MC940142 – Microsoft 365 Copilot: New user license requests (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite, Planner

Platform:

Online, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Feature update, User impact, Admin impact

Links:

(MC886385)
MC853238

Details:

Coming soon: A new license request feature for Microsoft 365 Copilot will be widely available. This new capability allows users to request a Microsoft 365 Copilot license directly from their admin. This helps you efficiently assign unused licenses or purchase additional ones as needed. Global admins, license admins, and user admins will be able to manage these requests seamlessly in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Microsoft will enable users to self-service purchase or request a license from you for Microsoft 365 Copilot, honoring your settings, from within Microsoft 365 apps like Microsoft Copilot. This message is related to MC853238 (Updated) Microsoft 365 admin center: New self-service purchase and trial settings (published August 2024, updated September 2024).
This message is also related to MC886385 Copilot for Microsoft 365 available for self-service purchase (November 2024).
[When this will happen:]
General availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early December 2024 and expect to complete by mid-January 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2024-11-23

updated:
2025-01-15

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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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

License Management Confusion
Users may experience confusion regarding the new self-service license request process, leading to potential delays in obtaining necessary licenses for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
   - roles: Global Admin, User Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/subscriptions/manage-self-service-purchases-admins?view=o365-worldwide

Incompatibility Issues
If users are not on the Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel, they will be unable to use their licenses in desktop applications, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: User, Global Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide, https://aka.ms/Copilot/MSWorksCouncilsArticle

Increased Support Requests
The rollout of self-service license requests may lead to an increase in support requests from users who are unfamiliar with the new process, impacting IT support resources.
   - roles: IT Support, User Admin
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/subscriptions/manage-self-service-purchases-admins?view=o365-worldwide

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Streamlined License Management
The new self-service license request feature allows users to request Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses directly, reducing the administrative burden on IT staff. This can lead to quicker turnaround times for license approvals and better utilization of existing licenses.
   - next-steps: Train global admins and license admins on the new self-service license request process and encourage them to monitor license usage through the admin center.
   - roles: Global Admins, License Admins, User Admins
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/licenses/manage-license-requests?view=o365-worldwide

User Empowerment and Productivity
By enabling users to request licenses themselves, they can take ownership of their toolset, which can lead to increased productivity and satisfaction. This can also help identify areas where additional licenses are needed based on user demand.
   - next-steps: Communicate the new self-service feature to all users, providing guidance on how to request licenses and the benefits of doing so.
   - roles: End Users, Department Heads, Team Leaders
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/commerce/subscriptions/manage-self-service-purchases-admins?view=o365-worldwide

Data-Driven Decision Making
The notification system for pending license requests provides valuable insights into user demand for tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. This data can inform IT strategy and budgeting for future license purchases and tool enhancements.
   - next-steps: Set up regular reviews of license request data to assess trends and make informed decisions about future license purchases and IT resource allocation.
   - roles: IT Managers, Finance Officers, Global Admins
   - references: https://aka.ms/Copilot/MSWorksCouncilsArticle

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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