We’ve witnessed Microsoft evolve over the last 10 years from a set of programmes for word-processing, data-crunching, email-sending, and slide-presenting, into a powerful integrated software suite called Microsoft 365, comprising the world’s most popular productivity and communications platform.Â
Amazingly, we haven’t seen a significant price increase for commercial users in that time. And yet, we have benefitted from an evolution of Microsoft products and capabilities that have improved productivity and communications across businesses. Â
The graphic below shows the extent of Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program and how it has continued to adapt to the needs of global organisations of all sizes over the last decade. It also demonstrates how the changes haven’t just been minor, incremental updates, but rather, business-changing new products like Teams, that generously bundle everything together for free. Â
Which brings us to the latest in the evolution of the CSP program, the New Commerce Experience (NCE), delivering new value but at a higher subscription cost…Â
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Continuing to Deliver New Value Â
NCE marks a change in Microsoft’s pricing structure that reflects new additional features in Microsoft 365, but also Microsoft’s overall aim to provide cost savings for longer term commitments.Â
What is changing?Â
NCE equates to the following three major changes you need to be aware of:Â
- From 1 March 2022, monthly subscriptions will run alongside the existing annual subscriptions for commercial licences.
- The cost of your Microsoft 365 subscription will increase. But with that, you get additional features and make savings the longer you commit to your subscription.
- When you renew or start a new agreement, you will have 72 hours to downgrade licences, and you will not be able to move supplier or cancel your contract mid-agreement.
Who and what is affected?Â
NCE price changes only apply to commercial licences. (No changes to consumer or education products.)Â
Commercial users of the following Microsoft Packages:Â
- Microsoft 365 Business BasicÂ
- Microsoft 365 Business PremiumÂ
- Office 365 E1Â
- Office 365 E3Â
- Office 365 E5Â
- Microsoft 365 E3Â
When is this happening?Â
Microsoft started its release of introductory NCE promotions from October 2021, which will be available until 1 March 2022 when new prices take effect.Â
NCE officially launches on 10 January 2022 to give everyone three months’ notice for all new and renewing subscriptions to be purchased through NCE as of March 2022. Â
These Microsoft changes are going to happen, and we believe there are positives to be had from them and making the best of the news. Â
Microsoft 365 can continue to be the most cost-effective way for businesses to work, productively, securely, and collaboratively. We believe that your organisation just needs to maximise on the valuable tools available under your Microsoft licence. Â
We will lay out all the changes by adding updates here, and intend to keep our customers informed in plenty of time for the changes.Â
Watch this space for more information, and check out the resources below, including our free webinars taking place on 21 December 2021 and each week of January 2022, for more information.Â
Opportunities to learn more about NCE
Offset the NCE price increase
*Our MS365 eLearning Portal is available to CloudyIT customers for Self Service Online Training
