Event details

Learn how to find, try, and purchase the best solutions for your business. From intelligent discovery to flexible purchasing options, Microsoft Marketplace can help you discover and compare options, access free trials, request private offers, and create purchasing arrangements that fit your unique business requirements. Join us to hear best practices for evaluating offerings and working with partners and sellers throughout the buying process. The right solution should be simple, transparent, and aligned to your organization's needs.

What you'll learn:

  • How intelligent discovery in Microsoft Marketplace helps customers find, evaluate, and choose relevant solutions more efficiently
  • New ways to access free trials, request private offers, and make informed purchasing decisions
  • How custom contract durations for SaaS and professional services private offers provide flexibility, with terms ranging from one month to ten years
  • Best practices for working with partners and sellers to create commercial arrangements that support organization's goals

Who should attend? 

  • Business and technology decision-makers evaluating new solutions for their organization
  • Procurement, sourcing, and purchasing professionals responsible for commercial negotiations
  • IT leaders seeking more efficient ways to discover, assess, and acquire technology solutions
  • Partners and stakeholders involved in solution selection, budgeting, and purchasing decisions

How do I participate?

Registration is not required. Add this event to your calendar, then sign in to the Tech Community and select ‘Attend’ to receive reminders. Post your questions in advance, or any time during the live broadcast.

Related resources 

Pearl-Angeles
Updated Sep 03, 2026

8 Comments

  • Pearl-Angeles's avatar
    Pearl-Angeles
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager

    Thanks for your participation in today's office hours! Sharing the questions covered in the live Q&A, along with associated timestamps: 

    Question – Can you recap what is changing and why? – answered at 15:54.

    Question – Is this available now? – answered at 16:57.

    Question – Are there any limits on how many questions I can ask? – answered at 17:14.

    Question – Is there a limit to how many queries I can put in intelligent discovery? – answered at 17:48.

    Question – Will there be any changes to my existing free trials? – answered at 18:28.

    Question – Will intelligent discovery surface private offers? – answered at 18:50.

    Question – Are private offers easily distinguishable from public? – answered at 19:16.

    Question – How do I find free trials with the search, filters, and badges in Microsoft Marketplace? – answered at 20:50.

    Question – I'm new to Marketplace. What's the process for moving from a free trial to a paid solution? Do I have to reinstall? – answered at 21:35.

    Question – Can I also find my trial status in Azure or the M365 admin center? – answered at 22:21.

    Question – Are my queries in Intelligent Discovery anonymous or are the conversations tracked? – answered at 22:48.

    Question – How many offers can I compare side by side? What criteria can I use to compare? – answered at 23:15.

  • Jon_Sjolie's avatar
    Jon_Sjolie
    Copper Contributor

    if yes why the video promt stating st AKA.ms/MarketplaceSolutions you could simply state that questions should be made on the page with the video vindow

     

    • Heather_Poulsen's avatar
      Heather_Poulsen
      Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager

      Since today's event is also streaming on YouTube, LinkedIn, and X -- and for accessibility -- we have a friendly URL (aka.ms/MarketplaceSolutions) pointing to this page. :) 

    • v-kylecallahan's avatar
      v-kylecallahan
      Iron Contributor

      Hi Jon_Sjolie​ - these events stream live across multiple platforms including YouTube. The aka link shared during each video directs people to the event page here in the Microsoft Tech Community. You are in the right place!

  • Jon_Sjolie's avatar
    Jon_Sjolie
    Copper Contributor

    Is this were comments should be made during the presentation?

     

  • Welcome to Microsoft Marketplace customer office hours! Today, Erin and Sindhu will be starting the presentation soon. Ask questions anytime here in the comments.