Microsoft services programs: what is open, what closed, what replaced it
Microsoft's services paths changed this year: Azure Expert MSP stopped taking new enrollments on September 15, 2026, and Microsoft points eligible partners to the Frontier Partner specialization and to Frontier Accelerate programs. This page maps every services path by what it needs, what must come first, and what decides which fit your company.
As of
Managed services and delivery programs
| Path | What it gives you | Role it needs | Works with others? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Expert MSP (closed to new enrollment) | What it gives youManaged services credential; new enrollments stopped Sep 15, 2026 and renewals end in January 2027 | Role it needsServices | Works with others?Check with Microsoft |
| Frontier Partner specialization | What it gives youNamed as the recommended path forward for eligible Azure Expert MSP partners | Role it needsServices | Works with others?Check with Microsoft |
| Frontier Accelerate for Azure (FY27) | What it gives youEligibility for Azure Expert MSP partners through Jun 30, 2027 | Role it needsServices | Works with others?Check with Microsoft |
Which of these fit depends on whether you already hold Azure Expert MSP status, whether you run managed services on Azure, and when your current renewal falls.
Funded and listed services
| Path | What it gives you | Role it needs | Works with others? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Accelerate for Business Processes engagements | What it gives youFunded Dynamics 365 engagements; amounts set in Partner Center | Role it needsServices | Works with others?Check with Microsoft |
| Tagged consulting offer on Microsoft Marketplace | What it gives youRequired before any Business Applications specialization | Role it needsServices | Works with others?Sequence: comes before a Business Applications specialization |
| CSP direct bill for Azure transfer access | What it gives youDirect enterprise agreement to CSP transfer for Azure needs Cloud & AI Platforms designations plus direct bill authorization | Role it needsServices, Resell | Works with others?Sequence: designations and direct bill authorization together |
Whether these pay off depends on whether you deliver Dynamics 365 or Azure projects, whether you have a Business Applications specialization in view, and whether customers buy your services through Microsoft contracts.
How do these programs combine?
Sequences. Azure Expert MSP stopped accepting new enrollments on September 15, 2026, and existing partners renew until January 2027. For eligible partners, Microsoft names the Frontier Partner specialization as the recommended path forward, and Frontier Accelerate for Azure carries eligibility for FY27, ending June 30, 2027 (Azure Expert MSP program). A tagged consulting offer on Microsoft Marketplace comes before any Business Applications specialization. Transferring an Azure agreement to Cloud Solution Provider direct bill needs the Cloud & AI Platforms designations plus Direct Bill CSP authorization.
Stacks. A services company can hold a Solutions Partner designation, take funded engagements, and publish services offers on the marketplace at once, because Microsoft's pages describe them as separate programs.
Conflicts. Microsoft's pages state no conflicts among the open paths. The closed path is the one to plan around: a company that relied on Azure Expert MSP for its credibility needs to check what replaces it for its own customers.
How do you claim or earn each one?
If you hold Azure Expert MSP today
- 1Note your renewal date. Microsoft says renewals end in January 2027.
- 2Check whether you are eligible for the Frontier Partner specialization, the path Microsoft names as the way forward.
- 3Check your eligibility within Frontier Accelerate for Azure for FY27, which runs through June 30, 2027.
Funded Dynamics 365 engagements
- 1Review the Frontier Accelerate for Business Processes engagements Microsoft lists.
- 2Match one of the engagements to a customer already in your pipeline, because the amounts are set in Partner Center.
Services listed on the marketplace
- 1Check the transactability test for professional service offers: large service deals outside Microsoft, or services worth more than 10% of the total deal value.
- 2If a Business Applications specialization is on your list, publish a tagged consulting offer first.
Azure agreement transfers
- 1Confirm that you hold the Cloud & AI Platforms-related designations.
- 2Confirm your Direct Bill CSP authorization.
The usual snags are applying to a closed program, a missing designation, and an offer that is listed but not tagged as consulting. Dates to plan around: September 15, 2026 closed new Azure Expert MSP enrollment, January 2027 ends renewals, and June 30, 2027 ends Frontier Accelerate for Azure eligibility for FY27.
Why do two similar companies choose differently?
Company A: a managed services provider with Azure Expert MSP status
40 managed customers. Its paths are its renewal, a check of the Frontier Partner specialization, and Frontier Accelerate for Azure eligibility for the rest of FY27.
Company B: a Dynamics 365 integrator without Azure Expert MSP
Its paths are the Frontier Accelerate for Business Processes engagements, a tagged consulting offer on the marketplace, and a Business Applications specialization once the offer is live.
The same program year, the same partner, and two different sets of paths.
What changed recently?
- Sep 15, 2026Microsoft stopped accepting new Azure Expert MSP enrollments.
- Jan 2027Azure Expert MSP renewals end.
No Playmaker change page covers Microsoft services yet. Every Microsoft change is on the Microsoft partner page.
Microsoft has the paths. Playmaker finds yours.
You’ve just seen how much Microsoft offers: programs, funding, listings, specialists and the many ways they combine. All of it is real, and much of it can run at the same time. Which of it fits your company depends on your tier, your roles and your deals.
Playmaker does that work for you:
- Ranked by revenue. It looks at your company and orders the Microsoft plays by revenue expectancy, so you spend your time on the plays that matter most.
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- Built for your mix. Reseller and services, a Marketplace listing and Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace, several funding programs at once. Playmaker works out how they fit together for your company, not for a generic partner.
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What does your playbook show?
Frequently
asked questions
The short answers for Microsoft services. Playmaker shows you the rest in 3 minutes.
No. Effective September 15, 2026, Microsoft stops accepting new Azure Expert MSP enrollments.
Microsoft says the recommended path forward for eligible partners is the Frontier Partner specialization, and Frontier Accelerate for Azure carries eligibility for FY27 through June 30, 2027.
Yes. Services offers have their own transactability test, separate from software offers. Which paths apply depends on the roles you hold.
Microsoft lists Frontier Accelerate for Business Processes engagements for Dynamics 365 work. Funding amounts are set in Partner Center.
Cloud & AI Platforms-related Solutions Partner designations plus Direct Bill CSP authorization.
Sources
Primary sources for this page, all accessed Nov 4, 2026. Program names and terms belong to Microsoft.
Where can you read more?
- Microsoft partner programs: every path across seven areasThe front door for every Microsoft program area.
- Microsoft certifications and competenciesDesignations, specializations and certifications.
- Microsoft marketplace programsListing, private offers and referral eligibility.
- Microsoft incentives and fundingMargins, benefits packages and marketplace funding.
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