Our partners and customers are constantly innovating to keep pace with rapid market shifts and technological advancements. As part of this accelerated journey, they often face challenges such as sprawling systems, siloed teams, and technical debt. To address these issues, a unified platform is essential.

With Microsoft’s investment in Azure Arc, we believe Azure is the solution. Azure Arc crosses the boundaries of hybrid, multicloud, edge, and IoT, offering the next level of modularity, integration, and simplicity through the adaptive cloud approach.

The adaptive cloud approach

The adaptive cloud approach unifies siloed teams, distributed sites, and sprawling systems into a single operations, security, application, and data model. This enables organizations to leverage cloud-native and AI technologies across hybrid, multicloud, edge, and IoT environments. By shifting from a reactive posture to proactive evolution, businesses can anticipate and act upon changes in market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements ahead of time, optimizing resource usage and mitigating risks before they manifest.

The momentum we have with Azure Arc is building, with hundreds of partners and thousands of customers in the Americas leveraging it as a profitable path from SPLA. For example, Microsoft partner Rackspace has successfully implemented the adaptive cloud approach, resulting in significant savings of $40 million in total cost of ownership. Read more about the Rackspace success story.

Why now—upcoming SPLA price increase

Microsoft has released price changes for the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) program. As part of the announcement, licensing prices are changing for the following products, effective January 1, 2025.

Get started—explore modernization paths from SPLA with the adaptive cloud

We’re here to help you maximize the value of your investment and continue to be the bridge to secure AI innovation for your customers.

We encourage you to reach out to the Microsoft Datacenter Optimization (DCO) team to explore how the adaptive cloud can benefit your organization. The DCO team is ready to assist you in navigating this transition from SPLA and exploring paths as a Cloud Solution Provider or Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA). Here is a summary of the paths you can consider:

We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to helping you achieve new heights with the adaptive cloud.

Additional resources

• Tune in to the Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast.
• Learn more about how to innovate on an adaptive cloud.
• Visit Arc Jumpstart to try Azure Arc.
• Read the blog Advancing hybrid cloud to adaptive cloud with Azure.

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.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2

The next wave of Copilot innovation is here, bringing together web + work + Pages as a new design system for knowledge work. Read this blog to learn about the exciting new announcements that deliver unmatched value to our customers across Modern Work and Business Applications.

And join us on September 25 for a Special Edition Americas Partner Insider Call on Modern Work and Copilot. Our industry insiders will share the latest product announcements, CSP and getting-started offers, and guidance on how to drive Copilot customer success. Register today.

Partner Audience: #CSP
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #ModernWork

Copilot for Microsoft 365 promo

Microsoft recently announced a special promotional offer focused on Copilot for Microsoft 365, available to CSP partners globally.

Microsoft is providing a 15% discount off the Partner Net Price for 10 to 300 seat purchases of Copilot for Microsoft 365, for customers that already have a qualifying subscription during the promotional period.

North America

LATAM

This promotion is valid for eligible customer transactions now through December 31, 2024, on annual subscriptions. Learn more.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

October 2 Americas Partner Insider Call

Register now to learn about partner training and certification resources designed to help you build the skills you need today—and the expertise to achieve more tomorrow. Then, go on an expert-led deep dive into Copilot licensing for partners.

See the list of previous sessions, now available to watch on demand.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #SuccessStory #GrowYourBiz #LearnSolutionAreas #Azure #CrossSolution

No Slides Attached podcast—Season 2 kicks off September 25

After an incredible first season of No Slides Attached: AI stories with Microsoft Partners, we’re back with Season 2! Look for Episode 1 tomorrow, when we’ll begin to dive even deeper into the world of AI and industry innovation.

In No Slides Attached, we explore the latest technologies with expert guidance from Microsoft leaders and partners. Season 1 focused on how our Copilots are already transforming businesses—now, we’re building on that momentum, to bring an industry lens.

Real Stories, Real Success. Tune in and subscribe today, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #DoingBizwMSFT #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution #Azure #Security

Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast—inspiring stories and innovative solutions

In the Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners podcast we explore the latest opportunities to enhance your profitability and prepare for the future with AI. Each episode features an inspiring story from industry peers and innovative solutions for scaling your business profitably. Listen to the latest episode and check for more coming soon!

Subscribe today to listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts:
YouTube* | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | RSS

*With subtitles in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

No Slides Attached podcast—Episode 6 coming September 4

No Slides Attached: AI Stories with Microsoft Partners is an exciting new podcast series featuring meaningful conversations that combine the expertise of Microsoft leaders and inspiring stories from our partners.

