Bridge to the Cloud 2 Promo

[axperience_gra]

Dear community

We are still struggling with the best way to buy/get BttC2 Promo for our Dynamics AX customers.

How do you guys get the SKUs when the migration project starts (as soon as customer is involved)? According to the FAQ, the customer can only once buy BttC2 SKUs ("...and is available only to customers that have not previously purchased a cloud version of the product...").

So basically, as from day 1 of the migration project, ALL possible SKUs have to be bought (even though with their bare minimum) because otherwise the customer would lose eligibility? Previously I thought (and I know, other partners are doing it this way) as long as the customer is on active EP, they can get BttC SKUs (so basically one initially for 20 users for the duration of the migration and as soon as they go live with a second order for the rest of the users).

Any inputs welcome on how you guys are handling this.

cheers

Daniel

[#2]

Hi @axperience_gra 

Thank you for posting to the community!

We are still struggling with the best way to buy/get BttC2 Promo for our Dynamics AX customers.  How do you guys get the SKUs when the migration project starts (as soon as customer is involved)? According to the FAQ, the customer can only once buy BttC2 SKUs ("...and is available only to customers that have not previously purchased a cloud version of the product...").  So basically, as from day 1 of the migration project, ALL possible SKUs have to be bought (even though with their bare minimum) because otherwise the customer would lose eligibility? Previously I thought (and I know, other partners are doing it this way) as long as the customer is on active EP, they can get BttC SKUs (so basically one initially for 20 users for the duration of the migration and as soon as they go live with a second order for the rest of the users).  Any inputs welcome on how you guys are handling this.

To make sure that I understand your question: the Microsoft led migration began January 11, 2024.  Therefore, you're asking how this Microsoft-led migration will impact customers who want to apply for the B2C2/ Bridge to Cloud 2 promotion, considering one of the eligibility requirements is that the customer be on premise.

Is my understanding correct?

The following documentation says that Microsoft will migrate legacy commercial license-based subscriptions to new commerce at the end of each subscription's term:

Migrate subscriptions to new commerce - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn

July '23 Partner Center announcement:

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#3]

Dear Concierge
no, that is not at all our requirement. It has nothing to do mit Microsoft-led (or any) NCE migration. Please read again ;). thanks

[#4]

Hi @axperience_gra 

The B2C2 promo is for customers migrating into the cloud, so if you're not asking about migration, would you mind simplifying your question please?

I'm happy to assist 

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#5]

@LicensingConcierge1 I‘ll try.

Customer:

• is on Dynamics AX 2012 productive with 100 users
• starts migrating to D365 (eventually Bridge to the Cloud 2 Promo with 40% off for 36 months)
• is facing a duration of 6-12 months for the migration project (AX2012 to D365) - thus they don‘t need to have *all* user subscriptions from the beginning. Normally only the 20 users minimum to get their own LCS project and environments
• During the majority of the project‘s duration, they neither need any Device, Activity or Team members either - but needed to get the SKUs also from the beginning (terms of the BttC2 Promo)

How can this be achieved with the maximum financial benefit for the customer (40% off for all users for as long as possible)? We thought about getting 20 users for the project duration (full/normal price) and use BttC2 1-2 months before go-live.

Do you get understand my point?

best regards

Daniel

[#6]

@axperience_gra 

It sounds like you have 100 Dynamics AX users to who are migrating into the cloud via the BTTC2 promotion, yet only 20 of the users will be actively using the subscriptions for the initial 6-12mos.

If so, unfortunately, I don't know of a solution for this scenario. I don't show that any action would be taken on the inactive subscriptions, and I'm sure you know that the term for the BTTC2 subscription is 3yrs/36mos, so you'd be paying for 1yr that you're not using.

Is that the correct understanding?

If so, unless someone else has a suggestion that would work for you, I can only suggest that you submit a support ticket in Partner Center. You may be able to reach out to your local ROC and ask them, but I have a feeling that they'll direct you back to the BTTC2 FAQ & Policy, but you can give it a try. 

