Microsoft recently announced some exciting news about our strategic transformation journey with partners. To follow are some of the key highlights I want to share with you.

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

We’ve launched three new partner benefits packages within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program that will unlock key product benefits and support services to help you strengthen your business with Microsoft. Even if you have Solutions Partner Designation benefits, you can purchase one or all of the new packages to receive incremental benefits. Read this blog to learn more and compare offers.

In addition, Microsoft partners that develop software can now become a Solutions Partner with certified software for a specific industry AI or solution area—enabling those partners to differentiate their solutions to both customers and sellers, facilitating faster time to value, accelerated product revenue, and increased customer and partner satisfaction. As of February 1, 2024, you can see the requirements and your performance against those requirements in a new dashboard in Partner Center. We don’t have general availability timing yet but will share an update very soon. In the meantime, you can learn more here.

Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program

Copilot for Microsoft 365
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now generally available across all channels, including CSP. Commercial customers with Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Office 365 E3/E5, and Microsoft 365 Business Standard/Business Premium prerequisite base SKUs will be able to purchase the Copilot for Microsoft 365 add-on SKU across all sales channels. Read this Partner Center announcement and this blog to learn more.

Securing the Channel
Starting March 2024, Microsoft will enable security defaults on all CSP partner tenants that have not already enabled security defaults, conditional access, or a third-party multifactor authentication (MFA) solution. Partners are advised to turn on security defaults immediately. Learn more in this Partner Center announcement.

Updated timeline for CSP Government Community Cloud, education, and nonprofit legacy offers
As of March 1, 2024, Microsoft began launching Public Sector offers in new commerce across four waves. Learn more in this Partner Center announcement and in this update.

Recommended links for partners

As a Transformation Lead, I wake up every day determined to make the transformation journey easier for you. Over time, I’ve consolidated a list of resources that will provide you quick and easy access to the most helpful information, “Wendy’s Favorite Links for Partners”.

Transformational Changes: Journey maps

Securing the Channel: Journey map | Stay secure with Microsoft | Weekly Office Hours

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program: Journey map | Solutions Partner designations | Operational Readiness

New Commerce Experience: Journey map | Explore the new commerce experience | Operational Readiness | CSP New Commerce Experience Handbook

Marketplace: Journey map | Microsoft commercial marketplace | Operational Readiness | Co-sell Readiness | Sell with Microsoft

Incentives: Partner Incentives

Other Favorites: AI Transformation Partner Playbook | Microsoft Partner Portal | Partner Center documentation | Marketplace documentation | Partner blogs | Partner Center announcements | Operations Readiness | CSP Bimonthly Update | Partner Center support | Partner news

Popular Community Calls: Monthly CSP Community Q&A Call | Monthly CSP Technical Training | Weekly Security Office Hours | Mastering the Marketplace Webinars

All Community Events Listing: Partner Business Operations Webinars

Better together

We’re in this together, winning the hearts and minds of our customers. Thank you for choosing to partner with Microsoft!

Related posts

What’s new for Microsoft Partners: January 2024 edition – Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Join the conversation

Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.