Check out the Season 1 schedule and look for the release tomorrow of Episode 6, featuring Microsoft partner GigXR. Meital Winer, a Partner Marketing Lead focused on AI, discusses Microsoft’s framework for building or extending Copilots, as well as the potential for partners. Next, Jared Mermey, CEO of GigXR, describes the Copilot built by his company, a holographic technology designed to train medical professionals, and shares his vision for the healthcare industry in the era of AI.

Real Stories, Real Success. Tune in and subscribe today, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #CrossSolution

Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits are evolving

Access the latest Microsoft Cloud and AI innovation with evolved partner benefits. Read this blog by Julie Sanford, Vice President, Partner GTM, Programs & Operations, to learn about the what, why, and when—and why it should matter to you.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #Tech #Deadline #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

Take this Skillsoft survey for a chance to win

How have certifications impacted your career? Earning more? Working smarter (not harder)? Take Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary survey to share how certifications have impacted your professional trajectory. Complete the survey by September 13 for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

The transformation journey: a recap

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced some exciting news about our strategic transformation journey with partners. For key highlights, including details on the latest partner benefits packages within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, read this blog by Wendy Ireland, Americas Partner Transformation Lead.

Microsoft Build: Attend live in Seattle or online

How will AI shape your future? Join us at Microsoft Build on May 21–23, in person in Seattle or online. Be among the first to hear about announcements and product updates. Find solutions, meet with industry experts, and get your questions answered. Grow and differentiate your skillset through hands-on demos and breakout sessions. Learn more and register today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners #AllRoles
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #Azure

New Azure SMB paths to Solutions Partner designations coming soon!

One of the most exciting things that happened at our Americas AI and Cloud MSP Partner Summit last month was the announcement of Microsoft’s continued investment in SMB with new SMB paths for Azure and Security Solutions Partner designations. This means more access to products, go-to-market resources, support, and training, as well as offers and incentives to help you grow your business. Read this blog to learn more.

Partner Audience: #Services #MSP #AllRoles
Relevant to: #GoToMarket #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Celebrating our MSP Community—Key takeaways from the Summit

Last month we held an Americas AI and Cloud MSP Partner Summit at our Microsoft Corporate Campus in Redmond. If you weren’t able to attend, here are some key takeaways from Erwin Visser, GM CSP Americas, and Jose Gomez Cueto, GM SMB, on ways to build your practice and understand your SMB customers.

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.

CSP Masters Sales Bootcamp: Copilot for Microsoft 365
New Dates

Learn about Copilot for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, and AI-powered collaboration and security value in Microsoft 365. Open to all partners, this bootcamp will focus on helping you build a practice and land your first sale with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Upcoming dates include:

April 10, 2024
PST/PDT

April 17, 2024
IST

Register today!

See the Partner Enablement News blog for more training opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #GrowYourBiz #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Updates to simplification and alignment in Marketplace Rewards

To help drive simplicity, make it easier for you to access benefits, and support co-selling through the marketplace, we’ve made several changes to Marketplace Rewards. Check out this blog post for details on the updates.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate #UnderstandBenefits #CrossSolution

Maximize your cloud hosting strategy in 2024: Success stories from our partners

The Datacenter Optimization team (DCO) at Microsoft is dedicated to helping partners supplement their on-premises business and benefit from the cloud. Partners that join the DCO program get access to incentives, resources, and guidance curated to their specific business and technology needs. Read this blog for testimonials from two partners that successfully shifted their business to the Azure cloud.

Microsoft AI Cloud Summit for SMB Partners

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 8:00 AM – Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 12:00 PM PT
Where: Redmond, Washington, United States

The MSP Summit is an opportunity for Managed Service Providers to connect, in person, with Microsoft SMB and Partner stakeholders, meet partners in the Microsoft ecosystem, explore new technology solutions for scaling your business, and learn best practices from partners who have successfully implemented solutions with their customers.

Learn more and register here.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #DoingBizwMSFT #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution

2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award nominations now open

Each year we celebrate our extraordinary partner community through the Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards. These awards acknowledge outstanding successes and innovations by partners in over 100 countries and across a wide range of categories, solution areas, industries, business transformation, and social impact.

Nominations are open until 6:00 PM PT on April 3.

Learn more about the Partner of the Year Awards and start your nomination here.

You’re also encouraged to attend the one-hour webinar Step by step for a successful nomination. Register today!

March 12, 2024 (Português)
March 12, 2024 (Español)
March 14, 2024 (English)
March 18, 2024 (Français)

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #UnderstandBenefits #ProgramOfferUpdate #CrossSolution

New partner benefits packages meet you where you are

Three new purpose-built benefits packages are now available to meet the varied needs of our partners and to help you take your business to the next level. Learn more in this blog by Julie Sanford, VP Partner GTM, Programs & Experiences.