As a last resort, you can opt for the advanced support plans for one-on-one assistance. 

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#7]

Support Ticket in Partner Center is probably a waste of time as you mentioned since they will redirect us anywhere.
I'll try our ASfP contact - I was hoping some other partner shared their knowledge/best practice here with me (but I know that many partners are doing stuff that is not meant to happen in CSP (but technically not blocked by Microsoft) - so I understand why they are not speaking out loud)
cheers
Daniel

[#8]

@axperience_gra 

Oh, I actually said that your local ROC may re-direct  you since their role is to determine eligibility and not to provide solutions for different scenarios.  But again, you may want to give it a shot. 

As mentioned, I can only suggest that you purchase all of the BTTC2 subscriptions, then exercise dual use access for the users that need to remain on-prem for the initial 6-12 months:

If that suggestion doesn't work, perhaps someone else will chime in soon

Hope this helps!

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#9]

@LicensingConcierge1 nope, unfortunately, it does not answer my question fully.

maybe some other partners want to share their input? if not publicly, you can also send me a PM 😉

[#10 · Accepted solution]

@axperience_gra Hi Daniel,

Your use case around when and how to purchase the promo the best way is something a lot of partners are struggling with. You want to purchase only a few licenses for the migration period, and then purchase all required licenses when go-live. 

But indeed this is not how the promo works, or how it can be used. Like you mentioned; "So basically, as from day 1 of the migration project, ALL possible SKUs have to be bought" = YES. 

If you first purchase 20 seats to start the project, then the customer will lose their promo eligibility like you mentioned. They need to purchase the minimum BREP value in promo/cloud from the start of the project. 

This promo is meant for customers wanting to move towards the cloud of course. To support this transition, customers can renew their BREP in the cloud and get cloud software included in their renewal. 

So it might feel like you need to purchase unnecessary licenses in the cloud, but this is not really case. As you actually get the cloud software for free (for the price of your current on-premises BREP costs). So it's 2 products for the price of 1. 

It's all about point of view 😉

It would be weird if Microsoft would allow customers to discontinue their BREP, allow them to purchase just 20 seats D365 licenses, execute to project, and after the project (maybe costing years of development time) they can still purchase the promo. 

Your use case is a perfect description of what the promo rules are and how to use it. So you've basically answered your own questions 😉

And I can only confirm it, you are 100% correct. 

Cheers,

Martijn

[#11]

@axperience_gra 

You've stated that I haven't answered your question, however, I've provided the promotion requirements supporting that you must purchase all of the subscriptions, even though you will not be using them right away. 

That is the answer to your question. 

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. 

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#12]

Thanks Martijn! I am glad I got it right and am being confirmed that many other partners do it wild-west style, only because CSP technically allows them to do so.

[#13]

no, you don‘t have to buy *all* subscriptions from the beginning. We have to fetch the BREP amount and can increase users at a later stage. We only have to make sure we‘re getting at least 1 subscription from every SKU the customer needs within 36 months (otherwise, the‘d have to buy it at full price, not through BttC2).

[#14]

@axperience_gra 

My reply was only my guess. As I mentioned in my previous reply, your local ROC makes the final decision, so you should contact them, or submit a support ticket. 

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#15]

@axperience_gra 

As an update & upon further research, BTTC2 SKUs have 3-year term and are on NCE.

As we know, NCE allows adding users until the signup period ends. The added users would have same end date as original users, so it would be less than full 3 years).

The one thing to ensure is that they original purchase meets the size threshold – in other words, they must spend at least EP amount as part of the initial cloud purchase to qualify for the promo, and not counting revenue from adding users later.

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#16]

Yes, that was already mentioned before by Martijn.
You are right with meeting the threshold of the EP amount but we also have to buy at least 1 users of every SKU the customer need eventually (otherwise, they cant. buy the additional SKU later on - only increas existing ones).
Thanks for your help