Appropriate roles: Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin
The following article answers some of the main questions Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partners have about their membership benefits and product licenses.
Membership
What is the process and timing for renewing Solutions Partner designations?
Your company can renew a Solutions Partner designation in Partner Center. You need to meet the Solutions area performance, skilling, and customer success requirements and pay the annual fee within the renewal window to retain Solutions Partner designation status and access to associated benefits.
Before renewing your membership, the Account admin for your company needs to review and update your business information. They can access the company profile in Partner Center to see the status and review what information needs to be updated. Extra documentation might be required to verify your information.
Your renewal window begins on the anniversary of your purchase date plus one day. For example, if your Anniversary date of the Membership offer is September 1, 2021, your 30-day renewal period begins on September 2, 2021. The users having the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program partner admin roles in your company receive the renewal communication leading up to your anniversary date and 30 days after. You keep your access to associated benefits during the renewal window.
For more, information, see Renew Membership Offer.
What is the process and timing for renewing gold and silver membership?
Gold and silver memberships were retired on September 30, 2022. However, if you were a gold or silver partner before September 30, 2022, who didn't qualify for the Solutions Partner designation, you can purchase the benefits that you held on September 30, 2022, when the renewal window opens. The renewal window opens the day after your anniversary date.
Partners can purchase or renew the legacy silver and legacy gold offers only until January 21, 2025. You can renew your legacy silver benefits until January 21, 2025, and keep those benefits until they expire one year later. Partners with an eligible active legacy silver/gold purchase status as of January 21, 2025, are eligible for the remainder of the FY25 Cloud Solution Program (CSP) incentive term (January 22, 2025, to September 30, 2025). Microsoft will no longer sell Microsoft Action Pack, Microsoft Learning Action Pack, or legacy silver/gold benefits starting January 22, 2025. For partners with legacy silver benefits, we recommend Partner Success Expanded Benefits, a comprehensive package designed for organizations that are ready to expand even further and deepen their partnership with Microsoft.
Can I change the legacy silver, legacy gold, or solutions partner designation benefits package midcycle?
No. The benefits package selected at the anniversary date is valid for 12 months and can't be changed midcycle. If a partner earns a Solutions Partner designation midcycle, the current benefits package remains the same until the next anniversary date. Benefits packages can only be changed at the anniversary date.
When can I renew my Microsoft Action Pack?
Your company can renew your Microsoft Action Pack in Partner Center during your renewal window.
Before renewing your Action Pack, the Account admin for your company needs to review and update your company's business information. They can access your company's profile in Partner Center to see your status and understand what information needs to be updated. Extra documentation might be required to verify your information.
Your renewal window begins on the anniversary of your purchase date plus one day. For example, if you purchased the Microsoft Action Pack on September 1, 2020, your 30-day renewal period begins on September 2, 2021. You keep access to associated benefits during the renewal window. Purchase of an action pack is disabled when an action pack offer is already active.
Partners can purchase or renew Microsoft Action Pack or Microsoft Learning Action Pack only until January 21, 2025. Microsoft will no longer sell Microsoft Action Pack, Microsoft Learning Action Pack, or legacy silver/gold benefits starting January 22, 2025. For partners with an existing Microsoft Action Pack or Learning Action Pack, we recommend the Partner Success Core Benefits and Partner Success Expanded Benefits packages, depending on the size and needs of your organization.
For more, information, see Renew your Membership offers for Solutions Partner designations during the renewal window.
What's the difference between the Microsoft Action Pack and the Learning Action Pack?
The Microsoft Action Pack is a portfolio of resources to help partners like you familiarize yourselves with Microsoft technologies and build your solution or service. You can purchase one Microsoft Action Pack whether you have a Solutions Partner designation or not.
The Learning Action Pack is the entry level into the Learning Partner Program. The Learning program provides resources for businesses who offer technology training and/or have a learning practice. The Learning Action Pack offers discounts on Courseware, Marketplace, and benefits to help partners become experts across various Microsoft product lines. Refer to the licensing table for the Microsoft Action Pack and the Learning Action Pack.
Partners can purchase or renew Microsoft Action Pack or Microsoft Learning Action Pack only until January 21, 2025. Microsoft will no longer sell Microsoft Action Pack, Microsoft Learning Action Pack, or legacy silver/gold benefits starting January 22, 2025. For partners with an existing Microsoft Action Pack or Learning Action Pack, we recommend the Partner Success Core Benefits and Partner Success Expanded Benefits packages, depending on the size and needs of your organization.
What happens to our competency or Action Pack benefits during the 30-day renewal period?
Per the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Agreement, you keep access to program benefits as long as your offer is active. Once a membership expires, access to benefits is lost.
