Microsoft announce that the next version of Azure DevOps Server is now generally available. Although it’s the successor to Azure DevOps Server 2022 there isn’t a version number attached to the product name and it’s moved over to the Modern Lifecycle Policy. That means that customers who stay current with updates and meet servicing and system requirements will get regular security and feature updates.
Find the announcement article here: https://bit.ly/49AjkNf.
EA customers can now submit Change of Channel Partner (COCP) requests directly through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or Azure Management Portal, rather than having partners initiate the process. The nominated new channel partner will see incoming COCP requests in VL Central and must either accept or decline each request manually. Guidance for partners can be found here: https://bit.ly/49eXTCs, with customer resources available for the Azure Management Portal here: https://bit.ly/3N9HvdS, and for the Microsoft 365 Admin Center here: https://bit.ly/49M5xnS.
You’ll find the announcement with full details here: https://bit.ly/4prOTP3.
We’ve recently discovered an updated(!) Software Assurance Program Guide. It’s the first in a few years, though it could still use a few updates, as there are references to discontinued Software Assurance benefits and products. As always, a record of the quirks can be found on our Licensing Guides Cautionary Notes page: https://bit.ly/LSLVLGCN.
You can grab the 10-page guide here: https://bit.ly/3LdJAVz.
We’re kicking off the year with Microsoft 365 month at Licensing School. This January, we’re hosting two sessions covering fundamental and advanced licensing, everything from the Apps and Online Services to security and compliance, and more! To help navigate the minefield of choosing the right offering, we’ll share expert tips and introduce our new Plan Picker tool. Subscribers can register here: https://bit.ly/LS_Training.
If you’re not a subscriber and would benefit from this kind of training course, discuss your options by contacting info@licensingschool.co.uk.
There are updated (January 2026) Power Platform licensing resources now available. The main change is the apparent end of sale of the Power Apps Per App User SL. However, for the moment there’s no official announcement detailing what existing customers need to do, and this licence remains transactable and in the Product Terms.
Grab the updated Licensing Guide here: https://bit.ly/44WG4W7, and its sidekick, the Licensing Deck, here: https://bit.ly/4jnBh5X.
Microsoft has announced that BizTalk Server 2020 is the final version of its long-running workload integration product. Azure Logic Apps is positioned as the successor, ultimately replacing the 25-year-old traditional solution. Part of Azure Integration Services, Logic Apps is a cloud-based platform that lets you automate workflows across different systems. It connects apps and data in the cloud or on-premises, offering elastic scaling, AI integration, and support for modern DevOps practices. The more specialised component of BizTalk Server, Host Integration Server, will be made available as its own separate product, with an upcoming version 2028 providing integration between Microsoft and IBM systems. Support for BizTalk Server will remain available until April 2030, giving customers time to plan their migration.
You can learn more about Logic Apps here: https://bit.ly/4jAIFeu and find the official announcement here: https://bit.ly/3Lx30Vg.
The January 2026 Modern Work Plan Comparison documents are now available, with no major changes. There’s no Education comparison for January 2026 yet, but as always, the latest PDFs for Enterprise, SMB, US Government, and Education sectors can be accessed in our new, searchable Licensing Guides Gallery: https://bit.ly/GuidesGallery, exclusive to our subscribers. Non-subscribers can find them in the usual place here: https://bit.ly/4hn2hS2.
If you’re a partner looking for the Excel version, please email info@licensingschool.co.uk from your work email address and we’ll send it over.
There are updated (January 2026) Dynamics 365 licensing resources now available. The main change is the added licensing requirements for integrating Teams Phone directly into Dynamics 365 Contact Center to provide a simplified calling experience for reps. You can find this on page 14 of the guide, and there’s a useful article with more details here: https://bit.ly/4pqAF0Q.
Grab the Licensing Guide here: https://bit.ly/4jqmVlf, and the supplementary Licensing Deck here: https://bit.ly/4qE2rIq.
There’s a new (January 2026) Copilot Studio Licensing Guide available. There are no major changes this month – there’s literally just a page number correction in the Change Log – but it’s always handy to have the latest guide, which you can grab here: https://bit.ly/4bkkVch.
We’ve recently uncovered an updated Enrollment for Education Solutions Licensing Guide, the first in seven years. Whilst always useful to have an update, sadly it’s not perfect, containing many outdated terms and references. A record of these quirks can be found on our Licensing Guides Cautionary Notes page: https://bit.ly/LSLVLGCN.
Find the guide here to add to your collection: https://bit.ly/4b2zjWP.