Guest blog courtesy of TD SYNNEX and written by Ana Stranaghan.
On August 6, 2024, Microsoft unveiled updates to the partner benefits in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP), announcing the addition of over 20 new products to be included soon and confirming a termination date for Legacy Silver, Gold and Action Pack.
Since its introduction two years ago, the MAICPP has been a comprehensive program, enabling thousands of partners to access exclusive benefits, training, resources and incentives to grow their businesses. But the road ahead is not without challenges—many partners are still in the process of transitioning from the legacy programs to Solutions Partner.
For this reason, I want to share with you what's coming ahead, including important dates, so you can plan, optimize your benefits and take advantage of all the incentive opportunities.
- Refreshing benefits – hallelujah, Copilot will be included starting January 22, 2025!
- January 21, 2025, has been set as the final day for Legacy Silver, Gold and Action Pack offers.
- Exciting news! The Microsoft Commerce Incentive (MCI) program will maintain the current eligibility requirements for FY25, providing stability and consistency for partners.
- Solutions Partner represents the hero membership and is the key to unlocking incentives.
General Availability of New Benefits is January 2025🥁
On January 22, 2025, partners will gain access to the added benefits in the Partner Launch, Partner Success Core, Partner Success Expanded, Solutions Partner designations and Specializations benefit packages.
Partner Benefits
- Partner Launch with six products added/updated.
- Partner Core with 12 products added/updated.
- Partner Success Expanded with 21 products added/updated - it's thrilling news! This package will include two users of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot for Sales, Copilot for Finance, Copilot for Service and Power Automate Process. Plus, Teams Rooms Pro and Teams Premium.
- Defender for Endpoint P2, Entra ID P2, Power Apps Premium, and Power Automate Premium are included in all three.
Solutions Partner Benefits
- 22 new products added across the six designations.
- Five users of Microsoft 365 Copilot included in Modern Work.
- Five users of Copilot for Sales, Copilot for Finance and Copilot for Service included in Business Applications.
- All the designations include some Power Apps Premium, Power Automate Premium and Power Automate Process.
Specialization Benefits
- 19 new products added/updated across the Specializations.
- Five users of Microsoft 365 Copilot included in the Modern Work Specialization.
- Github Copilot and Github Enterprise Metered in the Azure Specialization.
- Copilot for Security in the Security Specialization.
- Five users of Copilot for Sales, Copilot for Finance and Copilot for Service included in the Business Applications Specialization.
➡ All the details are listed here in the latest Microsoft Benefits Guide.
The Microsoft benefits guide details the exact products included in each package today and which products are to be added on January 22, 2025.
Current benefits begin on page five, and future benefits begin on page 46. Some products will be added as a one-time occurrence to existing active instances of the benefit offer.
January 21, 2025, Is the Final Day to Purchase or Renew Legacy Silver, Gold and Action Pack Offers
It’s official, Microsoft has announced they will no longer sell the Microsoft Action Pack, Microsoft Learning Action Pack and legacy Silver/Gold benefits starting January 22, 2025.
- Partners who purchase or renew their legacy benefits packages on and before January 21, 2025, will be able to use their benefits for 12 months from their purchase date.
- Those with an eligible active legacy silver/gold purchase status as of January 21, 2025, will be eligible for the remainder of the FY25 CSP incentive term (January 22, 2025, to September 30, 2025).
- Partners purchasing or renewing on and after January 22, 2025, will need to move to the New Partner benefits or the Solutions Partner benefits (if designation attained).
- Any partners that move to Solution Partner benefits will be bound by the incentive eligibility rules, meaning if you have achieved the Modern Work Solution designation, you will earn Modern Work incentives. You will only earn Azure related incentives if you achieve one of the Azure based Solution designations (Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation or Infrastructure).
- There is a new Azure SMB path coming this year, timing still to be confirmed.
- Renewing benefits can only be done at your anniversary, not sooner.
Which Partner Benefits Package to Purchase? 🤔
Microsoft is inviting partners to purchase a New Partner Benefits package (Partner Launch, Partner Success Core and Partner Success Expanded) to access the benefits as soon as they are rolled out on January 22, 2025. You don't need to wait for your anniversary and there are no requirements to purchase these benefits. You can purchase the new partner benefits solo or alongside your existing ones, like ISV Success, Action Pack, Silver, Gold and Solutions Partner.
- Partner Launch, Partner Success Core and Partner Success Expanded benefit packages are tailored to fit the size and requirements of your organization. These packages aim to boost your cloud and AI capabilities, deeper your Microsoft partnership and help drive long-term profitability. No incentives (CSP rebate/co-op).
