Microsoft has proposed the agreement based on a few valid reasons like simplifying the contracting procedure, clarifying and distinguishing roles and responsibilities in reference to regulatory requirements and to ensure there’s transparency for Microsoft and Microsoft partner network.

The new Agreement

In the latest Microsoft partner agreement, Microsoft replaces all previous Microsoft Agreements for Indirect Resellers and Indirect provider like the Microsoft Cloud Distributor Agreement (MCDA), the Microsoft Cloud Reseller Agreement Multi-Tier Amendment, Microsoft Cloud Reseller Agreement (MCRA), and the Microsoft Cloud Reseller Agreement for US Government Cloud. It also replaces Terms and Conditions Agreement.

The Microsoft partner agreement has a multiple business Microsoft CSP benefits to Partners like:

• Improved transparency that leads to Protection of long-term growth and a smooth business sail for Microsoft partner network.
• Easier adherence to solid business practices and privacy regulations
• Better understanding of roles and responsibilities for a continuous service delivery
• Establishment of trust due to adherence and strong business channel with sound business practices in Microsoft partner network.
• Providing administration access to third-party technical and customer service providers with full confidence.

What Partners need to do?

For organizations already under a CSP Program who are direct bill, indirect providers or indirect resellers, they need to sign up the latest MPA before the deadline approaches. The newer MPA addresses legal concerns in a better manner. Accepting the new Microsoft partner agreement allows for smooth transactions through Partner Center API or User Interface (aka Partner Center Dashboard). Failure to accept the MPA will lead to your organization not being able to add new subscriptions or add seats to existing subscriptions under the CSP Program and the Microsoft partner network. However, the organization will still be able to administer existing subscribers and users. The final deadline to accept the MPA and stay within the CSP Program is Aug. 31, 2020.

MachSol is providing guidance to CSPs including indirect resellers, indirect providers and Direct billing CSPs to adhere to the latest Partner agreement proposed by Microsoft for a smooth and streamlined Cloud Provision and administration experience.

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MachPanel Automation Platform for Microsoft CSP

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Get on board with MachPanel to cater for all your CSP requirements regarding the new MPA and stay right on track with the latest CSP requirements.

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The post All You Need to Know about the New Microsoft Partner Agreement for CSP partners appeared first on MachSol Blog.

The latest Customer Agreement

The idea behind these changes in agreement is to replace Enterprise Agreements and the Azure Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE). These are two currently active Agreements to purchase Azure services. But the change in agreement is not going to affect the service delivery. “Modern Commerce” is Microsoft modernized vision to simplify Azure pricing and purchasing options.

With the new MCA, customers are expected to stay more in control of their own Azure cloud services and will not require the “level of administrative support” that they currently require. According to Stephen White, a research director in Gartner, the MCA approach will result into lower partner profits “like it eliminates the partner role as licensing advisers on Azure services”.

To move forward in the direction of “automated, digital purchase experience”, Microsoft has reduced a number of contracts and agreements and introduced MCA – a single, non-expiring contract for Azure customers. For those who have experience with purchasing through Microsoft Store for Business, MCA is something they are already familiar with. Going forward, MCA pricing is bound to change in the future because it isn’t providing any pricing protection for its customers.

Options for Azure Provider

This brings us to the question: what are the options left for those who have taken up Azure-only Server and Cloud Enrollment for their cloud business?  One option is to extend the SCE agreement. With that you can get access to services such as Azure, billed every four months at then current Consumption Rate” for the price level of your service with an additional 3% administrative fee. Though, this option isn’t going to last long.

Let’s have a look at some good options for purchasing Azure:

• Purchase via EA

The Agreement change announcement only mentions Server & Cloud Enrollment (SCE), so there is still an option to purchase Monetary Commitment via an EA. Again, officials from Microsoft predict that this option will soon be not available.

• Purchase via MCA

This is the “non-expiring” option that will be applicable from March. It’s an 11-page digital document that you need to accept in order to start purchasing directly from Microsoft.

• Purchase via CSP

This is again a good option. The Microsoft CSP program is a popular preference for purchasing Online Services, especially Azure. Since the MPSA agreement has been phased out, CSP Program simplifies Azure cloud services offering to customers so that they can purchase from CSPs directly.

From now, Microsoft has left its customers with two options to purchase Azure: via MCA (Microsoft Customer Agreement) and via CSP (Cloud Solution Provider). Agreement changes are not-so-interesting but necessary for a fuller picture in the future. MCA is the initial step towards Microsoft’s modernized simplified purchasing vision: “Modern Commerce”.

The post The latest Microsoft Azure Cloud Agreement and Azure Service Provision Options for CSPs appeared first on MachSol Blog.

CSPs now have to provide confirmation regarding the acceptance of MCA from the customers, before CSPs and resellers can place order of Microsoft Products and Services.

The new process

In the Partner dashboard, there exists a new addition to assist Microsoft Partners to better comply with new requirements. A Partner Center API is introduced along with the dashboard to provide information to partners. Partners have been required to adhere to confirmation from customer about the acceptance of this agreement on all transactions. Microsoft validates the format of emails after which the partner needs to correct the information if any piece of information is found incorrect.

The responsibility of customers accepting the Microsoft Cloud Agreement lies with the Microsoft Partner and also should keep a record of it. API users’ deadline for the compliance of these requirements has increased. It is now March 22, 2019. After this date, whenever a CSP Partner initiates any kind of transaction for customers (Existing or new) using Partner Center API, the information regarding customer information shall be checked before the transaction proceeds.

Since august 2018, there have been two methods to assist Partners: The Partner Center API and Partner Center Dashboard. In the former method, the acceptance is confirmed programmatically whereas in latter case, customer acceptance is confirmed manually.

When customers buy from an indirect reseller, they are buying the products that are developed by Microsoft, not the indirect seller. Hence, Microsoft expects the customers to accept the Microsoft Cloud Agreement set forth by Microsoft. It is for all the consumers who consume Microsoft Products.

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MachPanel – Your gateway to Cloud Business Success

The popular Multi-Cloud Service Orchestration & Delivery Platform – MachPanel, provides excellent services in Cloud Business Automation. It is the favorite control panel of Hosters which has also gained popularity in the Telco industry. MachPanel offers various automation modules for your business-like SharePoint, Exchange, Skype for Business, Hyper-V, turnkey solution deployments and much more. It provides SaaS and IaaS to CSPs for the growth of their business.

So, all you CSPs out there grab this opportunity to make MachPanel automate your business for better growth and scalability.

Lets TalkRequest a Demo

The post The Latest Change in Microsoft Cloud Agreement and how it can affect Cloud Business appeared first on MachSol Blog.