for M365 admins

Microsoft uses Microsoft's new fiscal year is here and that means that they start measuring success on different criteria. It also means updates to the partner program.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july

Agent 365 licensing pre-reqs have loosened up.

Microsoft 365 E5/A5/Business Premium
Microsoft Defender Suite and Microsoft Purview Suite
Microsoft Defender Suite Edu and Microsoft Purview Suite Edu
Microsoft Defender and Purview Suite FLW

Windows 365 has a 25% off promo for new AND existing customers.

Copilot and Copilot Business get 15% for a full year.

The partner code of conduct has been updated to include: Microsoft partners may be required to participate in, and successfully complete anti-corruption and remediation programs related to this PCoC or other Microsoft partner programs or offers.

Combo licensing now available.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot: 23.50 USD per user per month (300-license maximum, annual subscription with annual billing)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot: 32 USD per user per month (300-license maximum, annual subscription with annual billing)

The Copilot Specialization requirement have changed. Seem simpler now. Should be a good differentiator for MSPs who have it.

Those were the highlights IMO. Read the full article here. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july

In the Newsletter this week

4 things to know: Microsoft uses AI to approve Expenses by risk level; Sadly Cowork has brutal pricing; Everyone knows an iPad user now you can work with them; Listen to James and I debate the merits of leaving a proposal with the prospect at the first meeting.

From Third Tier: The world of IT is moving faster than ever, which means that tech skills are falling behind faster than ever. Continuing education isn't optional. Sign up to Keep up!

4 things to do: Print spoolers are an open door - close it; How do get powershell scripts to deploy in Intune; The 13th edition of the M365 for IT Pros book is out; OneDrive gets a new domain and a Shortcuts folder

Join me in Omaha for a two-day conference at the end of July. In person! I'll be speaking on opportunities for monetization within your MSP stack for AI services: http://bit.ly/kernanmastermind

I hope that you enjoy this week's newsletter and tell everyone to subscribe.

thanks, Amy

4 things to know: Read how Microsoft approves expenses with AI; Sadly Cowork has brutal pricing; Everyone knows an iPad user now you can work with them; Listen to James and I debate the merits of leaving a proposal with the prospect at the first meeting.

Simplifying expense approvals at Microsoft with AI-powered risk assessment - Inside Track Blog

See how we’re using an Intelligent Risk Engine at Microsoft to improve the efficiency and consistency of expense approvals while mitigating risk.

www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Copilot Cowork Review: Great Product, Brutal Pricing

tminus365.com

Co-create documents with Copilot in Word for iPad

We’re bringing a feature many of you already use on desktop, web, and mobile to Word for iPad: the ability to collaborate with Microsoft 365 Copilot directly...

techcommunity.microsoft.com

Should You Give a Proposal at the First Meeting? SMB Sales Strategies Explored

The conversation focused on the practice of providing managed service pricing to customers during an initial meeting. One concept discussed was that MSPs are en

smbcommunitypodcast.com

From Third Tier: Continuing education isn't a wish, it's mandatory. Sign up! to Keep up!

M365 + Security Continued Learning

Experience continuous learning with our monthly newsletter and on going course on Microsoft 365 and Security. Enhance your knowledge and stay up-to-date!

www.thirdtier.net