Microsoft’s recent updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot licensing opens significant opportunities for IT solutions providers and managed service providers (MSPs) to expand services with end customers of all sizes.

When it was first made generally available back in November 2023, Microsoft 365 Copilot was limited to specific enterprise licenses, such as the E3 and E5 plans. Businesses were also required to commit to a minimum of 300 seats, priced at $30 per seat per month. This high entry barrier made it challenging for most small and medium-sized businesses to afford the investment needed to use the solution, which exceeded $100,000 a year.

>> Related: Watch our webinar about Getting Your Customers Ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot Licensing

In January 2024, everything changed. Microsoft eliminated the seat minimum and extended eligibility to a wider range of licenses, including Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium. The decision opened the door to smaller groups of users and SMBs, empowering a broader spectrum of organizations to harness GenAI for productivity and creativity.

The Expanded Microsoft 365 Copilot Ecosystem

Alongside licensing adjustments, Microsoft also introduced Copilot Pro, designed for individual power users, and launched mobile app versions for both Android and iOS. These apps offer on-the-go AI assistance, integrating seamlessly with productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

For the IT partner’s client base, this means access to the latest AI advancements in familiar applications, fostering a more productive and interconnected workspace.

How to guide your customers to Microsoft 365 Copilot readiness

Keeping up to speed on licensing is important, but there is much more to be done if you are IT solutions partner or MSP. Your customers are hoping to embark on a major, transformational journey, and they need your guidance at every step.

As we’ve written about before, there are three keys to helping your customers successfully adopt Microsoft 365 Copilot:

– Licensing and Costs: Keeping current with licensing entitlements, usage rates and financial implications is vital for helping clients build the business case for Copilot.

– Security and Zero Trust: Microsoft is positioning Copilot as an opportunity to modernize security. Partners must ensure customers align with zero-trust principles and identify gaps to help strengthen controls.

– Standardization: Standardizing end-user productivity applications on the Microsoft suite is ideal for delivering a cost-effective, high-impact rollout. How will you help customers identify redundancies and streamline adoption?

How Block 64 Empowers Partners

Across each stage of the Copilot journey, partners need access to dependable IT inventory data and usage metrics. But manual processes and off the shelf discovery tools make it difficult, time consuming, and sometimes impossible for partners to gather the insights they need to fully support their customers in planning for Copilot.

That’s where Block 64 can help.

Block 64 offers a Microsoft 365 Copilot readiness assessment. This tool is engineered to provide partners and MSPs with the comprehensive analysis required to navigate the three pillars effectively, enabling them to deliver informed recommendations and cultivate a more robust Microsoft 365 Copilot consulting practice.

Exclusive Trial Opportunity: We’re providing partners with a unique trial offer. This allows you to conduct an initial assessment for an eligible customer of your choice, free of charge. It’s an excellent way to introduce your clients to the possibilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot and the consultative prowess of your services.

For more details on the assessment, please visit our Microsoft 365 Copilot assessment landing page or contact sales, today.