New extended service term for Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) subscriptions
DETAILS: Effective April 1, 2026, the free grace period for accessing services on non-renewed subscriptions will be discontinued. Customers and partners will have three choices after expiration: Renew to a new term Cancel at end of term (services end immediately) Move to extended service term About the extended service term Customers can maintain access to services while deciding next steps Priced at the standard monthly rate with a 3% uplift Cancel anytime (billing is prorated) This update provides a clear continuity option for customers who keep using services after expiration––and helps align ongoing usage with the cost to maintain those services. NEXT STEPS: Be aware that effective April 1, 2026, subscriptions that meet all three of the following conditions will automatically be moved into EST at expiration: purchased on or after April 1, 2025; expires on or after April 1, 2026; and auto-renew is set to off. Review the details on this coming change and become familiar with the system updates that are required. Review the coming change with your customers and discuss the best option for their business needs before the end of their services terms to avoid unexpected billing. Prepare for technical implementation. Coordinate with your technical teams to schedule the necessary updates as soon as sandbox is available in November and the new cancel at end of term option is available in January. To find out more about these changes, register for the partner enablement call on October 23, 2025.Updated CSP authorization requirements take effect October 1
Beginning October 1, 2025, the updated Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) authorization eligibility requirements will be enforced. Please note that specific enforcement dates might vary based on current status—new applicant or existing. Distributors should: Use the reseller performance report to identify at-risk resellers, then work with them to meet the new requirements. Find your organization on the distributor search site and validate that the link to your website is correct. By staying authorized, CSP partners can continue to drive upsells and renewals with our suite of go-to-market resources while ensuring that we maintain a highly capable and compliant partner ecosystem. Learn more about the authorization requirements and available resources for CSP partners and download the partner FAQ for more information. Review the requirementsPartner Blog | Updates coming for Cloud Solution Provider partners
As the market opportunity for the small and medium enterprise customer segments grows, Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners play a key role in capturing this opportunity, offering value-added services and trusted guidance that accelerate AI transformation. In this next chapter of growth, we’re introducing updates designed to help you drive more renewals, upgrades, and upsells; retain customers; and scale your business—while staying compliant and capable. Our latest blog post highlights these updates, which include: New three-year terms for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, and Teams Enterprise in CSP to help with a consistent customer experience. Simplified renewals and upgrades with an updated channel transfers experience, new reporting features, and AI-powered automation in Partner Center. Strengthened CSP ecosystem with new requirements for authorizations and incentive eligibility. Read the blog post here Join the conversation on Microsoft Partner Community’s CSP partners discussion board.Partner Blog | What's new for Microsoft partners: April 2025 edition
We value partner feedback and celebrate the range of perspectives within our community as we continue to enhance the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. Our second blog of 2025 provides expert insights, updated learning resources, and recent benefits from the last four months to support your development. Announcements Microsoft at 50: the journey and future of the partner ecosystem As we celebrate Microsoft’s 50th anniversary in April, our annual State of the Partner Ecosystem blog was a great opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared with our partners, employees, and customers. Celebrate with us! Watch this video from Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Microsoft. Join the Microsoft AI Skills Fest for 50 days of learning and discovery starting April 8! Gain skills that will empower you and your team to build innovative AI solutions with Microsoft’s apps and services. Download the Microsoft 50th Anniversary Social Toolkit. See the full list of partner quotes on the Microsoft 50th Anniversary celebration site. Upcoming API changes for Microsoft partners: what you need to know Security and compliance are vital to maintaining trust and enhancing business efficiency. Our recent blog outlines several significant updates to application programming interfaces (APIs) that Microsoft partners will need to implement over the coming months to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions in business operations. These changes include updates to billing frequency scheduling, Partner of Record (POR) assignment, CSP billing reconciliation APIs, Partner Center pricelist upgrades, and the deprecation of Azure AD graph tokens. Additionally, the blog emphasizes the importance of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and upcoming changes to Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) attestation methods. Continue reading herePartner Blog | Renewals: A strategic lever for partners to drive customer engagement
Microsoft marks a significant milestone in 2025—50 years of inspiring innovation and technology solutions that empower people and organizations to achieve more. Though we often focus on the end product—those software solutions from the early days to the evolution of our leading cloud-based business—equally important is the way we get our world-class products into the hands of our customers. As our technology has evolved, so have the ways in which we sell it. We’ve moved beyond transactional agreements and now focus on customized, solution-based selling to meet the growing demands of our partners and customers. In doing this, we have created deeper relationships and greater opportunities, transforming businesses along the way. Now, more than ever, with the small and midsize enterprise market rapidly expanding and cloud adoption accelerating, partners have a significant opportunity to drive growth by prioritizing timely renewals and strategic upsells—maximizing both customer value and revenue potential. Partners are the trusted advisors who can help unlock business outcomes for these important customers, and prioritizing Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners is our primary motion to help you capture this opportunity. As we shared at Microsoft Ignite 2024, our estimates based on IDC data indicate that the total addressable market (TAM) for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) in the 2025 fiscal year (FY25) is $661 billion*, with $467 billion in cloud solutions—and growing fast. Continue reading here Join the conversation by following our CSP Discussion board!
