Is it possible to purchase and maintain both Microsoft Action Pack and Partner Success Core Benefit

[GPhbt]

I'm a Microsoft partner and I'm currently evaluating the different benefits programs that are available to me. I'm interested in both the Microsoft Action Pack and the Partner Success Core Benefits, but I'm not sure if it's possible to purchase and maintain both of them at the same time.

I would appreciate it if anyone could clarify whether it's possible to purchase and maintain both of these programs at the same time. If so, I would also be interested in hearing about any potential benefits or drawbacks of doing so.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[#2]

@GPhbt thanks for posting in the community, I'm going to move your post to our Partner Benefits discussion board as I think it fits better there and I hope someone will be able to answer your question. 

cheers! 

[#3]

Hello @GPhbt 

I would appreciate it if anyone could clarify whether it's possible to purchase and maintain both of these programs at the same time. If so, I would also be interested in hearing about any potential benefits or drawbacks of doing so.

You're interested in purchasing both? 

Short answer: I did not find documentation restricting the purchase of both. I can say that the Microsoft Action Pack is the entry level yet both are programs for Services Partners, the benefits slightly differ. Ex: Action Pack benefits mostly On Prem. 

Long answer:

Partner Success Benefits:

To confirm, you can only purchase one Partner Success Core Benefits per Partner Global account. You can't have multiple purchases for Partner Success Core Benefits and no exceptions will be entertained.

What does Partner Success Benefits offer?

The Partner Success Core Benefits includes software, support, and benefits that can jumpstart your business growth. This program provides you with benefits and software license grants so that you can use them to grow your business.  Please review the following MS Learn Doc - Partner Success Core Benefits - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Action Pack:

You only purchase one Microsoft Action Pack (or Learning Action Pack) per Partner Global account. You can't have multiple purchases for Microsoft Action Pack and no exceptions will be entertained.

What does Microsoft Action Pack offer?

This pack is the entry level program for Services Partners (including Training partners). The Microsoft Action Pack includes software, support, and benefits that can jumpstart your business growth. This program provides you with benefits and software license grants so that you can use them to grow your business. Buy or renew a Microsoft Action Pack - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn

How can I compare Programs?

• Find a high-level overview of Microsoft partner benefits packages here - Microsoft Partner Benefits and Offerings | Compare Offers
• Find a full list benefit comparison by logging into Partner Center & finding the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Benefits Guide.
• Both programs offer different benefits, so you should review each benefits to determine if you need both. I did not find documentation restricting one from purchasing both benefits. 

Where can I find my benefits?

You can log into Partner Center to find benefits for the Partner Success Core Benefits & the Microsoft Action Pack in Benefits Workspace. 

On another note - If you have questions about Microsoft products, please post to the applicable community as follows:

• Business Applications (BizApps) -you can also post general Modern Works & Power Platform inquiries here. 
• New Commerce Experience (NCE) 
• Cloud Service Provider Partners (CSP) 
• Partner Benefits

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

[#4]

@LicensingConcierge1 Thanks a lot for the explanation.

The only document that I found that made me wonder is this one Microsoft Action Pack frequently asked questions

The second question says:

Can I be both an Action Pack partner and a Competency partner at the same time?

Yes, but only until your MAPS subscription expires. Once your MAPS subscription expires, you will not be able to renew it. You will keep going as a competency partner. From the time you become a competency partner until the time your MAPS expires, you will be able to use both MAPS and competency’s benefits. Once the MAPS subscription ends, you will retain only your competency’s benefits.

But I can't figure out what is a competency partner?

Yes we are interested in purchasing both because we need some licenses from both but only if we can keep both of them at the same time.

What do you think about this?

Thanks again! 

have a nice day

[#5]

Hi @GPhbt,

I only found the following:

"The new partner benefits packages can be purchased individually and in addition to existing benefits, including ISV Success. Beyond these packages, partners are encouraged to differentiate their organizations with a solution area Solutions Partner* designation or specialization. In addition to helping you stand out to your customers in the market, these offerings unlock significantly more Microsoft Azure credits, seats, and technical support."

