Starting on 29 March 2023, all Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 cloud licenses obtained through Connecting Up will include Cloud Support Services delivered by Connecting Up.
This service will allow us to help not-for-profits and libraries determine which Microsoft cloud licenses are right for them, how to activate those licenses properly, and how to realise the value of this powerful but complex platform fully.
As a result, pricing for some of our cloud subscriptions will be affected. It's our mission to support not-for-profits in their use of technology. From time to time, we adjust our offers to continue serving the nonprofit sector with services and resources each day.
You will still have the option to receive donated licenses directly from Microsoft at no cost to you, but these will not include any of the Connecting Up support services.
Connecting Up Support Services
Connecting Up Cloud Support Services will be included with all Microsoft Cloud licenses obtained through Connecting Up. Cloud Support Services provides the following:
- Access to ongoing consultations with Connecting Up's experts in Microsoft solutions for not-for-profits to help determine the correct licenses and related products to support your organisation.
- Ongoing management of your licenses, including adding and removing license holders and downgrading and upgrading plans.
- Error resolution and direct case escalation with Microsoft in a prioritised queue when needed.
- Valuable resources designed specifically for not-for-profits to support your organisation's adoption of Microsoft solutions:
- Webinars
- How-to guides, articles, and videos chats with our experts
- Flexible billing options. Billing can occur annually or monthly. You can pay via credit card or bank transfer.
The following table shows the services included in Microsoft cloud licenses obtained through Connecting Up and those obtained directly from Microsoft. The grey check mark indicates partial inclusion.
| SERVICE | MICROSOFT CLOUD LICENSES OBTAINED THROUGH: | |
|---|---|---|
| Connecting Up | Microsoft | |
| Access to nonprofit-specific consultations to help determine the correct licenses for your organisation | ✓ | |
| Nonprofit-specific support and guides to help with the ongoing management of your licenses, including adding and removing license holders and downgrading and upgrading plans | ✓ | |
| Error resolution and direct case escalation with Microsoft in a prioritised queue when needed | ✓ | ✓ Requires additional fee |
| Resources designed specifically for not-for-profits to alert you to Microsoft program and product changes and resources to support the adoption of Microsoft solutions along with other technology solutions you may have | ✓ | |
| Flexible billing and payment options | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pricing protection for 12 months | ✓ | ✓ |
Which Licenses Are Affected?
While the support services will now be included in all Microsoft 365 and Office 365 cloud licenses, only three license plans will be subjected to updated pricing:
- Office 365 E1 (donated version only) — now $1.5/user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic — now $1.5/user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (donated licenses) — now $1.5/user/month
Note: Organisations must stay in compliance with Microsoft's utilisation requirements for donated licenses: Microsoft requires organisations to use at least 85 percent of assigned donated licenses actively.
Why Are the Changes Happening?
In addition to covering the costs of these Cloud Support Services, the new $1 monthly per-license fee on select Microsoft cloud licenses supports Connecting Up's work of providing ongoing consultations, content, events, courses, other services, and tech capacity building for not-for-profits and libraries across Australia.
What Should I Do Next?
For those already using the affected licenses, pricing changes will go into effect upon your next subscription term renewal on or after 28 March 2023. For example, if you started a subscription on 15 December 2022, your price will not be impacted until 15 December 2023, upon your subscription term renewal.
Here are a few more actions we recommend you take:
- Review your current licenses and ensure you aren't requesting licenses you don't need. There's a chance you could save at least $1 per month for each unused license you turn off. Use this Microsoft guide to help understand your current usage.
- Update your payment information before your next subscription renewal date to ensure uninterrupted access to your licenses. Click here to learn how to find your subscription renewal date.
- If you plan to acquire licenses for the affected products for the first time, do so before 28 March 2023.* This will ensure that you save by paying the current prices for your first subscription term.
Remember: You can choose to get your licenses directly from Microsoft at no cost. Microsoft offers Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Business Premium as donations directly from them, but these do not include the additional support and resources that Connecting Up offers. Please know that while we will have basic information for support, we will be unable to assist you or escalate specific issues on your behalf without being your license partner. We understand that cost may be a barrier to your nonprofit, and if you'd like to make the switch, here's a guide to moving your licenses directly to Microsoft.
We've always worked to provide organisations like yours with access to the best solutions for you and your needs. These new Cloud Support Services will ultimately help you get more out of the Microsoft software you receive through Connecting Up — value that can directly and positively impact your ability to serve your community.
We understand that these changes may impact IT planning and budgeting for your organisation, and we are here to help.
*The Office 365 E1 donated offer is retired and is no longer available as a new subscription.