![New Pay-as-you-go billing model for Agents in SharePoint [MC952883]](https://mwpro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/pexels-hbozman-1058770-1024x683.webp)
Message ID: MC952883
We’re introducing a pay-as-you-go (PayG) billing model for Agents in SharePoint allowing organizations to use an Azure subscription to pay for the service based on the number of queries used.
[When this will happen:]
Pay-as-you-go billing for Agents in SharePoint is expected to be released starting mid-January 2025. Pay-as-you-go services are disabled by default and services will be available to be used only after PayG billing is set up.
General Availability (WW): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2024 and expected to complete by early February 2024.
[How this will affect your organization:]
With this update, admins can now provide users without Copilot licenses with the ability to use and create agents on any SharePoint site or document library they have access to. Users with Microsoft 365 Copilot seat licenses can continue using agents in SharePoint according to their license terms.
[What you need to do to prepare:]
To use agents in SharePoint on a pay-as-you-go basis, admins must first set up billing and activate the service in the Microsoft 365 admin center. An Azure subscription and resource group are required to set up pay-as-you-go billing.
Admins need to have the owner or contributor role for the Azure subscription to setup billing. Select Activate pay-as-you-go services from the Setup page to get started.
Follow these steps to enable PAYG billing for Agents in SharePoint:
- Visit the https://admin.microsoft.com/Adminportal/Home#/syntex/documents as a Global Admin or SharePoint Admin
- Click Pay-as-you-go services in org settings or Activate pay-as-you-go under setup.
- Go to “Agents in SharePoint” Tab under Billing Tab
- Setup billing by adding Subscription, Region, and Resource group.
To use pay-as-you go for Agents in SharePoint, you need:
- An Azure subscription.
- An Azure resource group in that subscription.
- For information about how to create an Azure subscription, see Create your initial Azure subscriptions.
- For information about how to create an Azure resource group, see Manage Azure resource groups by using the Azure portal.
Note: The use of PayG to allow unlicensed users to utilize Agents in SharePoint will respect any controls in place to manage Copilot within the organization.
Source: Microsoft
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The introduction of the pay-as-you-go (PayG) billing model for Agents in SharePoint is set to create significant ripples in both admin and user experiences. For admins, this update means a shift towards a more flexible billing approach, allowing them to align costs with actual usage rather than fixed licensing fees. This can be particularly beneficial for organizations that have variable workloads or are just starting to explore the capabilities of SharePoint agents. However, it also means that admins will need to take on the responsibility of setting up billing through the Microsoft 365 admin center and ensuring that the appropriate Azure subscriptions and resource groups are in place.
On the user side, the update opens the door for those without Copilot licenses to access and create agents on any SharePoint site or document library they can reach. This democratization of access could lead to increased collaboration and innovation within teams, as more users can engage with SharePoint agents without the barriers of licensing restrictions. It’s a win-win situation—more access for users and a more manageable cost structure for admins.
As for the overall impact, it seems poised to enhance the SharePoint experience significantly. The flexibility of PayG can lead to smarter spending and better resource allocation, while the expanded access for users may foster a culture of creativity and collaboration.
Of course, with every new feature, there’s always a learning curve. Admins will need to familiarize themselves with the setup process, and users may need to adapt to the new capabilities. But hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
I encourage everyone to share their thoughts on this update! How do you think the PayG model will affect your organization? Will it streamline your processes, or do you foresee any hurdles? Let’s get the conversation going! For more insights, don’t forget to check out additional posts on mwpro.co.uk.