Microsoft News – December 2024

by Maybelline Middleton

Welcome to your monthly roundup of all the latest updates in the world of Microsoft. We’ll run through everything you need to know from critical dates to be aware of, to new product announcements. Check in on our blog every month to ensure you stay up to date.

Microsoft have just announced a 5-6% DECREASE in Cloud licensing costs!!!

Effective 1^st February 2025, Microsoft will be adjusting prices for its Commercial Cloud services to more closely align with global levels in the Brazilian Real (BRL) and British Pound (GBP) currencies.

We appreciate that this update, along with the recent announcement of price increases coming 1^st April 2025 may cause confusion. Bechtle can help you to navigate these changes and recommend the best plan for your business.

Please reach out to your Bechtle Account Manager for further support.

PROMO: 15% off Microsoft 365 E5

Starting 1st January 2025, Microsoft are offering a 15% discount for net new Microsoft 365 E5 CSP customers. Now is an opportune time to upgrade to Microsoft 365 E5 to enhance productivity and better protect your digital workers with the most capable and feature rich suite within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Fabric SKU Estimator

The Fabric workloads all consume the same Fabric Capacity Units and there's a new Fabric SKU Estimator tool to help customers identify the appropriate SKU for their needs, based on their data requirements, usage patterns, and workload combinations. The tool is currently in private preview.

Windows 365 Frontline Shared Mode

Microsoft announce that there's a new Shared Mode for Windows 365 Frontline which is now in public preview. The original mode, now called Dedicated Mode, is aimed at users with staggered working hours. This allows you to provision personalised Cloud PCs for up to three users for each Windows 365 Frontline licence as long as those Cloud PCs are used non-concurrently. The new mode is for when you want to provision a single Cloud PC which lots of people need to use for short periods on an ad hoc basis, perhaps for a specific task. Only one person can use the Cloud PC at a time, and when they sign out all user data is deleted.

Microsoft Places will be generally available by the end of 2024

Microsoft Places, an AI-powered workplace app for flexible work, will be generally available by the end of 2024. Places reimagines flexible work with AI by intelligently coordinating with coworkers to make the most of in-office days, modernising how employees connect, and optimising space management.

To help customers prepare for general availability, Microsoft have shared an overview of licensing options.

Customers with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription will have access to core Places features, which include setting up and updating their work plan, viewing collaborators’ work plans, accessing peek card experiences in the new calendar, scheduling in-person meetings, managing hybrid RSVPs, and workplace presence-related capabilities.

Customers with a Teams Premium license will have access to more features, such as Places finder, intelligent suggestions, Places explorer, team guidance, space analytics, and autorelease policies.

SKUs for Places core features:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Microsoft 365 or Office 365 E1, E3, E5
- Microsoft 365 or Office 365 F1, F3
SKUs for other Teams-specific features in Places core*:
- Microsoft Teams Essentials
- Microsoft Teams Enterprise
- Microsoft Teams EEA
SKUs for Places enhanced:
- Microsoft Teams Premium Introductory Pricing

* One of these Teams SKUs is required to access the Teams-specific features in Places core for customers who purchase Teams separately from a Microsoft 365 subscription.

PROMO: A 15% discount for eligible nonprofit customers on Microsoft 365 Copilot takes effect 1st November 2024

Microsoft 365 Copilot is now available to eligible nonprofits for $25.50 (USD RRP) per user per month when purchased as an annual subscription and billing cycle.

To purchase Microsoft 365 Copilot, customers must have or purchase a separate license for a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan.

Existing Microsoft 365 Copilot customers aren't eligible for the new pricing until their renewal after 1^st November 2024.

Discount details

Geography: The discount is available in all markets where Microsoft 365 Copilot is sold in CSP (Worldwide).

Customer eligibility: The discount applies to all eligible nonprofit customers (new and existing Microsoft 365 Copilot customers). Customers must purchase a new subscription; licenses added to preexisting subscriptions won't receive the nonprofit discount.

The discount is available on New Commerce Experience (NCE) only.

PROMO: 15% OFF MICROSOFT 365 E3 PROMO

New customers to M365 E3 can benefit from 15% off when purchasing up to 2,400 seats via CSP on an annual NCE term. This offers is valid until 30^th June 2025.

PROMO: 10% OFF DYNAMICS 365 BUSINESS CENTRAL

New Business Central customers who already have M365 Business Standard or M365 Business Premium customers can benefit from 15% off Dynamics for Business Central on an annual NCE term (300 seat max). Offer valid until 30^th June 2025.

PROMO: 15% OFF Microsoft 365 Copilot

On 1^st September, Microsoft announced 15% off Microsoft 365 Copilot for commercial customers on CSP. This provides customers with 15% off new subscriptions on an annual term between 10-300 Copilot licenses. This promotion is running until 31^st December 2024.