Microsoft Partner Center Compliance Overhaul and New Cloud Subscription Promotions Launch June 2025

Microsoft is rolling out two significant updates for its partner ecosystem in 2025: a major overhaul of Microsoft Partner Center compliance and attestation processes, and a suite of new promotions for Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners. Both changes are designed to streamline operations, enhance security, and provide partners with greater flexibility and value when serving customers.

Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) Attestation: Compliance and Security First

Starting October 7, 2025, Microsoft is tightening compliance around the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) for all partners. The company is retiring the current API and Partner Center user experience (UX) for MCA attestation, replacing them with a new, enhanced partner attestation API. This change means that partners will no longer be able to use the old API or the UX-based attestation process. Instead, they must either integrate the new API or require new customers to accept the MCA directly through the Microsoft 365 admin center before placing any orders.

The MCA bulk attestation tool, which allowed partners to attest to multiple customer agreements at once, will become read-only after May 7, 2025, and will be fully retired by January 2026. This transition is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to improve compliance, protect intellectual property, and enhance security across its partner ecosystem. The new API is available in sandbox environments for partners to begin integration and testing as of April 11, 2025.

Partners who do not transition to the new API by the October 7 deadline will be required to have new customers directly accept the MCA before any orders can be placed. Existing attestations or direct customer acceptances completed before this date will remain valid and do not need to be reaccepted. Only net new customers-those for whom a partner wants to attest on their behalf-will be impacted by these changes.

Microsoft emphasizes that these changes are essential for maintaining trust and compliance within the partner ecosystem. “Microsoft runs on trust. Operating compliantly is essential to maintaining trust with our customers, and partners play an important role in ensuring compliance,” the company stated in its official announcement.

Microsoft Partner Center: New Promotions and Offerings for Cloud Solution Providers

In parallel with the compliance changes, Microsoft is launching new promotions and subscription options for CSP partners, effective June 1, 2025. These updates are designed to help partners transition customers from on-premises solutions or upgrade them from Office 365 to the latest Microsoft 365 offerings.

Highlights of the New CSP Promotions

Three-Year Subscription Terms for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5: Partners can now offer three-year subscription terms for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5, with or without Teams, and Teams Enterprise in the CSP program. These plans are available with upfront or annual billing options and require a minimum purchase of 100 licenses, up to a maximum of 2,400 licenses. The promotions are available to new-to-offer customers only and run from June 9 to December 31, 2025.

1. 10% Discount for New-to-E3/E5 Customers: To incentivize adoption, Microsoft is offering a 10% discount for customers who are new to Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 and commit to a three-year term. This promotion is available in all markets and is intended to help partners upsell and retain customers.
2. 15% Discount on Microsoft 365 Copilot: The popular 15% discount on Microsoft 365 Copilot in the CSP program has been extended through June 30, 2025. This promotion applies to new and existing Copilot customers with qualifying subscriptions and allows for flexible additions up to 2,400 licenses during the subscription term.
3. E5 Security and E5 Compliance Mini Suite Promotions: Starting July 1, 2025, partners can offer three-year terms for the Microsoft 365 E5 Security and E5 Compliance mini suites. These promotions are available to new-to-offer customers and require a minimum of 100 licenses, with no upper limit up to 1 million licenses. Billing options include upfront and annual payments.

Additional Process Improvements

Microsoft has also introduced process improvements to make it easier for partners to transition customers from Enterprise Agreements (EA) to CSP and to reduce the processing time for midterm upgrades. An AI assistant in Partner Center now automates the cancellation and credit support process for duplicate subscriptions resulting from upgrades, streamlining support and reducing ticket processing times.

What Partners Should Do Next

With these changes, Microsoft is giving partners more tools and incentives to drive customer success, but it is also raising the bar for compliance and security. Here are the key actions partners should take:

1. Review and Integrate the New MCA Attestation API: Begin testing and integrating the new partner attestation API in your sandbox environment. Ensure your teams are aware of the upcoming changes and the October 7, 2025, deadline for transitioning away from the old API and UX-based attestation.
2. Prepare for the Retirement of the Bulk Attestation Tool: After May 7, 2025, the MCA bulk attestation tool will be read-only and will be fully retired by January 2026. Plan accordingly and update your internal processes to use the new API or direct customer acceptance for net new orders.
3. Leverage the New CSP Promotions: Take advantage of the new three-year subscription terms and discounts for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Copilot, and the E5 Security and Compliance mini suites. Use these promotions to help customers transition to the cloud and adopt the latest Microsoft technologies.
4. Stay Informed: Regularly check the Microsoft Partner Center announcements and attend upcoming training sessions to stay up to date on the latest changes and best practices.

Microsoft’s May 2025 updates represent a significant step forward in partner compliance, security, and value. By streamlining attestation processes and offering new, flexible subscription options, Microsoft is empowering partners to deliver better outcomes for their customers while maintaining the highest standards of trust and security. Partners who act now to integrate the new API and leverage the latest promotions will be well-positioned for success in the evolving cloud landscape.