Recent Discussions
May 2025 news roundup
Good morning, partners, Don't miss these 4 directional blogs while planning your partner strategy for the upcoming period: All partner types will benefit from the Go-To-Market resources. These benefits go beyond Internal Use Rights and remain underutilized across Africa. The ISV success program holds benefit for AI partners who drive innovation as future-focussed Software Development Companies. Also, review the Geo-Expansion benefit to reach new markets. System Integrators can learn more about the Cloud Accelerate Factory to access zero-cost services from Microsoft. Align with the best practices from Azure Migrate and discover how the Microsoft programs support partners in Azure projects. Join the community for frequent updates. Resellers (CSP Partners) can review updates to CSP offers and authorisations. Use the Azure Marketplace as a transactional engine for your innovation is a scalable way to reach existing and new markets via public or private offers, including one-time deals that may be repeated in future. This is a four-part series. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Move beyond "Contact Me" listings to transactable marketplace services. PS - the Microsoft Build announcements are available at https://news.microsoft.com/build-2025-book-of-news/ Warm regards, James
*Now on Demand* Microsoft Teams Rooms Partner Technical Bootcamp
As the world continues to embrace hybrid work, Microsoft Teams Rooms can help organizations bridge the gap between people working remotely and those in the office with a meeting room solution that allows everyone to be seen, heard, and able to fully participate from anywhere. If you are looking to grow your learnings or want a refresher in managing and monitoring meetings, and certified Teams Rooms devices by using the Microsoft Teams Admin Center, PowerShell, the Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro Management portal, then come join us for the next Microsoft Teams Rooms Partner Technical Bootcamp. We will share knowledge, experience, and resources designed to help partner technical teams learn and develop the organizational capabilities to deploy, configure, and manage Microsoft Teams Rooms. This bootcamp is a technical-focused training event, covering (but not limited to) key technical elements of Teams Rooms: Technical refresher on getting started with Microsoft Teams Rooms Configure, manage, & deploy Teams Rooms and devices Securing your Teams Rooms with Intune and Conditional Access Monitor and manage Teams Rooms and devices in Pro Management Portal Recommended for but not limited to the following roles: • Product managers and category leads • Technical teams and designers • Solutions and support engineers • Technical sales and presales consultants Bonus: Bootcamp content will prepare you to earn the Microsoft Teams Rooms – Technical Solutions Professional 2023 Badge Launched in October 2021, the Microsoft Teams Rooms Technical Solutions Professional Badge is an established indicator of an individual’s technical expertise for hybrid work. The Teams Rooms Parter Technical Bootcamp serves as a learning prerequisite for the proposed 2023 technical badge and attending the bootcamp will help partner individuals pass the exam, required to earn this badge. If you have not already done so, you can register today with ExpertZone and #gogetyour2023salesbadge -- Advanced Support for Partners (ASfP) includes Cloud Consults across Teams, Modern Workplace, and the Microsoft Cloud (Azure, Dynamics 365, Power Platform) to go even further in addressing technical challenges Partners face on a regular basis. Complete this form today to speak with an ASfP specialist about your needs and the other benefits of Advanced Support for Partners.Frustrating support responses - business verification
I've been trying to get my business verified. It's a maddening process and the support "people" don't appear to understand how dates work. I sent our VAT registration document - too old (well it's as old as the company is as you'd expect and couldn't be more proof that it exists legally). So I sent our bank statements for March 2025. I get a response that says that's too old. I ask them to look at it again as it's literally last month. Then I get this response today: "...The document that you have provided is no longer valid since it was issued for the period (01/03/2025 - 31/03/2025). Kindly share with us a more recent document. All documents submitted should be issued within the previous 12 months or where the expiration date is a future date that is at least 2 months away." I'm beyond understanding how they think last month is over 12 months ago. Somebody please help me. Support ID 2503270040004554Join the Fabric Partner Community for the next Fabric Engineering Connection calls!
