New Year. New Microsoft Agreement.
Microsoft have announced that from 1 March 2019 commercial customers will be able to purchase Azure Services directly from Microsoft through a new Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA).
They have also confirmed that from 1 August 2019 new and renewing direct commercial customers will no longer be able to consume Azure services via an Enterprise Agreement (EA). This includes the Azure dedicated Server & Cloud Enrolment (SCE), a variation of an Enterprise Agreement.
This means that organisations will now have the option to either consume direct via the new Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) or the partner-led Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program.
Please note that the new MCA does not currently affect the Public Sector, Charities or Housing Associations, but as a trusted Microsoft Gold Partner, we always aim to ensure that everyone has all of the facts and most up-to-date information.
As a channel-centric organisation, Microsoft strongly recommend that customers work with their partner ecosystem to ensure that they are getting the most from their Azure environments and the constant advancements being made to the Azure platform.
Read the full details of this new agreement on the Microsoft website here.