Introducing Microsoft’s New Commerce experience

In this blog we find out more about the changes to Microsoft’s pricing structure and what it means for you and your organisation.

1. Why now?

Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program continues to evolve as they adapt to support the constantly shifting needs of today’s businesses. As part of their investment in the CSP program, Microsoft has been working to reduce licensing complexity and costs, as well as provide flexibility to support a range of client purchasing scenarios. To achieve this, Microsoft launched the New Commerce Experience (NCE) for Microsoft Azure in 2019 – and in Autumn of 2021 expanded NCE to include Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform.

2. What is NCE?

The New Commerce Experience (NCE) ‘per seat’ model for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform subscriptions is the latest in the evolution of Microsoft’s CSP program.

3. When will things change?

1. NCE preview went live earlier this year in October.
2. NCE will launch in January 2022
3. The ability to place new orders on the existing platform will end on March 10, 2022.
4. Microsoft will extend the period during which subscriptions can be renewed on the existing platform to June 30, 2022 (instead of the previous date of March 10, 2022).
5. There will be promotions available for monthly and 12-month term subscriptions for all seat-based offer types (except Windows 365) up to 2,400 seats
6. Microsoft expects partners to have transitioned all commercial annual term subscriptions in the existing CSP business to the new commerce experience by July 2023.

4. The Benefits of NCE

Transitioning to the new commerce experience positions you for future growth. Adopting seat-based offers in new commerce early in this phased transition will simplify licensing, give you additional term options.

5. What’s changed?

• To reflect the shift towards hybrid working and to support the technological advances in Office 365 and Microsoft 365, prices will increase. However, the longer you commit to the service, the better price agreement you will get.
• You won’t be able to move suppliers or cancel your contract partway through.
• Once your contract is up for renewal, you have a 72-hour cooling-off period where you can reduce your licenses. If you miss this slot, you will only be eligible for increases or upgrades.

6. What do you need to do now?

If you’re concerned about the changes and would like to speak to somebody at Trustmarque, then please contact your account manager or email us at [email protected] You can also register your interest in the webinar below where we will be discussing NCE in more detail.

Written by Julia Bluckert, Content and Communications Manager at Trustmarque