Microsoft News – January 2023

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.

Consistent Global Pricing for The Microsoft Cloud

On 5th January 2023 Microsoft announced that they are taking several steps to align the pricing of Microsoft Cloud products globally, meaning customers will have consistent pricing reflecting the exchange rate of the local currency to the US Dollar (USD).

Starting 1st April 2023, pricing for Microsoft Cloud products will be adjusted in the following currencies.

GBP: +9%

DKK, EUR and NOK: +11%

SEK: +15%

Please read our full announcement on our Software blog.

Microsoft Product Terms

Confirmation that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint/Cloud/Business products can be used on devices running on-premises, in Azure, and under the control of third parties.

SQL Server 2022 CSP availability and price list changes

There's additional information that you should now be aware of for the SQL Server 2022 launch.

SQL Server 2022 SKUs launched in CSP on 1^st January 2023.

We have the following updates and clarifications to the CSP offerings:

SQL Server 2022 CAL SKUs are currently not generally available. Until the price list is updated, later in Q1, with SQL Server 2022 CAL SKUs, SQL Server 2019 CAL SKUs are available for ordering.
The SQL Server 2022 Server + 10 CAL SKU is mislabelled as including 10 CALs. In the near future, the SKU label will be updated to SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Bridge to the Cloud 2 NCE promotion

On 1^st February 2023, Microsoft is launching the Bridge to the Cloud 2 NCE promotion.

This promotion offers eligible Dynamics on-premises commercial customers a 40% discount during a three-year term when migrating to most Dynamics 365 online products licensed through an eligible, partner-led NCE subscription.

This promotion applies to customers migrating from most Dynamics on-premises perpetual products purchased through DPL to functionally similar Dynamics 365 online offers for commercial customers with a three-year term on NCE.

Microsoft Teams Premium preview now available

Teams Premium preview is now available. IT admins can enrol in the trial through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and activate a free Teams Premium licensing trial.

On 16^th December Microsoft announced that Microsoft Teams Premium is broadly available for preview as a limited trial for commercial customers through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

The features under this offering began rolling out last December and will continue to roll out through January. General availability of Teams Premium is scheduled for early February 2023.

Teams Premium makes every meeting—from one-on-ones to large meetings, to virtual appointments, to webinars—more personalised, intelligent, and secure.