Microsoft Newsletter December Edition

In this issue:

• VCG becomes a Microsoft Surface Authorised Reseller
• Microsoft announce price decrease
• Flexible billing for Microsoft 365 Copilot
• Unlicenced OneDrive user accounts
• Microsoft Planner new release
• 15% discount for eligible non-profit customers on M365 Copilot
• Windows 365 Link is in public preview
• Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025
• Standardising the billing structure with a pricing update

Microsoft Surface Authorised Reseller

VCG has now officially become an authorised Surface reseller, offering a comprehensive range of Microsoft Surface products, licensing, and services. As an authorised reseller, we will be able to provide our customers with the latest Surface devices, along with a variety of licensing options and top-notch services. 

Microsoft price decrease

Effective February 1, 2025, Microsoft will be adjusting prices for its Commercial Cloud services. GBP pricing will drop by 5% to 6%.

The Microsoft Cloud continues to be competitively priced, reflecting the company’s deep commitment to the success of its customers and partners. We continue to invest in solutions that empower customers to drive innovation, streamline and reduce operating costs, enhance business performance and efficiency, and provide a foundation for trusted security strategies that customers around the world rely on.

Flexible billing for Microsoft 365 Copilot

December 1, 2024, Microsoft are introducing a new monthly billing plan for annual subscriptions of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Service on the New Commerce Platform (NCE agreement).

This new monthly billing option for annual subscriptions will be priced 5% higher than the annual billing (upfront payment) option for annual subscription plans for Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales, and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Services.

Unlicenced OneDrive user accounts

Microsoft announce that from 27 January, 2025 any OneDrive user account that have been unlicensed for more than 93 days will be automatically archived, at which point the data will be only be viewable via admin tools.

A OneDrive account becomes unlicensed when a licence is removed from a user or when a user is deleted.

Microsoft Planner

In April 2024 Microsoft released a new Planner app in Microsoft Teams for Office 365 E1/E3/F3, Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F1/F3 and Microsoft 365 Business Basic/Standard/Premium customers. At that time, Project Plan 1 was renamed Planner Plan 1 and includes the new Planner as well as further, premium project management features.

Microsoft have now renamed Project Plan 3 to Planner and Project Plan 3, and Project Plan 5 to Planner and Project Plan 5.

15% discount for eligible non-profit customers on M365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is now available to eligible nonprofits for $25.50 (USD) per user per month when purchased for an annual subscription and billing cycle.

• To purchase Microsoft 365 Copilot, customers must have or purchase a separate license for a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan.
• Existing Microsoft 365 Copilot customers aren’t eligible for the new pricing until their renewal after November 1, 2024.

Windows 365 Link

Microsoft announce that Windows 365 Link is in public preview. This is a purpose-built Cloud PC device that’s designed to connect to Windows 365 in a fast and secure way. It’s built by Microsoft and will be available in April 2025 at a cost of $349. It will work with Windows 365 Enterprise, Frontline and Business editions.

Windows 10 ESUs

Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025 at which point 3 years of ESUs will be available for commercial and education customers.

They’ll cost $61 per device for commercial customers and $1 per device for education customers, with prices doubling for year 2 and again for year 3. Customers running Windows 10 in Azure Virtual Desktop will be entitled to free ESUs.

Standardising the billing structure with a pricing update

Starting on April 1, 2025, all new and renewing monthly billing plans for annual subscriptions will be priced 5% higher than the annual billing option for annual subscription plans.