16 November 2020

Your November monthly update

As the nights draw in, and the evenings get that little bit chillier, it’s time to dig out the thermals and jumpers. And some updates from Microsoft.

With different levels of lockdown in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it’s more important than ever to look out for your partners and customers this month. Especially as some might need an extra bit of support as they adjust to the latest restrictions. So, with that in mind, here’s this month’s roundup with everything you need to know.

Introducing Microsoft Teams Rooms Premium

CSPs can now take advantage of new audio features in Microsoft Teams, thanks to Microsoft’s new offering; Rooms Premium.

Boasting everything that Rooms Standard does, it also features Phone System – which allows users to integrate their public switched telephone network – and audioconferencing, which links physical phonelines up with Teams.

You can find out more about it, and refresh yourself on the Standard version features, at rooms.microsoft.com

Updates to Dynamics 365 and more

At the beginning of this month, Microsoft released some exciting new updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform – which also included Dynamics 365 Customer Voice Subscription Licence. These will help improve and speed up each program’s usability. As well as this, Microsoft has also released three extra 36-month ISV Embed offers for CSPs.

You can have a look through a full list of updates here.

Non-profit organisations can now purchase Business Voice

We’re happy to share the news that, as of this month, charities, fundraising organisations and other non-profit companies can access new products in Business Voice. Both direct and indirect providers, as well as indirect resellers, can now add this cloud-based phone system to their Office 365 subscription.

It’s a great way to support those who are supporting others at the moment. And makes their important work that little bit easier.

Visit the Partner Centre for more details here.

Irish SMEs and Dynamics 365

Last month, the latest version of Dynamics 365 Business Central Online was made available for customers in the Republic of Ireland. Small and medium companies can now connect, chat and conduct business wherever they need to – at home, in the office or on the move. All thanks to this cloud-based management system.

So, if you’re speaking to any Ireland-based customers this month, don’t forget to mention this new opportunity to them. You can read more about the story, here.

Extra discounts for Business Voice

If you have any customers thinking of buying or renewing their Business Voice subscriptions, make sure you tell them about the latest discounts on offer. Customers can purchase Business Voice with Calling Plan and save up to 25% for a 12-month subscription. Those who choose to buy without the plan, can save up to 35% for the same period.

The promotion is available until April next year and helps users collaborate with team members and customers more efficiently, thanks to integrated telephone systems. Discounts are open to qualifying new customers and those who have cancelled (just as long as it’s not within 30 days of ending their old contract).

You can find full terms and conditions here. Or email us on csp@westcoastcloud.co.uk.

Introducing Nerdio

This month, we welcomed Nerdio into our vendor family – set to become our largest American vendor. After Microsoft, of course!

This easy-to-use platform makes managing and selling Azure easier. It features an all-in-one pricing tool, an automated deployment process, a monitoring resource status and more.

We’ll be hosting our online launch event to welcome Nerdio to Westcoast Cloud and want you to come along. You’ll get to see interviews with the Nerdio team and see product demonstrations in action. Book your place on the Westcoast Cloud training page.

And if you have any questions, just drop our Azure team a message on azure@westcoastcloud.co.uk.

Discounts on Cloud migration with BitTitan

With BitTitan’s MigrationWiz you are able to assure customers that their teams, channels, conversations, permissions, and files will be securely migrated – and ready to use in their new environment.

And we have a little surprise for you. Until the end of year, you will be able to save nearly 40% on your Teams migrations.

You can read more about it here. Or get in touch with our Modern Workplace team on CSP@westcoastcloud.co.uk.

Open licencing reminder

We mentioned in last month’s update that Microsoft will be saying goodbye to Open Licence at the end of next year. So please make sure you’ve let your customers know – especially if they are thinking of renewing.

They will still be able to use the licence once this date passes, but Microsoft will no longer support them. So, if your customers are looking for Cloud licencing, to renew an Open Cloud agreement, or buy a long-lasting software licence, now is a good time to start thinking about doing it via CSP. And taking advantage of the support to help make this happen.

Got a topic for us to cover next month?

Need a bit of extra support from your Westcoast Cloud team? Reach out to your Westcoast Cloud contact, or email us on marketing@westcoastcloud.co.uk