Overview

The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program

is a partner program that enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Value-Added Resellers (VARs), and other IT service providers to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services for their customers. The CSP program allows partners to offer a range of Microsoft cloud solutions, such as Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and Power BI, while providing value-added services, such as technical support, billing, and provisioning.

Through the CSP program, partners can offer flexible billing options, such as monthly or annual billing, and provide customized solutions that meet the unique needs of their customers. Partners can also manage their customers' cloud services through a single, unified portal, which simplifies management and reduces administrative overhead.

One of the key benefits of the CSP program is that it enables partners to maintain a direct relationship with their customers, rather than having to go through a third-party distributor. This allows partners to better understand their customers' needs and provide personalized solutions that drive business outcomes.

Overall, the Microsoft CSP program provides a flexible, scalable, and customizable solution for partners to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services for their customers, while enabling them to differentiate themselves in the market and drive business growth.

Differences Between an Enterprise Agreement and CSP 

CSP Model 

Service Providers like Evolve IP work with Microsoft to sell their subscription licenses and services that we are all familiar with like Microsoft 365, Office 365, and Azure.

Evolve IP manages and operates the appropriate sales, billing, and support infrastructure to work within the direct CSP model.

An Enterprise Agreement was once the go-to model for businesses when purchasing Microsoft products. However, in recent years, with more and more businesses moving to the cloud, Cloud Solution Providers have become a new option. These are some of the main differences between the two options:

• Licensing: The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is a licensing program that enables organizations to purchase Microsoft software licenses in volume for a 3-year period, while the Cloud Solution Provider program enables partners to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services for their customers on a subscription basis.
  • An Enterprise Agreement includes all Microsoft products, while a CSP includes cloud subscriptions only (Office 365, Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365)
  An Enterprise Agreement requires a 3-year agreement with a minimum of 500 user licenses
  • .
  • An Enterprise Agreement allows an increase in the number of users at any time. However, you can only decrease the number once every year with a 30-day notice. With CSP, you can increase or decrease the number of users every 30 days if your licensing is deployed with the monthly option.
• Pricing: Enterprise Agreement pricing is generally based on the number of licenses purchased and is fixed for the 3-year term, whereas Cloud Solution Provider pricing is typically based on usage and can vary from month to month.
• Contract Length: Enterprise Agreements are typically 3-year contracts with a minimum of 500 enterprise user licenses, while Cloud Solution Provider contracts are more flexible and can be renewed or cancelled on a monthly or annual basis.
• Billing and Support: Enterprise Agreements are typically managed directly between the customer and Microsoft, with billing and support provided by Microsoft. With the Cloud Solution Provider program, billing and support are provided by the partner.
  • CSP offers monthly billing as compared to the annual upfront payment and additional charges for added users with the Enterprise Agreement. 
  • Support:  The Enterprise Agreement covers basic support and the option to obtain premier support at additional charges. CSP offers 24/7/365 support from the CSP partner with priority access to Microsoft Premier Support. 
  An Enterprise Agreement includes all Microsoft products, while a CSP includes cloud subscriptions only (Office 365, Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365)

Overall, the main difference between the two programs is that the Enterprise Agreement is focused on software licensing for on-premises deployments, while the Cloud Solution Provider program is focused on providing flexible, subscription-based licensing for Microsoft cloud services, with more customization and support provided by the partner.

What is CSP?

CSP is designed to provide Microsoft public cloud subscriptions, such as Office 365, Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), Azure and Dynamics Online.  With CSP you will receive a monthly invoice from Evolve IP for subscriptions (software) and services. Evolve IP provides 24/7/365 support to you as your CSP partner. Evolve IP also has a Premiere Support Agreement with Microsoft which bypasses tier one support and goes direct to tier two.

Is CSP Only for Cloud Services?

Yes. The Cloud Solution Provider program is Microsoft Public Cloud only.

Do I Sign a Contract with Microsoft?

Yes. You will agree to add Evolve IP as your Microsoft CSP partner by clicking a link sent from Evolve IP during our implementation process that pairs Evolve IP's CSP tenant with your Microsoft tenant.  Customer signs the Microsoft Cloud Agreement and the Microsoft Online Service Terms (OST) apply. The Cloud Agreement is the legal bond between your organization and Microsoft. Microsoft determines the conditions for use.

Who Provides the Support?

Within the CSP program the CSP provider, Evolve IP, provides the support. 

May I Start and Stop at Any Time?

No.  The CSP program is based on a monthly and annual subscriptions. This means that you can reduce subscriptions every 30 days and you can add subscriptions at any time.

The agreement between Evolve IP and our customers will reflect the term commitment made to Microsoft. 

Who do I Pay? 

Evolve IP.  We take care of the payment for the cloud subscriptions with Microsoft.

Evolve IP pays for your services in the previous billing cycle roughly every 30 days. 

Why Choose the CSP model?

CSP provides subscriptions and services with the benefit of monthly consumption and billing.

CSP provides one invoice for subscriptions, services and support.

Resources

Cloud Solution Provider - Program Authorization Guide

This Microsoft Program Authorization Guide details additional requirements for becoming a partner in the Cloud Solution Provider Program. 

If you are looking for specific details about CSP and Evolve IP please reach out to your CRM who can help you understand more about how Evolve IP interacts on our customer's behalf with Microsoft.