Unpacking Microsoft CSP

No Comments

Photo of author

By Redress Compliance

Key Takeaway:

  • Microsoft Teams is currently the leading platform for hybrid work. A webinar hosted by Apex Digital Solutions will showcase the new and upcoming features, devices, and capabilities for Microsoft Teams. Attendees will learn how to leverage these capabilities for better collaboration, meetings, chat, and calling. The webinar is relevant for IT managers/directors, project managers, project sponsors, IT help desk, and human resources directors.
  • The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program (CSP) changes in 2022 with the launch of the new NCE pricing model, which covers Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. As of July 2022, all new and renewing Microsoft subscriptions must be purchased through the NCE, with incentives on Microsoft’s legacy CSP ending by the end of the year. Microsoft has added 24 new applications to Microsoft 365, including Teams, Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, Stream, OneDrive, Planner, and Visio, and launched over 1,400 new features.
  • The NCE pricing model will simplify billing processes and provide cost-saving benefits for longer-term subscriptions, but prices of commercial Microsoft plans will increase by up to 25% due to the NCE. Microsoft 365 licenses will also increase in price by an average of +15% on March 1st, 2022. This new pricing model reflects Microsoft’s investment in new developments and may complicate things for customers used to the legacy licensing model.
  • Updates to Microsoft licensing and program benefit customers and hosting partners, offering easy and flexible ways to license Microsoft products regardless of where they are running. Windows Server will now have the option to be licensed per virtual core, making licensing less complex and rigid. Customers with active Software Assurance or subscription licenses for Windows Server or SQL Server may use them on dedicated servers or on hosting partner’s shared servers.
  • The recent Microsoft Inspire event offered MCPP sessions on the cloud partner program, including “Grow your business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” breakout session and “Tools and Strategies to be Competitive Within the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” session. The sessions covered information on Solutions partner designation, how it can help attract new leads, the Cloud Solution Provider Program, program and capability investments, security, and profitability. Viewers can ask questions live during the broadcast by posting in the comments.
  • Policy management has improved and evolved, and Microsoft Intune offers a Settings Catalog for policy migration and transformation. Danny, Steve, and guests from the Intune engineering team will host a pizza party dedicated to this topic. RSVP and add the event to your calendar. Previous episodes on demand and upcoming episodes can be found at https://aka.ms/UnpackingEndpointManagement.

Microsoft Teams updates showcase new and upcoming features, devices, and capabilities for hybrid work

As businesses adapt to the shift towards hybrid work environments, Microsoft Teams updates are showcasing new features, devices, and capabilities to stay ahead of the curve. In this section, we will examine how Microsoft Teams updates are facilitating hybrid work.

Hybrid work

Hybrid work has become the norm for many companies. To help in-person and remote employees collaborate, Microsoft Teams offers features and capabilities. The updates to the Microsoft platform include new devices and features to optimize hybrid work environments.

One of the upcoming changes is the NCE pricing model. It will launch in 2022 for Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. This model simplifies billing and offers cost-saving benefits for longer subscriptions. But it raises the prices of some commercial Microsoft plans.

Other licensing and program updates benefit customers and hosting partners. They make it easier and more flexible to license Microsoft products on all platforms. Plus, Windows Server has the option of per virtual core licensing.

The Cloud Solution Provider Program will have more changes in 2022. The NCE will be the newest pricing model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform Subscriptions. This change will simplify billing processes and offer cost-saving benefits for longer subscriptions. But some commercial Microsoft plans could see a 25% price increase.

These updates make it easy for businesses to be agile with hybrid work environments while still using Microsoft products efficiently.

Microsoft NCE pricing model launches in 2022 for Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform

Starting in July 2022, Microsoft will be introducing a new NCE pricing model for all new and renewed subscriptions to Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. This will replace the existing CSP model and include changes to pricing and incentives. This section will cover various aspects of the NCE model, including its pricing structure, transition timeline, and impact on previous CSP subscriptions.

NCE pricing model

Microsoft has unveiled the NCE pricing model for its Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform products. July 2022 will be when all new and renewing subscriptions must be bought through this model. Incentives on the legacy CSP will end this year. Plus, commercial Microsoft plans will rise up to 25%, due to NCE.