- Solutions Partner benefits packages are purpose-built benefits and help you stand out in the marketplace with a Solutions Partner designation or Specialization. When you become a Solutions Partner, you’ll receive a portfolio of benefits specific to your designation, a customer-facing badge, co-sell eligibility, go-to-market services and enablement resources. These offerings unlock significantly more Azure credits, technical support and incentive opportunities.
➡ Recommendations for Partners Renewing Before January 22, 2025
- For organizations with a Microsoft Action Pack or Learning Action Pack, the Partner Success Core and Partner Success Expanded benefit packages are highly recommended.
- If you have a Legacy Silver or Gold benefits package, then renew your legacy benefits. You will need to have an active legacy package on January 21, 2025, to continue to earn CSP incentives for the remainder of the FY25 term. Consider supplementing your benefits with the Partner Success Core or Partner Success Expanded package.
- If you have qualified for a Solutions Partner Designation (SPD), then purchase or renew with the Solutions Partner benefits package. If you would like more benefits, consider supplementing with a Partner Success Core or Partner Success Expanded benefits. And consider earning additional designations or specializations to qualify for more benefits and incentives.
➡ For Partners Renewing on January 22, 2025, and Beyond
- Partners with Action Pack benefits to purchase the Partner Success Core or Partner Success Expanded benefits.
- Partners with Legacy Silver or Gold benefits to purchase the Partner Success Expanded benefits and pursue attaining a Solutions Partner designation. Reference the benefits guide for package details and benefits per Solutions Partner designations.
- Partners with a Solutions Partner designation to purchase the Solutions Partner benefits. Consider supplementing your benefits package with the Partner Success Core or Partner Success Expanded benefits. Pursue attaining additional designations and specializations to qualify for more benefits and incentives.
We highly recommend that you reference the Microsoft Commerce Incentives (MCI) guide for complete details on incentive eligibility.
FY25 term is October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
Facts About Earning Incentives Without Disruption💡
The Microsoft Commerce Incentive (MCI) program will maintain the current eligibility requirements for FY25, providing stability and consistency for partners. This means your legacy benefits and competencies will be recognized as eligibility for another year.
❗👉 It's important to note that you must have an active paid membership (Legacy Silver, Legacy Gold or Solutions Partner) and the required competency or designation.
Those with an eligible active Legacy Silver or Legacy Gold purchase status as of January 21, 2025, will be eligible for the remainder of the FY25 CSP incentive term (January 22, 2025, to September 30, 2025).
To continue to earn incentives in MCI, here are the designations required with an active paid Solutions Partner benefits package.
- For Azure CSP rebate/co-op you need an Azure designation.
- For Microsoft 365 rebate/co-op you need any one of the six designations.
- For Business Applications rebate/co-op you need any one of the six designations.
🔓 To be eligible for the Copilot activity-based incentives in MCI, it is necessary to obtain a Modern Work Specialization. Prior to this, acquiring the Modern Work designation is essential and the performance metrics for the Modern Work Specialization are grounded in CPOR, thus proficiency in claiming customer success through CPOR is crucial.
Yeah! Azure Bulk Credits Modernization 😃
Are you utilizing your Azure Benefits? One of the best product benefits available to partners.
Microsoft Partner Center offers Azure credit benefits to partners when they buy into partner program offers like the Partner Launch, Success Core, Expanded Success, Legacy Silver, Legacy Gold and Solutions partner designation.
Previously, redeeming Azure credits was quite complicated. The modernization project has simplified this by doing away with the old method of allocating Azure credits to individuals. Now partners can directly deposit Azure credits into their organization's billing account that has an MCA agreement and a billing profile in the new commerce experience.
Unlock Success Together With TD SYNNEX 🤝
Let us support you in navigating the next steps to success. Attend our MAICPP Clinics and/or request a personal coaching call. We're here to assist you in evaluating your status and scorecard, providing clarity, and guiding you towards a path filled with increased benefits and incentives.
Explore our topics below and join us to grow together in the Microsoft ecosystem! You can register here: https://ecosystem.tdsynnex.com/practice-builder/mcpp-clinics/
- Overview of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and Benefits.
- How to Achieve the Modern Work Solutions Partner Designation.
- How to Achieve the Azure Solutions Partner Designation.
- What You Need to Know About Claiming Partner of Record (CPOR).
- Increase Your Profitability with Microsoft Commerce Incentives (MCI).
- Utilizing Co-op Funds in Microsoft Partner Center.
Additional Useful Resources
Microsoft Certification Weeks offers live and on-demand training aimed at the necessary certifications and assisting you in exam preparation.
