MC810926 – (Updated) Microsoft 365 admin center: User admin and License admin roles enabled to manage self-service license requests

Product:

Entra, Intune, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 suite

Platform:

World tenant, Online

Status:

Change type:

Admin impact, Feature update, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
User and License admin roles in the Microsoft 365 admin center can now manage self-service license requests. Rollout begins mid-September 2024 and completes by late September. Admins should learn the licensing process to prepare. No other permission changes for these roles.

Details:
Updated September 17, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
License admins and User admins will be able to manage license requests in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Currently, only Global admins can manage license requests. This change drives consistency with other Microsoft Entra portals in which these roles can assign licenses, such as the Microsoft Entra admin center, Intune admin center, and Azure Portal. Otherwise, no changes have been made to these roles' permissions.

[When this will happen:]
General availability (Worldwide): Rollout for this change will start in mid-September 2024 (previously early September) and is expected to be complete by late September 2024 (previously mid-September).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2024-07-12

updated:
2024-09-19

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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additional Info URL

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summary for non-techies**

Microsoft is updating the Microsoft 365 admin center to allow User admins and License admins to manage self-service license requests starting mid-September 2024, aligning it with other Microsoft Entra portals and freeing up Global admins for other tasks.

Direct effects for Operations**

Increased Risk of License Mismanagement
Without proper preparation, User and License admins may mismanage self-service license requests, leading to unauthorized access or insufficient licensing for users.
   - roles: User Admin, License Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

User Experience Disruption
If User and License admins are not familiar with the new licensing process, it may lead to delays in license provisioning, negatively impacting user productivity.
   - roles: User Admin, License Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide#commonly-used-microsoft-365-admin-center-roles

Inconsistent Licensing Practices
The change may create inconsistencies in how licenses are managed across different platforms if admins are not adequately prepared, leading to confusion among users.
   - roles: User Admin, License Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Empower User and License Admins
With the ability for User and License admins to manage self-service license requests, organizations can reduce dependency on Global admins for routine license management tasks. This will streamline the process and allow for quicker response times to user requests, enhancing overall user experience.
   - next-steps: Provide training sessions for User and License admins to familiarize them with the new licensing process. Create documentation and resources that detail best practices for managing self-service license requests.
   - roles: User Admins, License Admins, IT Support Teams
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide#commonly-used-microsoft-365-admin-center-roles, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

Reduce License Management Bottlenecks
By enabling User and License admins to handle license requests, organizations can alleviate bottlenecks that occur when only Global admins manage these requests. This leads to a more efficient license allocation process and minimizes downtime for users needing access to resources.
   - next-steps: Analyze current license request workflows to identify pain points. Implement the new role capabilities and monitor the impact on request processing times and user satisfaction.
   - roles: User Admins, License Admins, Operations Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide#commonly-used-microsoft-365-admin-center-roles, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

Enhance Compliance and Governance
With more admins able to manage licenses, organizations can implement better governance and compliance checks for license allocation. This helps ensure that licenses are assigned appropriately and can prevent over-provisioning or under-utilization of licenses.
   - next-steps: Develop governance policies for license management that include checks and balances. Train User and License admins on compliance requirements and monitoring processes.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Governance Teams, License Admins
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide#commonly-used-microsoft-365-admin-center-roles, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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