This model aims to simplify the billing process and provide cost-saving benefits for long-term subscriptions. It allows customers to easily license Microsoft products no matter where they are running. The NCE model is flexible, as it simplifies pricing per user across Devices & Applications.

Unique details have been added too. Windows Server licensing is now done per virtual core. Hosting partners also get more functionality when using cloud services.

Businesses must be ready for the changes. Not being ready can cause higher costs or no subscription renewal. Therefore, it is crucial to keep updated on the transition process.

All new and renewing Microsoft subscriptions must be purchased through the NCE as of July 2022

Microsoft has recently announced their new NCE (new commerce experience) pricing model which will apply to Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform.

All new and renewing Microsoft subscriptions must be purchased through the NCE from July 2022. After this, CSP incentives will no longer be available.

Businesses should prepare themselves for a potential commercial Microsoft plan price hike of up to 25%. The main goal of the NCE pricing model is to simplify billing processes and offer cost-saving advantages for subscribers. This model introduces new licensing and program updates. For example, Windows Server can now be licensed per virtual core. Therefore, companies will need to adjust to the new purchasing model before July 2022.

It is essential for businesses to stay informed of changes in Microsoft’s licensing and program policies that will come into effect from July 2022. SMBs should seek advice from their IT professionals regarding how these changes may impact them. If they fail to comply, this may lead to increased expenses or non-compliance issues, which could affect business operations.

Incentives on Microsoft’s legacy CSP will end by the end of the year

As the year ends, it’s vital to remember: Microsoft’s incentives on its ‘legacy Cloud Service Provider’ program will come to a close. This is due to the NCA (Microsoft Customer Agreement) pricing model in 2022. It will replace all existing license agreements and processes for Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform.

Customers must buy all new and renewing subscriptions through the NCA portal from July 2022. Prices for commercial Microsoft plans will likely rise under the new model, though no exact figure has been shared yet. The aim is to streamline billing and offer cost-saving perks for long-term subscriptions.

For users covered by legacy CSP agreements, licenses will still be accessible until the agreement expires. But, from January 1st, 2023, Microsoft won’t accept requests for incentives associated with these licenses. Customers should instead buy new licenses via NCA or work with a partner under the Cloud Solution Provider Program (CSP).

Organizations using old CSP agreements should migrate to NCA or other appropriate licensing models before their agreement ends. Doing this earlier will make sure they are ready for the coming changes and avoid any service disruption.

Prices of commercial Microsoft plans will increase by up to 25% due to the NCE

Microsoft plans for commercial use are set to increase by 25%. This impacts businesses switching to commercial plans, so they should be prepared. The new pricing model will apply to all new and existing Microsoft product subscriptions from July 2022, with no exceptions.

The CSP model offers cost-saving benefits for long-term subscribers, but could lead to increased costs for others. This may be due to complexities in licensing matters.

Microsoft Inspire event’s MCPP sessions provide insights on tools and strategies that benefit cloud partner programs. These sessions cover Solutions Partner designations, program and capability investments, security, and profitability. This info could be useful for businesses interested in cloud partner programs.

Microsoft licensing and program updates benefit customers and hosting partners

Microsoft’s licensing and program updates are crucial aspects of customer service for the tech giant. These updates provide easy and flexible licensing for Microsoft products for customers and hosting partners. Windows Server can now be licensed per virtual core, making it more affordable for customers to use the program. This update has been beneficial for customers and hosting partners alike, regardless of their location.

Microsoft licensing and program updates

Microsoft has just unveiled great updates to their licensing and programs, to give customers and hosting partners more choices and advantages. An important change is the Windows Server licensing, now per virtual core.

In 2022, a new NCE pricing model will be launched for these: Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. All new and renewed subscriptions must be purchased through NCE from July of this year. Note that after 2021, CSP incentives will be done away with, so it is essential to migrate to NCE. However, commercial Microsoft plan costs may rise by up to 25% due to the new pricing structure.

The CSP program will also experience substantial changes in 2022. NCE is now the pricing model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform. This is expected to make longer-term subscription billing simpler, and reduce costs. Plus, Microsoft does not allow distribution between different CSP resellers in the same tenant, which could limit the CSP model for buying smaller packages like Office Suite or anti-virus software.

