What is CSP? Microsoft Cloud Solution Program explained
If you procure Microsoft software and cloud services, you've probably heard of the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program – CSP. But what is it? And how can it benefit you as an end-user, not a reseller or a Microsoft Partner?
Let's begin with the basics of Microsoft CSP program, how it works, and what products are available.
Then, we'll review licensing differences compared to traditional Microsoft agreements.
And, of course, we'll cover the topics of discounts and migration from an Enterprise Agreement.
What is CSP?
CSP is a licensing agreement that Microsoft introduced in 2015 to allow you to procure Microsoft cloud services and software licenses directly from Microsoft partners, who often bundle them with their services. That was the core idea, so you don't simply buy licences and cloud – you purchase tailored IT services with licenses included.
Products and services in CSP include Microsoft 365 (ex-Office 365), Microsoft Azure, and a subset of server and desktop licences.
With CSP, Microsoft modernised your customer experience. CSP is a relationship between you and Microsoft with a skilled partner in between. The partner will manage the subscription for you, which gives them more control over your customer experience and how you are billed but provides you with one point of contact for all your needs – from licenses to support.
Although CSP works differently from other licensing contracts like Enterprise Agreement, Select or Open Value, you must still sign a licensing agreement with Microsoft – your CSP partner will facilitate it. However, there are significant differences between CSP and traditional Microsoft licensing channels:
There are differences in how they operate.
Not all Microsoft products and Microsoft cloud services are available through CSP.
The licensing terms and conditions are also different.
What does CSP stand for?
Officially, CSP stands for Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider. You may find different interpretations like "Microsoft Cloud Service Provider" or "Cloud Solutions Provider", which are pretty similar and also reflect the core principle of this licensing program. There is a skilled authorised partner between you and Microsoft that provides you with multiple cloud solutions or cloud services. The partner also manages your "CSP tenant".
Benefits of Microsoft CSP
From the customer perspective, you have more flexibility over how you're billed - you can be invoiced monthly or annually, for example. Annual subscriptions in CSP have a monthly billing option.
You also get one point of contact for support and billing for your licenses and cloud usage. The CSP partner is supposed to take care of your entire customer journey.
How CSP works, step-by-step
You need to find an authorised Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program partner that fits your requirements, delivers the services you need, and overall "clicks" with your business.
This Microsoft CSP partner will provide you with a Microsoft Customer Agreement – MCA. Signing the MCA creates a licensing relationship between your organisation and Microsoft.
Your chosen partner is your first line of communication. Depending on their "partner tier", they will provide you with billing and technical support directly (Tier 1 or "direct model" partners) or via their distributor ("indirect CSP partners"). Microsoft itself will not offer billing or technical support.
Your Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program partner will help you manage your Microsoft Online Services portal, procure licenses, renew subscriptions, and more.
What is a Microsoft Customer Agreement, MCA?
MCA, or "Microsoft Customer Agreement", is a licensing agreement between Microsoft and the end customer (you). When you acquire Microsoft software licenses and services from a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), your first step is to sign an MCA.
MCA Agreement is not exclusive to the CSP program. When you purchase Microsoft services through the Microsoft web portal ("Web Direct") or from a Microsoft sales representative ("Microsoft Enterprise Motion"), you must also sign an MCA.
That is why, when you search for CSP licensing terms on the Microsoft Product Terms website, there is no "CSP program" in the drop-down menu. The option you need to choose is "Microsoft Customer Agreement".
Microsoft CSP subscription and perpetual license availability
CSP was designed to help organisations procure subscription licenses and online services more efficiently. CSP also offers some perpetual licences, but please be wary and enquire your CSP partner about perpetual license limitations.
Since Microsoft stopped its Open License program, clients and partners needed a new way to get traditional licenses without making the same commitments as in an Enterprise Agreement. CSP partners also needed a way to remain the single point of contact for all their clients' licensing needs and sustain a more consistent customer relationship.
Microsoft responded by adding a limited number of perpetual licenses to CSP. However, that is not the only limitation of product availability. Some enterprise-grade products are unavailable even if you buy them as a subscription.
Not all server products are available as subscription licenses, either. The best way to check subscription license availability is to visit the "Server Subscriptions for Azure" page on the Microsoft Product Terms website.