Digital Training: CSP Practice build on Threat Protection & Data Security with ME5
Join Microsoft subject matter experts for an exclusive two-day, virtual event focused on developing security and compliance sales strategies geared towards Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) sellers. In this workshop, you’ll gain insights into Microsoft 365 E5 subscription and develop real-world strategies for selling Microsoft security and compliance solutions to SMB & SMC audiences. Engage with Microsoft experts and come away with the tools to design impactful demonstrations, create compelling offers, and sell effectively to your audience. Who should attend: This event is recommended for sales professionals looking to expand their security and compliance selling and L200 Technical capabilities, including but not limited to sales executives, sales and pre-sales specialists, practice leads, and business development managers. Registration: Secure your spot promptly by registering for the session. What to expect: Join Microsoft subject matter experts for an exclusive two-day, virtual event focused on developing security and compliance sales strategies geared towards Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) sellers. When: Tuesday 8th April 2025, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (GMT) and Wednesday 9th April 2025, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (GMT) Where: Digital It's not too late to join: Register here!Level Up CSP | Accelerate with Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents Sales & Technical bootcamps
Join us for a 3-day Level Up CSP Sales & Technical bootcamp and stay up to date on how to accelerate AI! Get the latest sales tools with our day 1 session, presented by our Modern work experts that will help you sell and go to market with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat and agents. During the technical day 2 & 3 training, CSP partners will gain the skills needed for a successful and secure M365 Copilot implementation, leverage Copilot Chat, and create your first agent. This comprehensive session includes NEW hands-on labs, demos, and resources to enhance learning and execution. Level Up CSP: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agents Sales Bootcamp 1-day sales bootcamp | Register Americas/EMEA region: February 25 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Pacific Time APAC region: February 25 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Pacific Time Who should attend: Sellers and sales managers Level Up CSP: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agents Technical Bootcamp 2-day technical bootcamp | Register Day 1 Americas/EMEA region: February 26 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time Day 2 Americas/EMEA region: February 27 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time Day 1 APAC region: March 5 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Pacific Time Day 2 APAC region: March 6 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Pacific Time Who should attend: Pre and post sales, IT admins and technical staff About Level Up CSP Training: Level Up CSP Bootcamps are built to help CSP partners grow sales and technical capabilities and accelerate new customer acquisition, upsell and cross sell. Join us for the upcoming Microsoft 365 and Copilot bootcamps to get ready to acquire, upsell and expand with M365 Premium SKUs, Copilot and Copilot Studio. Be sure to follow our Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners discussion board to keep up to date on all CSP announcements!Level Up CSP | Renew and Upsell Sales and Technical Bootcamps!
We are excited to invite you to the upcoming http://aka.ms/LevelUpCSPBootcamp. These special edition bootcamps will help drive CSP success during the January – March renew and upsell moment. We will discuss Premium SKUs, M365 Copilot and Copilot agents, as well as key partner tools, programs, and promos to leverage. Learn more below to register. Level Up CSP Sales Bootcamp Renew and Upsell 1-day sales Bootcamp Americas/EMEA region: December 10 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Pacific Time APAC region: December 10 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Pacific Time Who should attend: Sellers and sales managers Level Up CSP Technical Renew and Upsell Bootcamp 2-days technical Bootcamp Day 1: Americas/EMEA region: December 11 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Pacific Time Day 1: APAC region: December 11 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Pacific Time Day 2: Americas/EMEA region: December 12 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Pacific Time Day 2: APAC region: December 12 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Pacific Time Who should attend: Pre and post sales, IT admins and technical staff Register at http://aka.ms/LevelUpCSPBootcamp We will be offering voiceover and subtitles for ten languages to support our global CSP partners.