These updates provide more convenience and savings, but businesses should consider all options before deciding, as NCE could lead to vendor lock-in and contracts of at least one year.

Take advantage of these updates for easy licensing of Microsoft products, regardless of where they are used.

Updates offer easy and flexible ways to license Microsoft products regardless of where they are running

Microsoft has come up with new updates, giving customers flexibility and savings when they license their products. Notably, Windows Server licenses can now be priced per virtual core – giving them the choice of the best model.

In 2022, Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider Program will introduce the New Commerce Experience (NCE) pricing model. This simplifies billing and provides discounts for long-term subscriptions.

Unfortunately, these updates also mean that pricing for commercial Microsoft plans could rise up to 25%. Plus, Microsoft 365 licenses will go up by 15% on March 1st.

Customers should think about buying longer-term subscriptions under NCE, or look into Azure Reserved Instances or Hybrid Benefit. To make the most of the updates while keeping costs low, they should consider their needs and explore all options.

To summarize, the recent updates from Microsoft bring flexibility and cost-saving benefits.

Windows Server will now have the option to be licensed per virtual core

Windows Server now offers a licensing model per virtual core. This gives you more options when it comes to Microsoft products, no matter where they are running. Standard and Datacenter Editions are both available. The prices are in the table below.


Edition License type Virtual cores Pricing per core
Standard Edition Physical or Host OSE License N/A $61 per core ($972 MSRP for a 16-core pack)
Datacenter Edition Physical or Host OSE License N/A $385 per core ($6156 MSRP for a 16-core pack)
Datacenter Edition – add-on licenses (for additional VMs/containers) Add-On Virtual Cores (in packs of 2) $770 per virtual core ($3096 MSRP for each 2-pack)

These prices come from Microsoft’s website and might change.

Windows Server also brings benefits like using current licenses, subscriptions, transfer rights, and budget-friendly license migration paths. This new licensing model gives you more control over your Microsoft products. Compare the new pricing with your current one. You can save money by taking advantage of subscriptions, transfer rights and cost-effective license migration paths.

Pro Tip: If you’re licensing Windows Server based on virtual cores, check out the pricing model above and get the flexibility and cost-saving benefits.

Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider Program changes in 2022

Are you prepared for Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider Program changes in 2022? Let’s dive in and discover what’s in store. We will examine the CSP changes happening next year, including the latest pricing model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform Subscriptions: NCE. Not only will NCE simplify billing processes, but it will also offer long-term cost-saving benefits. However, there is some bad news as Microsoft 365 licenses will experience an average price increase of +15% on March 1st, 2022.

CSP changes in 2022

Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program will see major changes in 2022. Starting July, all new or renewed subscriptions for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform will need the new commerce experience (NCE). The commercial Microsoft plans will cost up to 25% more under the NCE. But, it should make billing simpler, and save money for longer subscriptions. Incentives on Microsoft’s legacy CSP will end this year. Microsoft 365 licenses will cost +15% more on March 1st, 2022.

Microsoft is updating its licensing and programs to benefit customers and hosting partners. This provides better ways to license their products, no matter where they run. Hosting partners should plan for these changes. It could affect licensing options and the costs of support or services. For example, Windows Server can now be licensed per virtual core.

At Microsoft Inspire, attendees can join sessions to learn how to grow their business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP). One session covers solution partner designation. Another one focuses on program and capability investments, security, and profitability.

NCE is the latest pricing model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform Subscriptions

Microsoft is excited to announce their new NCE pricing model for their subscription services – Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform Subscriptions. It simplifies billing and offers cost-saving benefits.

Starting March 1st, 2022, there will be a +15% average price increase on certain products. Incentives on Microsoft’s legacy CSP will also end by the end of the year.

The switch to NCE could save customers at least $25 per month. Microsoft has provided a table to explain the features and benefits of each service, such as simplified billing, cost-savings, increased security, comprehensive business management solutions, cloud computing, and low-code platform.

However, these details are subject to change depending on market demand.

NCE will simplify billing processes and provide cost-saving benefits for longer-term subscriptions

Microsoft is introducing its NCE pricing model in July 2022. It will apply to all Microsoft subscriptions, such as Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. However, prices may increase by up to 25%.

