As of the 16th of January 2024, Microsoft have introduced a range of changes that are designed to expand access for partners to deploy secure and integrated AI solutions to their customers. By understanding these changes, partners will be able to take the initiative to deliver a significant value-adding AI offering that complements the customers existing environment.
The January 16th changes increase both the range of customers that are eligible for Microsoft Copilot 365, the range of partners eligible to access these licenses as well as the feature-set included within the license. These changes represent an opportunity in the short-term for additional license revenue as well as significant opportunity for longer term services revenue. Partners leading the AI strategy for a customer are typically more entrenched within that account with services that are integrated with the client’s core business processes.
Why is it important to fast-track your Microsoft Copilot for 365 offering?
Because your customers are currently actively looking for partners who can assist them to plan and implement an increase in AI utilisation.
In fact, 87% of organisations believe that AI will give them a competitive edge[i].
With the increasing the pace of work, AI represents the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage[ii].
- 64% of people have struggled with finding time and energy to get their work done.
- 3x Amount by which time spent in Microsoft Teams meetings and calls has increased per week since February 2020.
- 70% Share of people who would delegate as much as possible to AI to lessen their workloads.
- 2x Likelihood of a leader to say AI will provide value by boosting productivity vs. cutting headcount.
How the January 16th changes expand the access and features of Microsoft Copilot for 365
As of January 16th 2024 Copilot for Microsoft 365 is generally available across all sales channels including Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) new commerce – and Semantic Index for Copilot has been included within selected license types. As of this date:
- Commercial customers with Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Office 365 E3/E5, and Microsoft 365 Business Standard/Business Premium prerequisite base SKUs will be able to purchase the Copilot for Microsoft 365 add-on SKU across all sales channels – CSP, EA, MCA-E, EAS, and direct from Microsoft online.
- Education customers with Microsoft 365 A3/A5, and Office 365 A3/A5 will be able to purchase through EES.
- There is no longer a minimum seat purchase requirement for Copilot for Microsoft 365 across all channels and segments; however, customers must have a product license of one of the prerequisite base SKUs for each seat of Copilot for Microsoft 365 they purchase.
- To help every customer get AI-ready, Office 365 E3 and E5 licenses will include Semantic Index for Copilot. Semantic Index for Copilot is critical to getting relevant, actionable responses to prompts in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Partners can refer to the announcement in Partner Center for more information on how to transact Microsoft 365 Copilot today.
Get on the front foot! How to get started today.
- Given that Microsoft Copilot is currently available to all Entra ID users at no additional cost, this is a great starting point to engage a customer at the beginning of their AI journey.
- Take steps to fully understand the difference between the free Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Copilot 365 to help customers who are ready to progress to more integrated, contextual and secure AI solutions.
- Ensure customer eligibility by assisting them to move to the prerequisite SKUs to qualify for Microsoft 365
- Start preparing your knowledge and capabilities to be well positioned to take full advantage of this rapidly emerging commercial opportunity. Consider the resources below to help you get started and watch out for upcoming regular updates designed to assist partners to increase their readiness and revenues from Microsoft Copilot 365:
- Visit the AI-Powered Future of Work site for guidance and resources to help you define your strategy, develop your skills, and prepare to go to market.
- Learn more about the Copilot 365 services and solution opportunities.
- Contact your Leader Account manager to find out how we can assist you with positioning yourselves to maximise Microsoft Copilot 365 revenue.
Given that AI is expected to fuel a fundamental shift in worker experience across every software category, Microsoft Copilot 365 is ideally placed to dominate the advance in AI productivity and associated ROI with the help of our skilled partners.
Contact your Leader Account Manager today to find out how we can assist you with positioning yourselves to maximise Microsoft Copilot 365 revenue.
[i] Sam Ransbotham, Shervin Khodabandeh, David Kiron, François Candelon, Michael Chu, and Burt LaFountain
Expanding AI’s Impact With Organizational Learning
MIT Sloan Management Review (2020)
[ii] Source: Work Trend Index Annual Report: Will AI Fix Work? Microsoft, 9 May 2023
