Microsoft has announced a series of updates for March 2026. This blog covers changes to products, solutions, services, partner programs, and other key information. Let us look at the latest news updates.
Introducing Microsoft 365 E7—a new productivity suite designed to drive Frontier transformation
- On the 9th March 2026 Microsoft announced the launch of a new Microsoft 365 E7 Enterprise license that will be generally available on 1st May 2026.
- Discover the upsell opportunities that the Microsoft 365 E7 launch offers by reading our Infinigate Cloud article.
- Review Microsoft’s announcement HERE.
Reminder: Revised timelines for Extended Service Terms in CSP
- Extended Service Terms enforcement in CSP will now begin on 4 May 2026, instead of 1st April 2026.
- Watch our Infinigate Cloud Microsoft Extended Service Terms Updates webinar recording that took place on 4th March 2026 to find out what it means for you and how CORE with Infinigate Cloud will help you with these changes.
Microsoft 365 Copilot March Updates
- Read our Infinigate Cloud article to find out all the latest updates for Microsoft 365 Copilot HERE
Security Dashboard for AI: Now in Public Preview
- Microsoft announced the Security Dashboard for AI, previously announced at Microsoft Ignite, is now generally available. This unified dashboard aggregates posture and real-time risk signals from Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Entra, and Microsoft Purview.
- Existing Microsoft Security customers can start using Security Dashboard for AI today. It is included when a customer has the Microsoft Security products Defender, Entra and Purview with no additional licensing required.
- To begin using the Security Dashboard for AI, visit http://ai.security.microsoft.com or access the dashboard from the Defender, Entra or Purview portals.
- Review Microsoft’s announcement HERE.
March monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update
- Key changes include specialisation updates that integrate AI capabilities, revised skilling, and performance requirements, and streamlined qualification frameworks to support partner growth and agility.
- Review Microsoft’s Monthly update for more information.
Microsoft EA discount removal: the CSP conversion opportunity partners can act on now
- Microsoft recently announced the removal of discounts for Enterprise Agreement (EA) customers read our Infinigate Cloud article to understand the Partner opportunity this bring for Cloud Solutions Providers(CSP).
Introducing the New Azure Frontier Offer
- Microsoft has launched the FY26 Azure Frontier Offer (AFO) a new, limited‑time, post-sales offer designed specifically for Data & AI growth.
- Check out our Infinigate Cloud article for more information on the Azure Frontier offer (AFO), including an overview of the offer, which workloads qualify, and steps to begin.
Extended promotion on Microsoft Sentinel 50-GB commitment tier in public preview
- Microsoft has extended the Sentinel 50GB commitment tier promotional offer until 30 June 2026 from 31 March 2026.
FY26 Modern Work Partner Activities updates
- New FY26 Modern Work Partner Activities updates are available.
- The expansion of Copilot + Power and Secure AI Productivity initiatives, along with new Cloud Endpoints opportunities, provides partners with increased flexibility, improved performance measurement, and enhanced coverage across a wider range of deals.
- Get the full details in this Microsoft blog
New Microsoft Azure assets for SMB audiences
- Explore the Azure SMB content collection
Update to specialisation criteria
- Microsoft is updating how specialisation performance criteria are calculated to make qualification clearer and more consistent.
- Performance metrics now use standard rounding—partners within 0.5% of the requirement may now qualify to enrol in or renew a specialisation.
- Review Microsoft’s update HERE
New process to redeem cloud benefits
- Microsoft is streamlining how partners access and redeem the license-based cloud benefits that come with their partner benefits packages.
- Cloud benefits will now be redeemed through a guided experience that starts in Partner Center and is completed via a zero USD purchase flow, ensuring benefits are securely deposited and easy to manage.
- Review Microsoft’s update HERE
Business Applications UI update
- Partners can now easily find baseline monthly consumed value (MCV) status for Solutions Partner designation (SPD) for Business Applications in Partner Centre.
- You can view the updated UI in Partner Centre.
Partner Buzz brings dynamic news view to Partner Hub
- Microsoft have created Partner Buzz, your first stop for partner-centric news, resources, events, and program updates pertaining to AI Business Solutions.
- Checkout the new Partner Buzz AI Business Solutions news site today.
New! Agent engagement materials available
- Microsoft released refreshed agent-focused engagement material packages to help partners accelerate customer outcomes with agents, from early envisioning through scaled deployment and adoption, whether you are leveraging the Copilot + Power Accelerate engagements program or not.
- Download the updated materials for the Envisioning and PoC for Agents and the Deployment Accelerator for Agents engagements.
New! Copilot + Agents partner practice development guide
- Download the Copilot and Agents partner practice development guide and start using it to grow your practice.
- Register for the session: Building a Scalable Copilot + Agents Practice – Practice Development Guide Walkthrough.
Copilot monetisation for SMBs: Start with Copilot Chat, scale with agents
- Discover Copilot monetisation options for partners serving SMBs in this Microsoft five-part blog series
- Read the first blog in the series to learn how to get the AI journey started with your SMB customers
- Check out the new Copilot monetisation for partners video series
Explore enhanced partner benefits for Copilot Studio
- The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) partner benefits include expanded access to Microsoft Copilot Studio licenses through Copilot Credit capacity packs for partners that have attained Business Applications partner designations and related specialisations.
New! Sales agents use case guide
- This new use case guide provides an overview of customer scenarios where Microsoft first-party agents like Microsoft Sales Research Agent or building a custom agent with Copilot Studio can add immediate impact.
- Download the Sales agents use case guide.
Updated! Business Central assets
- Explore recently updated key Business Central decks.
- Visit the Business Central page on Partner Hub to stay up to date on the latest partner updates and resources.
Scheduled and Recent Events:
- 8th – 10th April – Accelerate Agentic AI
- 15th – 17th April – Agentic DevOps with GitHub
- 15th – 16th April – Microsoft Fabric Workshops
- 29th – 30th April – AI Ready: How to make workloads well architected
- 5th -8th May – Driving more deals in a Presales role
- On-demand – Converged Communications Partner Sales Bootcamp
- On-demand – Agentic AI + Copilot, Partner Skills Accelerator
- On-demand – Level UP Sales & Technical CSP bootcamps
For more information
If you’d like to discuss any of the above, please speak to your Business Development Manager, call us on 0345 249 3303 or email us at partners@infinigate.cloud and we’ll be happy to chat through any of your questions.