CSP Partner Insights Series – Monthly Key Updates – May 2025

Important Changes to Microsoft’s CSP Program for Indirect Reseller

Microsoft has announced key updates to the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program designed to strengthen partner capabilities, improve security, and drive consistent performance across the channel. These changes affect all Indirect Reseller and will be enforced from October 1, 2025.

What’s Changing?

1.  Authorisation Requirements

To remain an authorised Microsoft CSP Indirect Reseller, partners must:

• Complete Microsoft’s business vetting process
• Sign the Indirect Reseller Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA)
• Generate a minimum of USD 1,000 in CSP revenue over any rolling 12-month period
• Complete all mandatory security tasks in Partner Center by July 1, 2025

 2. Incentive Eligibility Requirements

To continue receiving Microsoft rebates and incentives, partners must:

• Achieve a Solutions Partner designation, or
• Earn 25 Partner Capability Points in each solution area:
  • Modern Work
  • Business Applications
  • Azure
• Generate at least USD 25,000 in CSP revenue over a rolling 12-month period

Key Dates to Remember

• July 1, 2025: Complete all Partner Center security score tasks
• October 1, 2025: New CSP authorisation and incentive rules go live

What You Should Do Now

• Review your current status in Partner Center: revenue, capability points, and security score
• Ensure all security score tasks are completed by July 1
• Start working towards a Solutions Partner designation or increasing capability points

For full details, you can view Microsoft’s announcement here. 

Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA) Update

Microsoft is updating its Microsoft Partner Agreement in Partner Center. No action is required — the new terms will take effect automatically from October 4, 2025.

MCA Attestation Tools Are Changing

From October 7, 2025, Microsoft will only accept the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) via:

• A new enhanced Partner Attestation API, or
• Direct customer acceptance

Microsoft will block new customer orders unless one of these methods is used.

• Sandbox availability: API available for testing from April 11, 2025
• Bulk attestation: After May 7, 2025, the MCA bulk tool will become read-only
• Retirement: Current attestation API and Partner Center UX will be retired on October 7, 2025

Updates to Microsoft’s Technology for Social Impact (TSI) Program

Effective July 1, 2025, Microsoft will discontinue free grant offers for Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1. These free licenses will expire at the customer’s next renewal date on or after this date. Paid licenses are not affected by this change

New 3-Year Subscription Option for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5

Starting June 1, 2025, Microsoft will introduce three-year subscription terms for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, and Microsoft Teams Enterprise in the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. These can be billed upfront, annually, or every three years.

Partners can also update existing End of Sale (EOS) subscriptions for Microsoft 365 and Office 365 Enterprise suites with Teams to the new three-year terms. For details, refer to Manage term duration and billing frequency.

Promotions Supporting the 3-Year Launch

Starting June 9, 2025, Microsoft will offer:

• 10% off Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 (with or without Teams) for new customers purchasing under a 3-year CSP subscription
• 15% off Microsoft 365 Copilot, valid through June 30, 2025

Promotion Details:

• Available for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 (with or without Teams)
• 3-year term only
• Upfront or annual billing
• For new-to-offer customers
• Minimum 100 licenses, maximum 2,400
• Runs June 9 – December 31, 2025

Final Tip

Stay ahead of these changes by reviewing your partner standing and planning now to meet the new criteria. Let us know how we can support you.

Reach the Synnex CSP team at  csp@au.synnex-grp.com

We’ll be back next month with more updates and insights.