As part of the new Microsoft commerce experience, Microsoft has introduced the new Microsoft Partner Agreement (MPA). The aim of this agreement is to make the contract experience easier, to provide more transparency and to meet regulatory requirements.
The enrollment period has already started and all partners in the CSP program must accept it to continue transacting in the Cloud Solution Provider program.
The Cloud Solution Provider program will be the first partner channel to leverage the Microsoft Partner Agreement. The goals of the Microsoft Partner Agreement are to make the contracting experience easier, continue meeting regulatory requirements and provide a higher degree of transparency.
Main Changes
Timeline for Microsoft Partner Agreement
Documentation
A: The Microsoft Partner Agreement will be available on Partner Center starting 1st September 2019.
A: Simplification and reassurance! Partners will become up-to-date on compliance and privacy terms and gain an onboarding experience that meets compliance standards (anti-corruption, vetting, discount pass-through) and enables a simplified licensing experience to transact new and existing offers (Azure, Per User).
A: The Microsoft Cloud Reseller Agreement will expire on 31st August 2019 and is not renewable. New and existing Cloud Solution Provider partners are required to sign the MPA to continue transacting in the Cloud Solution Provider programme.
After 2nd January, Cloud Solution Provider partners that have not accepted the Microsoft Partner Agreement will be limited to the management and servicing of existing customers and subscriptions until 31st August 2020.
A: Each partner must accept the terms and conditions of the Microsoft Partner Agreement through Partner Center. It is the responsibility of each partner to ensure terms are either signed with pen, signed electronically or accepted via a click (in keeping with your country’s legal manner of acceptance) so that you can place an order with Microsoft. Indirect resellers are expected to onboard onto Partner Center and sign the Microsoft Partner Agreement relevant to them.