Partner Blog | Simplify and scale operations with the latest technical and API enhancements
Partners are operating in an environment where security, compliance, and operational reliability are core to earning and retaining customer trust. At the same time, many partners are modernizing their systems and integrations to keep pace with a rapidly evolving commerce and services landscape. To support this shift, Microsoft is delivering a set of security‑first, API‑driven, and commerce‑aligned technical updates across Partner Center and related platforms. These changes are designed to reduce risk, improve resilience, and simplify how partners integrate with Microsoft platforms—all while supporting more consistent, scalable operations across customer lifecycle scenarios. Some updates are already in effect, with additional changes rolling out over the coming months. This post highlights what’s new, what’s coming, and, most importantly, how these improvements empower partners to strengthen security posture, streamline operations, and avoid disruption as enforcement milestones approach. Recent enhancements strengthening partner security and reliability Over the past few months, we’ve made progress on several technical and API enhancements to support consistent workflows and give partners clear, actionable paths to meeting requirements. By understanding what’s changing and why, partners can optimize their systems early, prevent avoidable delays, and create smoother end‑to‑end commerce and operational workflows. Continue reading hereKey promotional offers in CSP extended through June 30, 2026
Microsoft is extending select Microsoft 365 suite promotional offers for Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners on new commerce through June 30, 2026: 10% discount on Microsoft 365 E3, Security add-on suites (Purview Suite and Defender Suite), and Microsoft 365 E5 three-year subscriptions 15% discount on Microsoft 365 E5 annual term (one year) These offers are only available to new-to-offer customers. With the extension, partners can continue to drive customer adoption of Microsoft 365 suites by offering advanced security, compliance, and productivity solutions at a reduced cost. Access partner readiness resources for details on eligibility, terms, and best practices.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. As a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner, this is a key moment for you to drive renewals and upgrades before July 1, 2026. Learn more about the pricing updates, as well as the promotions, offers, and go-to-market resources you can use to support your customer conversations. Learn more here Join the conversation by following the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners discussion board where both direct bill and indirect resellers collaborate, troubleshoot, and stay informed on the latest developments in the CSP ecosystem.Enhance security for Business Premium customers with CSP Accelerator
Tap into a new way to drive security and compliance value while earning incentives with the CSP Accelerator: Defender & Purview Deployment Business Premium (BP) offer. Starting November 1, the CSP Accelerator: Defender & Purview Deployment BP empowers you to: Earn reimbursements for deploying SMB security and compliance workloads. Deliver Microsoft Defender and Purview as part of your BP offer to increase customer adoption and expand your services footprint. Drive deployment and deepen customer engagement. Nominate customers via the Microsoft Commerce Incentives (MCI) platform if you hold a Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Agreement and have an active Solutions Partner for Security designation. Download the incentives guide to learn more.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!