For more, information, see Renew Cloud Partner Program Offer
Product licenses
Can a single token be used to unlocked multiple subscriptions?
No, you can't split tokens to unlock multiple subscriptions. The tokens must be used in the format provided. For example, a 25-license token can't be split into five different five-license tokens.
If we activated our token for cloud services on wrong tenants, or added licenses instead of extending, can we get a replacement token?
Replacement tokens for cloud service activations on wrong tenant and for licenses added by mistake on existing subscriptions can be issued one-time only, within 30 days after activation of the original token. Contact Support to get a key replacement.
For on-premises software product licenses, do we need to have a product key for installation?
Not all products require a product key. Product activation is required for Windows server and client operating systems and all Microsoft Office client applications.
Can we acquire more product keys if we consumed all installations and activations?
Some product keys issued are Multiple Activation Keys (MAK). These products have a finite number of installations, activations, or licenses. A product key stops working when all installations and activations are consumed. Extra activations for these product keys aren't granted.
What if we decide not to renew our Solutions Partner designation or legacy gold or silver benefits or Microsoft Action Pack, can we still use the on-premises software product licenses?
No. The on-premises software product licenses that are included with Solutions Partner designation or legacy gold or silver benefits pack and the Microsoft Action Pack aren't perpetual. You're entitled, and have the right, to use these licenses only during your membership. You need to obtain license rights via Commercial Licensing or uninstall any on-premises software obtained via the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program if you choose not to renew your membership offer.
Does Microsoft Action Pack include Visual Studio Enterprise subscription?
No, the Microsoft Action Pack includes Visual Studio Professional subscriptions only. The Partner Success Launch, Partner Success Score, and Partner Success Expanded packages include Visual Studio subscriptions.
Can we share the Visual Studio subscriptions that are included with Solutions Partner designation or legacy gold or silver benefits or Microsoft Action Pack?
No, Visual Studio subscriptions are licensed per user and must be assigned and activated to be valid. Sharing sign in credentials is prohibited.
How do we know how many product licenses our company has?
You can view and manage product licenses and other benefits in the Partner Center Benefits workspace under Developer tools. Learn more in Manage your Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits.
How can our company use the product licenses available to us?
We include product licenses for partners in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program who attain Solutions Partner designation or legacy gold or silver benefits or purchase a Microsoft Action Pack to help them build innovative solutions and become familiar with Microsoft products and technologies. To learn about how to use the product licenses, see Manage your Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program benefits.
Are there limitations to how our company can use the product licenses available to us?
Yes, there are limitations. Product license terms of use are different from commercial licenses acquired through Microsoft licensing programs. For more information, read Product licensing terms of use.
Product licenses don't include software assurance and there are some restrictions on product licenses.
How do we add more product licenses to what's already listed in Partner Center so that our company is covered?
The product licenses have different terms of use from commercial licenses acquired through Microsoft licensing programs. We recommend reviewing your options for meeting your company's licensing needs on the Microsoft Licensing page.
We recently merged with or acquired another company in the Microsoft Partner Center that has benefits. Do we get to keep all of our current product licenses when we use the account merge capability in Partner Center?
When you use the account merge capability in Partner Center, each account's existing benefits remain as is until the next renewal. Upon renewal, benefits that are included with Solutions Partner designation or legacy gold or silver benefits or Action Pack are implemented for the partner company's Partner global account.
To learn more about how the capability works and how to decide if it's right for your company, review the information about account merge.
We have questions about our company's product licenses in Partner Center. Where do we get help?
You can ask Partner Center AI assistant any questions you have about your company's benefit product licenses.
When are my benefits expiring?
You can determine the expiry dates of your benefits using the following Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program date constructs. You can also ask Partner Center AI assistant what your benefits expiration date is.
Membership start date: The commencement of membership is on the date of purchase for MAPS, legacy silver, legacy gold, and Solutions Partner. Benefits are provided on the same day.
Membership end date: The membership ends after one year from the initial start date. Renewal is possible within 30 days following the one-year period to maintain continuous benefits. Alternatively, you can repurchase membership at any time after the expiration of the initial purchase and unlock benefits of the membership.
Benefits activate by: The benefits activate by date is the date until when the benefits unlocked remain available for redemption for 13 months from the Membership start date. Benefits expire if not redeemed within this timeframe.
Benefits start date and expiry date (after benefits redemption):
| Benefit type | Expiration timeline |
|---|---|
| Azure credits | 12 months from benefits unlocked date. |
| Cloud services | 12 months from the date when the keys were redeemed on the Microsoft admin portal. |
| Developer tools | 12 months from benefits unlocked date. |
| Support and advisory benefits | 12 months from benefits unlocked date. |
| Marketing benefits | 12 months from benefits unlocked date. |