If you are a Microsoft partner you will probably have become aware that in January the Microsoft Action Pack that has been around for the better part of two decades is going away. There are several options but for most small partners the replacement is called the Partner Launch Benefits pack. Obviously they are different and there are some important differences that you may care about..
For instance:
- the new Partner Launch Benefits include copilot seats whereas the Action Pack does not
- the Action Pack includes $1200 worth of azure credits and Partner Launch Benefits only include $700 for azure
- the Partner Launch Benefits max out a 1TB of OneDrive space per user, whereas the old Action Pack had unlimited space
Here’s a more detailed comparison table listing the features of the Partner Launch Benefits and the Microsoft Action Pack:
| Feature | Partner Launch Benefits | Microsoft Action Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $345 USD/year | $475 USD/year |
| Microsoft 365 Licenses | 5 seats Microsoft 365 Business Premium 1TB Maximum OneDrive Bing Chat Enterprise/Copilot | 5 seats Microsoft 365 E3 Unlimited OneDrive Size No Copilot options |
| Azure Credits | $700 USD/year | $100 USD/month (totaling $1,200 USD/year) |
| Dynamics 365 | Business Central and Sales Enterprise | Not Included |
| Visual Studio | Professional | Not Included |
| Technical Support * | Essential support (See Below) | 10 product support incidents (See Below) |
| Advisory Hours | None | 5 technical advisory hours |
| Marketing Resources | Ready-to-go marketing assets | Self-serve marketing resources |
| Microsoft Branding | Self Service | Microsoft branding |
| Training ** | Many (See Below) | Unlimited access to virtual instructor-led technical courses and certification |
| Product Support | See TECHNICAL SUPPORT above | Break-and-fix troubleshooting assistance for on-premises products |
| Partner Directory | Opportunity to be listed in the Microsoft partner directory | Opportunity to be listed in the Microsoft partner directory |
| Retirement | Not retiring | Retires on January 21, 2025 |
You can find more details about the Partner Launch Benefits and the Microsoft Action Pack.
* How Technical Support Essential Differs From 10 Product Support Incidents
Technical Support Essential Support
- Scope: Provides ongoing advice and guidance to help prevent problems, answer complex queries, and resolve issues related to Microsoft technology.
- Features:
- Proactive Support: Helps prevent issues before they occur.
- Complex Query Assistance: Offers help with more intricate questions about running Microsoft technology in specific environments.
- Resolution Support: Assists in resolving issues that arise.
- Availability: Typically available during business hours, with varying response times based on the severity of the issue.
10 Product Support Incidents
- Scope: Each incident is defined as a single support issue and the reasonable efforts needed to resolve it.
- Features:
- Incident-Based: Each support request is treated as a separate incident.
- Response Time: Varies based on the severity of the incident:
- Severity A: Critical business impact, 2 hours initial response time.
- Severity B: Moderate business impact, 4 business hours initial response time.
- Severity C: Minimum business impact, 8 business hours initial response time.
- Availability: Support is available 24/7 or during business hours until the issue is resolved.
In summary, Essential Support provides ongoing, proactive assistance and guidance, while the 10 Product Support Incidents offer incident-based support with specific response times based on the severity of the issue
** What instructor led training and web courses are available with Partner Launch Benefits
Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
- Technical Training: Advanced, role-based certification training in areas such as Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Security.
- Sales and Pre-Sales Training: Courses designed to improve sales techniques and pre-sales strategies.
- Depth Enablement Training: Multiday, in-depth technical training led by Microsoft experts, focusing on advanced topics in Microsoft Cloud and AI.
Web Courses
- On-Demand Learning Modules: Self-paced learning paths covering a wide range of topics, including sales, technical skills, and product-specific knowledge.
- Cloud Weeks for Partners: Intensive training weeks focused on specific areas like Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Security, aimed at accelerating certification journeys.
- Partner Skilling Playbooks: Guides that provide an overview of the enablement offerings available to help partners skill up their organizations.
These training resources are designed to help partners build their expertise, achieve certifications, and grow their businesses effectively.
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