Are you a Microsoft partner that is interested in data and analytics? Be sure to join us for the next Fabric Engineering Connection call, now offered at two different times! 🎉 Next week's Fabric Engineering Connection calls will include Mirroring Updates from Maraki Ketema and Swetha Mannepalli along with a presentation from Amir H. Jafari on Data Agent Integrations with Power BI Copilot, AI Foundry, and Copilot Studio. The Americas/EMEA Fabric Engineering Connection call will take place Wednesday, May 28, from 8-9 am PDT. The APAC Fabric Engineering Connection call will take place Thursday, May 29, from 1-2 am UTC/Wednesday, May 28, from 5-6 pm PDT. This is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback. To join the call, you must be a member of the Fabric Partner Community Teams channel. To join, complete the participation form at https://aka.ms/JoinFabricPartnerCommunity. We can't wait to see you later this week!
Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant is being discontinued
UPDATED: Microsoft sent affected nonprofit organisations an email similar to the below on Wednesday/Thursday 14/15th May announcing that Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant is being discontinued. A similar message was sent out regarding the end of the Office 365 E1 grant offer. Microsoft have provided the following further information: Partner FAQ: https://partner.microsoft.com/en-AU/asset/collection/microsoft-365-business-premium-and-office-365-e1-grant-discontinuation#/ Partner office hours: ANNOUNCEMENT: Microsoft 365 Business Premium & Office 365 E1 grant discontinuation | Microsoft Community Hub Blog: Transitioning from Microsoft 365 Business Premium to Business Basic: What Nonprofits Need to Know | Microsoft Community Hub A small Canadian-based nonprofit has set up a change.org petition asking Microsoft to reconsider the decision: https://www.change.org/p/urge-microsoft-to-continue-grant-program-for-nonprofits Information about the difference between Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium can be found here: Visual: https://m365maps.com/files/Microsoft-365-Business-All.htm Checklist: https://m365maps.com/matrix.htm#000111000000000000000FY26 incentive payout change
Hope Microsoft can clarify this statement for the new FY26 incentives guides. As Microsoft will introduce an incentive payout change for partners that perform a change of channel (COCP). Does this mean, eg.; if a Direct Bill partner transitions towards becoming a Indirect Reseller, will they lose all incentives (as it's basically a COCP from Direct Bill to Distributor)? For how long are these incentives withhold? For both the Disti and the new Indirect Reseller? All customers? Other example; a Indirect Reseller transitioning from Disti x to Disti Y. Will they again lose all incentives? Both the Disti(s) and the Reseller? How long, all customers, etc.? Last example; a customer transitioning from Indirect Reseller / Direct Bill partner x to Indirect Reseller / Direct Bill partner y. Will the Indirect Reseller (and Disti(?)) / Direct Bill partner lose incentives of this customer? This would have massive impacts in the market and would render the CSP Transfer Request basically capability obsolete, as no Direct Bill or Indirect Reseller would ever change COCP anymore due to loosing incentives. Cheers, MartijnMicrosoft's Verification and Support System
Microsoft's verification and support system is absolutely appalling. Despite providing every piece of required information for my company, their system continues to reject my verification attempts. I've gone above and beyond by paying extra to create additional email accounts in the format email address removed for privacy reasons. I've submitted QR-coded invoices officially verified by government authorities. Our WHOIS data is current and accurate. My name matches perfectly across all documentation and our DUNS number is correct. Yet, I keep receiving the same frustrating response: "This is because the primary contact details did not match." When I reach out through their official support channels, it takes them five days just to respond. It's been two months now, and I'm still waiting for approval just to register. It's absurd that such a large company maintains such a disastrous system. All they need to do is verify real users directly without relying on AI algorithms. They're so focused on automating everything with artificial intelligence that they've created a dysfunctional process. Despite all their technology, humans still remain superior at handling these verification tasks, yet Microsoft seems determined to automate a process they haven't properly designed.