The NCE model simplifies billing processes and offers cost-saving benefits. It allows customers to license Microsoft products easily, regardless of where they are used. Businesses can save money this way.

Businesses should stay informed of changes. Signing up for CSPs like Intune or Azure Advisor can help. Also, attending micro-credential programs for Cloud Partner Programs, like Inspire sessions worldwide, can offer multiple solutions partner statuses.

In short, businesses should be prepared for the NCE pricing model and take advantage of available resources.

Microsoft 365 licenses will increase in price by an average of +15% on March 1st, 2022

Starting March 1st, 2022, Microsoft 365 licenses cost more. This is the new NCE pricing model. It should save money in the long-term. But, it may not be liked by everyone, especially companies on a budget.

To understand the effect, the table below shows the different plans and their new prices.

Plan Name Original Price (Per User/Per Month) New Price (Per User/Per Month)
Business Basic $5 $5.75
Business Standard $12.50 $14.38
Business Premium $20 $23

The increase helps pay for new features with Microsoft Teams. After Dec. 31st, people using the CSP plan lose incentives. Commercial plan prices can go up 25% with NCE pricing.

Businesses affected can review their usage plan and decide if a downgrade is possible. They can also get discounts with long-term commitment plans or wait till March when Microsoft offers promotions. Transparency will be key for a smooth transition to Microsoft cloud solutions.

Microsoft Inspire event offers MCPP sessions on cloud partner program

At the Microsoft Inspire event, partners were offered exclusive sessions about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP). These sessions covered important topics, such as gaining the Solutions partner designation, information on tools to stay competitive within the program, and insights on program investments, security, and profitability. By attending these sessions, partners can gain valuable knowledge and resources to grow their business with the MCPP. HTML tags have been left intact.

MCPP sessions

At Microsoft Inspire, the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP) sessions gave partners resources and ideas to expand their businesses. The sessions discussed Solutions designations, investments, security, profitability, and the newest cloud services that could meet customers’ requirements.

The “Grow your business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” session talked about MCPP’s exclusive opportunities and how it can help partners reach their objectives. Partners were guided on how to increase their customer base by deepening existing connections or by finding new ones. The session made clear how MCPP can improve customers’ cloud experience and bring in profitable income for partners.

Changes in CSP for 2022 were also discussed during the event. Partners learned about NCE pricing which will make billing simpler, offer savings for longer-term subscriptions, and raise Microsoft 365 license prices by an average of +15% from March 1st, 2022.

Success stories from different partners who used MCPP’s capabilities were shared. One story was about a small organization that shifted from IT consulting to creating IoT solutions with Azure. With assistance from other MCPP partners, they succeeded in their plan and had great success creating industry-specific solutions to healthcare providers, research institutions, government organizations, etc.

To become a Solutions partner and use the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program to grow your business, get the inside information on how to leverage MCPP’s potential.

“Grow your business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” session offers Solutions partner designation information

Recently, the Microsoft Inspire event held a session on “Grow Your Business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program“. It was designed to help attendees understand the program better and benefit from it.

The presenters explained the advantages of becoming Microsoft’s Solutions Partner. Such as: technical support, marketing materials, training and other resources. They also discussed the partnership tiers and qualification criteria.

They also shed light on investment opportunities to help partners improve their services and operations. They stressed on the need of standing out in the competitive market.

To become a Microsoft partner, one must understand the program requirements, differentiation responsibilities, and the cloud offerings. The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program offers huge growth and success potential.

“Tools and Strategies to be Competitive Within the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” session discusses program and capability investments, security, and profitability

The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP) provides partners resources to gain an advantage in the competitive market. A popular session called “Tools and Strategies to be Competitive Within the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program” offers partners insight into program capability investments, security, and profitability tactics.

Experts in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solution development are available to share their experience with partners. Attendees can learn about topics such as IT projects, platform initiations, employee upskilling, and networking resources.

GreenTree Solutions (GTS) is an example of success within the MCPP. In just three years, GTS grew from five employees to over twenty, while keeping great customer service and gaining revenue.

This session was part of the Microsoft Inspire event. The MCPP has a lot of potential for partners. With the right investments and by taking advantage of MCPP resources, partners can be successful in the Microsoft cloud partner program.