Here are the available server subscription licenses:
SQL Server Enterprise Core (2-pack of Core Licenses),
SQL Server Standard (2-pack of Core Licenses),
System Center - added in October 2023 to the price lists but not to the Product Terms.
Windows Server Active Directory Rights Management Services CAL,
Windows Server CAL,
Windows Server Datacenter (8-pack of Core Licenses),
Windows Server Remote Desktop Services CAL (User),
Windows Server Standard (8-pack of Core Licenses).
You can check all the current CSP license availability on the Microsoft Product Terms website.
Microsoft CSP billing and flexibility (changed in 2022!)
At its introduction, CSP was pitched as a flexible licensing program that allowed you to re-adjust your subscription licences every month.
You may still do so. However, in March 2022, Microsoft made the most flexible monthly subscription 20% more expensive than before. That was in addition to the most prominent Microsoft 365 price uplift in history.
You may choose one of the three subscriptions, all of which have a seven-day cancellation period:
Monthly subscription. Your partner will invoice you every month for how much you use. It is the most flexible option but costs 20% more than an annual subscription.
Annual subscription. You commit for the year in advance, but you may be billed monthly. You can't downsize until the end of the subscription unless you cancel it in the first seven days. After that, you will have to pay for the rest of the subscription.
3-year subscription. It is like an annual subscription, but it lasts longer, and there is no monthly billing option for server subscriptions. The upside is that the cost is more predictable.
Microsoft CSP licensing is different from other programs
If you currently purchase your licenses through a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, you may find that similar CSP licenses have more restrictive terms and conditions.
Here are a few examples:
Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 have reduced benefits compared to the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. For instance, they do not permit installing on-premises Exchange and SharePoint servers.
Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server licences may not be deployed to a hyper-scaler like Amazon AWS, Google Cloud (GCP), or Alibaba. Azure has a backdoor through the Azure Hybrid Benefit. From October 2022, these licenses may be taken to any other provider using the Flexible Virtualisation benefit.
CSP has no Software Assurance. Thus, it does not have SA benefits. It provides partial equivalent benefits for subscription licences, but one must not assume that all the Software Assurance rights are available in CSP.
Some differences may disappear or be reduced in the future as Microsoft is gradually making CSP the primary licensing channel.
Who is the target audience of CSP?
It may appear that Microsoft designed CSP licensing for smaller businesses with fewer than 2400 employees. Indeed, considering available discounts and Microsoft Partner-targeted incentives, organisations of that size benefit from CSP the most.
However, If you represent a large company, Microsoft may offer you a similar licensing solution without a partner intermediary. They call it "Enterprise motion". That is why there is no "CSP licensing program" in the official Microsoft licensing guides. The official name of the licensing framework that underpins both CSP and Microsoft's direct initiatives is "Microsoft Customer Agreement" (MCA).
Negotiating discounts in CSP and MCA
Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program does not have discounts given automatically, unlike Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. The price of licenses in CSP is the same for every company, regardless of how big it is.
When you order licenses through a Cloud Solution Program partner, you must agree on a price with the partner. Microsoft will only be willing to negotiate with you if you purchase directly from Microsoft.
Migrating to CSP from an Enterprise Agreement
Even though CSP became less flexible in March 2022, it may still be a viable option for your organisation.
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement may still be the best choice if you have over 2400 employees, and the way your IT infrastructure is designed may require standard licensing terms and conditions that you get through EA. But you might consider using CSP to augment your licensing portfolio, letting you get more out of your Microsoft licenses and investments in the cloud.
If you are evaluating a full or partial switch from an Enterprise Agreement to a Microsoft Customer Agreement, here are a few things you should think about:
What are the differences between licensing through CSP and Microsoft Enterprise Agreement? Do the new rules match how you use Microsoft licences in your company?
Will you lose the discounts you get through EA?
How will you be invoiced?
Do you want to commit to one or three years, be flexible and pay 20% more, or mix-and-match flexible and long-term licenses?
How does CSP benefit your business growth, digital transformation and cloud migration?
Consider the above factors and talk to an independent Microsoft licensing specialist at SAMexpert before making a decision.
A senior member of our team will respond to your questions as soon as possible.