Modifying Plan Minimum Number of Users for Private Offers
Hi, I’m curious to know if there are any plans to allow ISVs to modify the Minimum Users/Seats when creating a private offer, even if that value differs from the limits defined in the corresponding public plan. At present, it appears private offers must stay within the min/max seat range configured in the public plan. However, there are strategic opportunities where we may need to override the minimum user count (e.g., to accommodate a smaller pilot or proof of concept for a large customer). Thanks, TimExclusive Event for Resellers Only - June 17th in Zürich
We’re bringing together the brightest minds in security, cloud, and AI to explore “Security & Cloud Adoption: The Swiss SMB Opportunity”. This is your chance to unlock actionable strategies for growth in a competitive landscape, directly from Microsoft and Pax8 experts. 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2025 📍 Location: Microsoft Office @ The Circle, Flughafen CH, Zürich, 8058 🕛 Time: 12:00 – 16:00 CEST Register now! Swiss SMBs are ready for cloud & AI – but they need trusted partners to guide them through security and adoption. At this event, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Navigate the cloud journey for SMBs with confidence ✅ Position yourself as a trusted security advisor ✅ Build a profitable AI services portfolio with Copilot and Microsoft technologies ✅ Leverage insights from the latest Microsoft Digital Defense Report What’s On the Agenda: 12:00 – Lunch & Networking 13:00 – Welcome 13:15 – SMB AI Opportunity 14:00 – Security Insights 15:00 – Data Loss Prevention Demo 15:15 – Monetize AI 15:45 – Wrap-Up & Q&A Meet the Speakers: Calin Turcanu, GM SME&C, Microsoft Harald Nuij, CEO, Pax8 EMEA Andy Readman, AI Director, Pax8 Academy Marcel Weber, Lead Security, Microsoft Tom Welton, Solution Consultant, Pax8 Martin Janisch, Partner Tech Strategist, Microsoft 🌐 Resellers Only | In-Person Networking | Actionable Insights 🎟️ Seats are limited – Register now! Don’t miss the opportunity to lead the SMB transformation with the right mix of Cloud, AI, and Security. #MicrosoftPartners #Pax8 #MSPartner #CloudSecurity #Azure #CloudAdoption #SwissSMBCSP potential customer on MCA multitant/ shareholding
Hello, Thank you for the opportunity to write about this. We have a request where a customer would like to implement Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations on a multi-tenant basis. However, there are now the challenges that the customer wants to map several holdings of his company network in his productive environments. Is this a license violation if the customer includes company holdings from his company network, as shown in the diagram? In my opinion, it is clear from the MCA that the customer cannot license company A in his tenant under CSP in the case of minority shareholdings. Is this correct? AS employees of companies B and C provide services for company A, the customer would like a one- tenant solution Is it possible to reach an agreement with Microsoft for this company construct without concluding an EA? Thank you!New FY26 incentive guidelines
Hope someone can share some insights on this, as Microsoft is publishing conflicting messages. Starting October, Microsoft will change the incentive requirements for partners. In the announcement it is stated that partners will earn incentives if they have 25 points in EACH solution area. Source: May 2025 announcements - Partner Center announcements | Microsoft Learn In other presentations published, it stated 25 points in a SPECIFIC solutions area. Source: Microsoft Commerce Incentive Resources Conflicting messages from Microsoft, so which is it? The nuance is a big difference for partners. I'd assume the latter is correct. Also note that the incentives will be split further between solution areas. And note the increased thresholds for Direct Bill partners. Cheers, Martijn
Azure Consumption / Microsoft CSP Maximum Earning
Hi Everyone, We're working through our Microsoft focused sales plan, and I have a couple of questions around the Maximum earning potential for each of these incentive programmes. CSP NCE Maximum incentive earning opportunity = $93,750. Maximum earning opportunity per customer tenant ID, per product group, per lever, per partner Does this mean that per any given customer transacting with us as an indirect reseller, can earn upto $93,750 or is this a per partner limit where our entire business can only earn upto $93,750? Azure Consumption Maximum incentive earning opportunity = $80k USD Maximum Earning Opportunities at per engagement term, per partner, per subscription level Same question as above, is this a limit for our entire company or per any given subscription for any given customer? Thanks for your help!Requirement: Users with administrative roles in the customer tenants must use MFA