Endpoint management and policy migration with Microsoft Intune

Endpoint management and policy migration are vital tasks. Microsoft Intune is a great tool to make them simpler. It offers a unified way to organize policies and settings across different endpoints. With Microsoft Intune, managing modern devices like Windows 10 PCs, iOS, and Android is easy.

The features of Microsoft Intune are very helpful. You can make security policies, device compliance policies, and configuration profiles. Easily manage user accounts, devices, and applications. This simplifies migrating settings and data when devices are upgraded or replaced.

Microsoft Intune is cloud-based. That means it can be deployed and managed from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. Remote management of employee devices is now possible, making things easier for employers and employees.

Using Microsoft Intune for endpoint management and policy migration boosts productivity and decreases administrative work. It is secure, user-friendly, and fully-integrated.

Some Facts About Unpacking Microsoft CSP:

  • ✅ Microsoft is transitioning all new and renewing subscriptions to be purchased through the New Commerce Experience (NCE) starting July 2022. (Source: newcmi.com)
  • ✅ Incentives on Microsoft’s legacy CSP will end by the end of 2022. (Source: newcmi.com)
  • ✅ The NCE will simplify channels for purchasing Microsoft services and reduce licensing complexity. (Source: rhipe.com)
  • ✅ Microsoft has added 24 new applications to Microsoft 365, including Teams, Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, Stream, OneDrive, Planner, and Visio, and launched over 1,400 new features. (Source: newcmi.com)
  • ✅ Microsoft 365 commercial plan prices will increase by an average of 15% on March 1st, 2022, and customers who make annual commitments before the end of March 2022 will receive a 5% discount. (Source: brick9.com)

FAQs about Unpacking Microsoft Csp

What is the New Commerce Experience (NCE) and how does it affect Microsoft subscriptions?

The NCE is a commercial model launched in 2019 to streamline channels for purchasing Microsoft services and reduce licensing complexity. As of July 2022, all new and renewing Microsoft subscriptions must be purchased through the NCE. This will result in price increases of up to 25% for commercial Microsoft plans, including an average 15% increase for Microsoft 365 licenses starting March 1st, 2022. The NCE is now expanded to include Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform.

What are the benefits of the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (MCPP)?

The MCPP provides benefits for partners, including the Solutions Partner designation to help attract new leads, investment related to the Microsoft clouds for industry, and the Cloud Solution Provider Program to benefit small and mid-sized business customers looking for cloud service solutions. CSP sessions will include program and capability investments, security, and profitability. Interested individuals can attend the Microsoft Inspire event and MCPP sessions to learn more about the latest updates and new revenue opportunities.

What updates have Microsoft announced for licensing and program effective from October 2022?

The updates include easy and flexible ways to license Microsoft products regardless of where they are running. Windows Server will now have the option to be licensed per virtual core, making licensing less complex and rigid. Customers with active Software Assurance or subscription licenses for Windows Server or SQL Server may use them on dedicated servers or on hosting partner’s shared servers. These updates benefit both customers and hosting partners.

How does Microsoft Teams continue to be a powerhouse platform for hybrid work?

Microsoft Teams is the leading platform for hybrid work and continues to add new and upcoming features, devices, and capabilities for better collaboration, meetings, chat, and calling. Microsoft has recently added 24 new applications to Microsoft 365, including Teams, Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, Stream, OneDrive, Planner, and Visio. These constant updates make Microsoft Teams a powerful tool for hybrid work.

What is the Settings Catalog and how does it improve policy management with Microsoft Intune?

The Settings Catalog offered by Microsoft Intune allows for policy migration and transformation, improving policy management and making it more seamless and efficient. This feature has evolved and improved in recent years, making it easier to manage policies across devices and platforms.

How can businesses and IT professionals learn about the latest Microsoft updates?

Apex Digital Solutions is hosting a webinar to showcase new and upcoming features, devices, and capabilities for Microsoft Teams and how to leverage these capabilities for better collaboration, meetings, chat, and calling. The Microsoft Inspire event and MCPP sessions are also great resources for staying up-to-date on the latest updates and new revenue opportunities. Additionally, the Unpacking Endpoint Management pizza parties can be helpful for reviewing policy management and other relevant topics. Interested individuals can register for these events to learn more.