoft is holding MCAPS Start for Partners, a no-cost, digital event designed to give you the earliest, most direct view of where Microsoft is investing and what that means for partners. Expect candid sessions covering Microsoft\u2019s FY27 priorities, including Frontier Transformation and the move from AI pilots to scalable delivery, plus practical growth paths across co-sell, Microsoft Marketplace, incentives, and skilling.<\/p>\n

Register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Promotions and Offers<\/h3>\n

Current promotions include:<\/p>\n

Microsoft 365 Business Basic plus Copilot Business<\/strong>: 25% off one-year term (maximum 300 seats, expires Dec. 31, 2026)<\/p>\n

Microsoft Copilot Business<\/strong>: 15% off one-year term (maximum 300 seats, expires Dec. 31, 2026)<\/p>\n

Purview Suite for Business Premium<\/strong>: 50% off one-year term (first-time purchase only, expires Dec. 31, 2026)<\/p>\n

E7<\/strong>: 10% off one-year term (10-seat minimum, 9,999-seat maximum, first-time purchase only, expires Dec. 31, 2026)<\/p>\n

July Enablement Update<\/h2>\n

Microsoft 365 Copilot Sales<\/h3>\n

A new course aims to get partners ready to pitch Copilot 365 to small and medium-sized business (SMB) clients. The 5.5-hour, on-demand course helps sales professionals and sales managers articulate the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot for SMBs, learn best practices, understand CSP licensing models, and master objection handling. Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

July Partner Enablement Sessions<\/h3>\n

See our lineup of upcoming events.<\/p>\n

Partner Enablement<\/strong><\/p>\n