Partner Center user interface changes, a Teams Rooms Pro offer, a new discount related to new commerce experience and new restrictions around outsourcing are among the biggest announcements from Microsoft as partners get ready for the tech giant’s Ignite conference in October.

This year has been one of large changes for Microsoft partners, from navigating consequences of Microsoft’s new commerce experience (NCE) roll out and understanding how to achieve enough points under the new partner capability score system.

Microsoft appears to not be letting up on changes for partners, with upcoming adjustments in October including a virtual core licensing option for Windows Server, flow changes in Partner Center and even the end of physical checks as a payment option to Microsoft.

[RELATED: Microsoft Rolls Out NCE Discount, But Controversy Remains]

Did Microsoft Make Changes To NCE?

The one change that Lane Shelton, director of licensing for Core BTS – an Indianapolis-based Microsoft partner and member of CRN’s 2022 Solution Provider 500 – is hoping for, he told CRN in a recent interview, is for the ability for MSPs to trade customers if a customer wants to leave an MSP during an annual commitment.

“We just would like for Microsoft to give us portability for customers,” Shelton said. “And we’re more than happy to risk losing our customers to our competitors to have that benefit. Because we just think that that’s the biggest gap that they have right now.”

Microsoft Ignite, meanwhile, will be hybrid this year, with in-person and digital events running Oct. 12 to 14.

Here are the Microsoft partner program changes you need to know about.