Microsoft SMB Copilot Bundles — CSP Partners Undercut on Pricing. Are Others Experiencing This?
I want to raise something that's creating real problems for us as a CSP partner, and I suspect we're not alone. Microsoft recently launched the SMB Copilot Business bundles — including a M365 Business Premium + Copilot Business bundle at 25% off. Great initiative. The problem? Through eCommerce (direct), customers can purchase this bundle from 1 seat. Through CSP, the bundle has a 10-seat minimum. This is causing a very specific and common issue: we have customers with well over 10 seats on Business Premium who want to trial Copilot with a small group first — say 3 to 8 users — before committing to a wider rollout. That's a completely reasonable approach. But because CSP enforces a 10-seat minimum on the bundle, we can't offer them the discounted pricing for a small initial rollout. Meanwhile, they can see that if they went direct with Microsoft, they'd get 25% off from just 1 seat. The result? Our customers are asking us why we — their trusted Microsoft Partner — are charging them more than Microsoft itself. Some are outright accusing us of trying to rip them off. These aren't micro-businesses slipping through the cracks. These are established customers with legitimate deployments who simply want to pilot Copilot sensibly before scaling up. We've raised this with Microsoft and the justification we received boils down to: the direct channel serves even the smallest customers, while CSP requires a 10-seat minimum to "ensure sufficient scale and support for partner-led deals" and to "protect partner business interests." With respect, this doesn't protect our interests at all. It actively undermines them. Here's what's actually happening: • Customers who want to trial Copilot on a handful of seats see a better deal going direct and question why they're paying a partner at all • It erodes trust in the partner relationship — the very thing Microsoft says it wants to strengthen • It creates an incentive for customers to move licensing to the direct channel for the trial, fragmenting their management and making our job harder • We're left in the impossible position of either absorbing margin to match the direct price, or losing the customer's confidence • Ironically, it discourages the very Copilot adoption Microsoft is pushing — customers who would happily trial on a few seats are put off by being told they need to commit to 10 or more through us We're not asking for special treatment. We're asking for parity. If Microsoft believes 25% off is the right price for this bundle, let us offer it to our customers too — regardless of how many seats they want to start with. We're the ones providing the onboarding, the training, the support, and the ongoing management. We shouldn't be penalised for it. Is anyone else running into this with customers who want to trial Copilot on fewer than 10 seats? How are you handling the conversation when they come to you asking why Microsoft is cheaper direct? Would love to hear how others are navigating this, and whether there's any appetite to push back on this collectively.
MAICP - Legal Info and Identifier Pages are Blank - Partnership Delays
Hi All, I need some serious support. I provided initial details for the MAICP on 20-Feb-26 and on log in to the partner center 'Account Settings' the 'Legal Info' and 'Identifier' Pages are completely blank, so I cannot provide any details for further progress. I wanted to contact someone, but the support links and pages seem to be too tricky to get a hang as how to contact someine and lodge a ticket, as yet I have not become a partner. The support pages have some dropdowns and has only the 'review solutions' articles to go to and NO TICKET can be submitted. I went to all links provided by the Microsoft Experts in different chats, but COULD NOT figure out as how can I submit a ticket. Can someone provide a real solution, rather than just providing a series of links which do not lead anywhere? The problem scenario is below: The Pages which are blank: Support Submission Page: See it is only providing either 'Review Solution' - which takes to loops of reading and coming back to same pages with no solution or information about UPDATING, while I have not been able to provide even initial details. It Even the page for support from AI the 'Workspace' cannot be added as below, I feel like stuck and need some great help please. Can someone please guide with some solution, as I have been waiting for many days now, almost three weeks and have no way of raising the ticket for support as well? Many thanks in advance. Best Regards, Asim
February Incentive Payment Not Received – Unable to Create Support Ticket
Hello Team, We have not received the incentive payment for February and would like assistance reviewing this issue. Our organization meets the requirements under the App Innovation solution area and is eligible to receive Azure-related incentives. However, the February payment has not been deposited. Additionally, we are unable to create a support ticket in Partner Center because the AI Assistant interface prevents access to the support request page. Could you please check if there are any issues with our eligibility, payment profile, or required documentation, or help escalate this matter to the appropriate support team? Thank you.
Account Suspended Despite Compliance – Seeking Clarification and Reinstatement
Hello Microsoft Community, My company’s Partner Center account currently shows a Suspended status for both the Indirect Reseller and Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider programs, even though we believe we’ve met all requirements. What we’ve done: Completed all security requirements (MFA enabled, security contact designated) Verified business and legal information is up to date Ensured there are no outstanding payments or compliance issues We received a notice about CSP indirect reseller eligibility (USD 1,000 revenue requirement), but our partner confirms our license spend exceeds this threshold. Our questions: Why is the account still suspended if we’ve addressed the stated requirements? Is there a hidden or unaddressed compliance issue? What specific steps must we follow to have the suspension lifted? Can Microsoft reinstate the account once we provide evidence of compliance? We’re unable to perform critical operations like assigning licenses or accessing partner benefits while suspended. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Any guidance from Microsoft moderators or the community would be greatly appreciated.
security score requirements > 80 ?
Hi, I’m a distributor and noticed that there has been an update to the One-Page CSP Improvements Campaign – Authorizations One Pager. Previously, the document specified that a security score above 80 was required. However, I noticed that this requirement is no longer mentioned in the latest version I downloaded. Could you please confirm whether this criterion still applies, or if the only current prerequisites are as follows: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) must be enabled for all administrative users in the CSP tenant. A security contact must be designated within Partner Center. Security alerts must be responded to within 24 hours or less (not applicable to indirect reseller partners) I would appreciate your clarification on this matter. Ref https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/security/security-requirements i See On Update Partner Center Have New Tag Topic Mandatory requirements Or actually, just do this and it will pass the requirements section. New One Page Remark : When I click Details, I can't open the file at all Azure Information Protection Even though I signed in with an account Partner to view PDF, I can't open Give message Not Have Permission the file. Please help. Old One PageICYMI: Drive Microsoft 365 renewals and upgrades ahead of pricing and packaging updates
We recently announced that in 2026, we’re expanding the availability of security and management capabilities to the commercial Microsoft 365 suites. Along with these added features, there will also be a global price update to these suites across all purchasing channels effective July 1, 2026. Continue reading blog here Be sure to follow the Partner news blog for all partner related announcements!