Source: https://blogs.partner.microsoft.com/partner/grow-your-partnership-with-new-partner-benefits-packages... 

In my opinion, you should be able to purchase the Action Pack and all three new ones ("Partner Launch Benefits", "Partner Success Core Benefits" and "Partner Success Expanded Benefits") together.

[#6]

Hi @GPhbt 

What is a competency?

Competencies are a recognized level of expertise within a given technical or business area.

How do I obtain a competency?

Competencies have been phased out.  Beginning September 30, 2022, legacy competencies (and associated badging) will no longer be valid. However, if you obtained a competency by that date, you'll retain your benefits.

What replaces competencies?

Solutions Partner designations will be available for partners to attain starting on October 3, 2022.

Where can I find more information about Solutions Designations?

Partners can log into Partner Center and find several resources. Once helpful document is the MS Learn Doc titled "Solutions Partner - frequently asked questions".

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]

@ClaudioStallone 

I had purchased Action Pack and jumped through all the hoops needed (incuding a support request) to get it working on the correct subscription. 
In addition I recently purchased, assigned, and activated (yes, 3 steps) a "Partner Launch" subscription, hoping to get the $700/year Azure credit in addition to the $100/month credit from Action Pack.

However, when activating "Partner Launch", I chose the correct subscription, and it told me I had "switched offer". This makes me think I am no longer getting the Action Pack $100/month.

Unfortunately I need to wait a month for a new downloadable invoice to be generated as this is the only place the Azure credit is mentioned.
The whole process is a disaster. 

[#8]

@GregWoodsLancs 1

I completely agree with you, 100%. I followed the same steps, had to change the subscription, and now I can't even check the costs anymore using the cost management tool. Instead, I have to use a subpar website dedicated to partners, which lacks the same detail and functionality.

Additionally, I think the $100 from the Action Pack will be lost because it seems they are only charging the amount to the Launch Pack credits as they are at bulk while action pack is montlhy. I can't even tell if the Action Pack is now part of the same subscription as the Launch Pack. This process should be much easier.

Do you think it is possible to open a ticket and receive help from Microsoft? We paid for both packages, so why should we lose the credit from one of them?

[#9]

@GPhbt How did you go with this? did get a chance to see what came up with the invoicing? 

Are you still getting the full value of the Action Pack (including the $100 per month Azure) as well as the Success Core Benefits?

I'm kinda in the same boat, but haven't hit the buy button

My reading of this Link https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/blog/article/grow-your-partnership-with-new-partner-benefits-pac... 

"You don't have to start with Launch Benefits; choose the package that aligns with your current needs and expand your benefits as you continue to grow with Microsoft. Our flexible approach allows you to purchase more than one package—you can have up to one of each—ensuring that you have access to the benefits you need to strengthen your cloud and AI practice.  "

Is that you can have all three, and nothing seems to say that the lose access to the Action Pack.

[#10]

@DallasMcGuireHindle 

Hi, I checked and in my opinion, the benefits of the Action Pack are being lost. Let me explain, I tried to track the expenses of these weeks (if you buy the success core Pack or another of this category you can no longer use the Azure cost control module but you have to use a special portal for partners which is very, very poor and unclear) and basically all the costs have been absorbed by the bulk credit present in the success core Pack, so the monthly $100 from the Action Pack have been lost. I assume they will be reactivated after the $2400 from the other package is exhausted, but during these months and until the end of the bulk credit of the new package, in my opinion, the $100 from the Action Pack are lost. I really don't know what to say or do, do you think it is possible to open a ticket somewhere?

If you want to pursue this path, perhaps the only way is to use two subscriptions each with its own pack, but I don't know how feasible this is.

Anyway, Microsoft certainly tells you that you can buy as many packs as you want, but if the benefits do not add up but overlap, what's the point?
They are not only very unclear but also quite unfair..