Check out the Compare Offers page for details on each new package.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #LearnSolutionAreas #DoingBizwMSFT #CrossSolution

Seize the AI opportunity with Copilot for Microsoft 365 in CSP

In this era of AI, Microsoft partners have the unique opportunity to build value-added solutions that will have a direct impact on the growth and success of their customers—not just across IT, but across all lines of business.

Read this new blog by Erwin Visser, General Manager of the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) strategy and GTM for Microsoft Americas, to discover how you can seize the full potential of AI with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Mark your calendar for the next Americas Partner Insider Call on March 6 at 10:00 AM PT

Vince Menzione, CEO of Ultimate Partner and host of the Ultimate Guide to Partnering podcast, will share how to thrive and survive as the Ultimate Partner in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Register today!

The event will be held in English, with closed captions in Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners #CSP #ServicesPartners #MSP
Relevant to: #Event #GrowYourBiz #CrossSolution

Are you looking for resources and guidance to help you grow your managed services practice?

We’ve got you covered. First, attend our February 27, 2024, Managed Services Provider (MSP) Community Call. You’ll learn about Lighthouse 365 multi-tenant management and propensity list creation tools.

Register here.

This event is delivered in English, with closed captioning in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Next, jump into the conversation in our newly launched MSP Community for Americas partners (in English). We invite you to share your ideas and engage with other partners. We want to hear about your experiences talking to customers about their cloud solutions, navigating the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, and building solutions. And our Microsoft Americas MSP experts will keep you informed about resources from Microsoft to help you along the way. See you in the community!

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #UnderstandBenefits #ProgramOfferUpdate #CrossSolution

Expanded opportunity for partners: Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available to transact through CSP

As of January 16, 2024, Copilot for Microsoft 365 became generally available across all sales channels including Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) new commerce.

This step expands access to more customers and creates more opportunities for the partners who serve them. Hear what partners are saying and find out how you can get started in this blog from Nicole Dezen. Learn more on how to transact Microsoft 365 Copilot in this Partner Center announcement.

Partner Audience: Services partners
Relevant to: #ProgramOfferUpdate, #GoToMarket, #Azure

In the face of changing market conditions and pressure to accelerate growth while reducing costs, the ability for customers to do more with less is critical. While the cloud has long been the north star for realizing efficiencies and accelerating innovation, we understand that these benefits also need to happen outside of the cloud.

Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server allows customers to build new cloud-native applications on any infrastructure, in their on-premises environments, and across other public clouds. This enables customers to make the most of their legacy applications, with the flexibility to innovate quickly and save on costs.

Switch to pay-as-you-go (PAYG), a cloud billing model for all SQL workloads, and reduce your SPLA costs

If you’re a Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) partner, offering SQL Server to customers and using the Core licensing model, keep reading to learn more on the cost-savings opportunity to follow! We’re excited to provide partners and customers with a new consumption-based, cloud billing model that provides flexibility to innovate quickly and save on costs versus SPLA. With pay-as-you-go billing on SQL Server, you can benefit from flexibility, improved cost efficiencies, and support for multicloud and hybrid deployments with consistent billing for your entire SQL environment, no matter where they reside. If you have customers on SPLA with SQL, shifting to Azure Arc for billing versus the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program can save up to 30%!¹

Bring Azure Innovation to SQL Servers anywhere

With Azure Arc, customers can unlock more robust functionalities:

• • Manage their entire SQL estate in the Azure portal and leverage SQL Best Practice Analyzer to automatically evaluate SQL Server environments for performance, scalability, and business continuity, all at no additional cost.
  • With Azure Arc, SQL Server customers will have Purview access policies readily available for those on-premises environments to centralize insights and governance across their entire data estate.
  • We also enabled Microsoft Defender for Cloud for SQL Server. Microsoft Defender enhances the security posture of a customer’s SQL Server environments, no matter where they reside. Your SQL Server 2022 customers will also be able to benefit from single sign-on (SSO) with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to secure identities.

Innovate anywhere with Azure Arc today

With Azure Arc, your SQL Server customers will be able to maximize the value of their investments with technology that allows them to do more with less.

To learn more and get started, reach out to the Microsoft Datacenter Optimization (DCO) team today!

Additional resources

• • Podcast: Microsoft Cloud Hosting Partners
  • Webinar recording: Azure Arc Opportunity: Meeting customers where they’re at
  • Microsoft Learn: Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server
  • Billing model and how to Manage, secure, and govern your SQL Server estate from Azure
  • Pricing for SQL Server 2022 and the new pay-as-you go options
  • More about Azure Arc-enabled data services

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.

¹You can achieve up to 30 percent in incentive earning opportunities in CSP by combining Partner Earned Credit; Modern Commerce Incentive; New Customer Add Incentive. Eligibility rules apply. See https://partnerincentives.microsoft.com/ for more information on available incentives.