I have 4 customers who are showing as not meeting this requirement, I know one of the 4 that we're working with the customer to resolve but the other 3 I cannot for the life of me locate. The majority of our customers we are the sole admin so they are easy but when I click on Insights I get: No. of Admins with MFA enabled. No of Users With MFA Enabled. No of Users (this appears to includ blocked\disabled and maybe guests?) I can't actually tell which tenant has an Admin with MFA not enabled from this data if they have more than one user with a privlidged role. So I created a spreadsheet and went through each tenant and within Entra I looked at their Identity Security Score and one of the requirements within their score is: Ensure multifactor authentication is enabled for all users in administrative roles And besides the one customer I know of who has an 8/10 score, all my other customers have a 10/10 score. I've gone through each customer that I am aware of that could have more than one user with an admin role and any that were transferred to us from another CSP and looked at the Role assignments in Entra and I just cannot locate these remaining 3. I'm stuck at at an overall Security Score of 71.43% becuase i can't get any of the 20 points for this requirements until its 100% complete. What we really need is an additional column in the insights "No. of Admins" so we can at least identify the offending clients as without GDAP access to the customer I would not be able to look at any of the Role assignments or the tenant Identity Security Score and not even be aware of who is bringing me undone with the information provided. I'm going to go through ALL customers again for the third time looking at role assignments for any that might have been missed on the first 2 passes I did, I might even get someone other than me to do it with fresh eyes but its pretty easy to locate as you can sort by the No. of Users assigned to the role so I can't see how I've missed it. We really just need the tools to manage and audit ourselves e.g. that extra column, would make this a < 5 minute job to audit ourselves against this requirement and also I do beleive in this requirement is an important one, i'm not against it, it just needs to be managable\maintainable.Do you need admin privilege to purchase on AppSource?
Hi Community, We are an ISV and publish Apps on AppSource. I’ve always assumed that anyone with a valid email and credit card could purchase a product through AppSource. The requirements on this Microsoft page seem to support that: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/purchase-software-appsource However, I recently discovered that only Microsoft 365 admins can access order details in the Admin Center. For example, clicking on your badge in AppSource, View all orders in Admin Center, redirects you to this link: https://admin.microsoft.com/Adminportal/Home#/subscriptions/apps But if your account isn’t an admin, you’ll see this message: Switch to an account that has permission Your account (xxxxxx) doesn’t have permission to view or manage this page in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This is confusing. If any user can initiate a purchase, why can’t they view or manage their orders? And if only admins are meant to complete or manage purchases, why is the checkout process open to all users? Would appreciate any clarification or official guidance on this. Thanks!Microsoft Vetting
I have been stuck on Employment verification for a little while now. I was asked to upload confirming documents on April 23rd and nothing has been done since. I submitted a ticket and they keep repeating the same things that I have already completed. Is there a way to get some assistance with this please? TrackingID#2505060040011964
Clarification on process to set up as direct bill CSP in another geographic region.
We are currently a Tier 1 direct bill CSP partner in the US. We have created a business entity in the British Virgin Islands with the aim of transacting CSP in the LATAM region. I am a bit stuck in the process of getting this set up, hoping someone here who has gone through it can help provide a sanity check. I have a ticket open with Microsoft but they've literally been ignoring my requests for update for a full week as of today. So far we've set up the BVI business entity and linked it to our main MPN in Partner Center as a new location. The tenant has been created in the BVI as well for the entity. It is my understanding we next need to enroll this new entity as a partner here. When I fill the form I am getting errors the name already exists, even though it's a new entity.
Events
Description: This session will show how SaaS accelerator project can help partners go to market quicker by accelerating creating the technical implementation to publish their transactable SaaS offers...
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Description: In this session we will review the required technical configurations to make Virtual Machine apps and how to publish virtual machines offers to the Azure marketplace.
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Recent Blogs
- 1 MIN READWe’re proud to collaborate with visionary partners who are shaping the future of innovation. Microsoft’s Innovators In Action series spotlights tech entrepreneurs who are members of a Microsoft Par...May 22, 2025
- 1 MIN READThe Title Plan uploaded on May 20, 2025, contained a few discrepancies, which have since been resolved and are now reflected in the current version.May 21, 2025
