Microsoft licensing has historically had a reputation for complexity. Traditional models like EA, MPSA and Open Value provided structure, but often lacked the flexibility needed to keep pace with changing technology strategies – particularly in a world increasingly shaped by the cloud.
Now, Microsoft is taking clear steps to simplify cloud licensing for organisations that not only use its services, but are looking to grow with them. The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model is its go-forward approach for managing Microsoft 365 and Azure – delivered via a certified partner like Advania.
If you’re still aligned to a traditional agreement, or you’ve found yourself at the stepping-off point for your EA and are weighing up what to do next, CSP is more than just another option. It’s how Microsoft wants its services delivered – with flexibility, responsiveness and trusted guidance built in.
CSP is Microsoft’s go-to-model for M365 and Azure
CSP isn’t just another offer in Microsoft’s portfolio, or the “emperor’s new clothes”. It’s a licensing program intended to reshape the way businesses experience Microsoft 365 and Azure.
What truly sets CSP apart is that it’s partner-led by design. Customers aren’t left to handle provisioning, billing or renewals across fragmented Microsoft portals and service groups. Instead, everything is delivered through a single, certified partner like Advania.
This model ensures customers get what they really need: strategic direction, maximum value, practical support, and a licensing approach that doesn’t stand in the way of innovation. These are just some of the key benefits of Microsoft CSP – making it more than just a way to transact subscriptions. It’s about keeping customers aligned with Microsoft’s wider innovation roadmap, but with the reassurance of an expert wingman to help navigate it all.
CSP is made for modern organisations
Where legacy agreements required fixed-term commitments, CSP offers freedom and flexibility. Licences can scale up or down each month, giving organisations a way to adjust usage in real time – and only ever pay for what they need.
For businesses looking for longer-term visibility, CSP can provide that too. Since June, Microsoft 365 and Azure CSP subscriptions became available on three-year terms, giving customers greater budget predictability without locking them into rigid, outdated licensing frameworks.
The overall experience is unified. CSP combines billing, support and advisory services into one relationship with a certified partner. That continuity means fewer administrative touchpoints, more relevant guidance and a working model tailored to support change, rather than resist it.
And as more organisations look to tap into the AI capabilities now proliferating across Microsoft services, CSP provides the cleanest, fastest path to using it with impact – backed by the people who understand how to put it to work.
The right partner turns CSP into long-term value
Central to the CSP model is Microsoft’s Partner of Record (POR) framework. It doesn’t alter pricing or customer ownership, but it does confirm that the licensing relationship is being handled by a recognised and accredited partner with proper authority to act.
That assurance becomes especially important when considering providers across the community of partners you will be choosing from. It’s the difference between unsupported resellers and consistent, trusted guidance from someone who knows your environment.
Microsoft is also tightening its governance to raise partner standards. From September 2025, only validated CSP providers meeting new compliance criteria will be allowed to transact – part of CSP support structure changes 2025 that aim to improve customer service and raise overall partner accountability.
Understanding how CSP partners add value becomes a key question when you’re comparing providers. The difference lies in the ability to offer strategic advice, proactively manage cloud spend, and translate Microsoft’s roadmap into real business results – not just fulfil licensing requirements.
Why Advania is the trusted CSP partner for what comes next
Advania was a day-one Microsoft cloud partner, and one of the very original cloud pioneers anywhere in the world. Our business is built on deep Microsoft foundations – and everything we do is focused on enabling real transformation using their technology.
We’re proud to employ some of the world’s most decorated and accredited Microsoft experts, including multiple Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) – a recognition awarded to only a small number of elite specialists globally. Their expertise helps inform how we plan, deliver and continuously improve value for our clients.
Alongside this team, Advania customers benefit from trusted technology and actionable tools that cut time to value:
- The Advania Marketplace Portal, built to simplify and streamline licensing across Microsoft’s entire stack
- Our Cloud Insights Platform, giving visibility into usage, spend, risk and untapped opportunities inside Microsoft 365 and Azure
- We support you directly through our own expert teams – with Microsoft Signature Cloud Support (SCS), Microsoft’s advanced partner-only cloud support, available as a rare fallback, not our frontline.
We’ve supported hundreds of successful migrations to CSP for organisations with different needs, pressures and ambitions. And while we make the move to CSP straightforward, the bigger benefit is what happens after. Through consistent collaboration, solid advice and dependable support we help you tap into every relevant part of the Microsoft technology stack.
CSP Isn’t just about licensing. It’s about unlocking potential.
For any organisation still tied to the rhythms of legacy licensing, CSP represents more than a change in how you procure Microsoft tools. It’s a chance to align your technology spend with your strategic goals – and to build lasting value, not just manage renewals.
Microsoft has made clear where it wants its customers to be. It’s raising service standards, reshaping support expectations and investing in partner-delivered transformation. CSP is at the centre of it all.
Advania is here to help you not just take that step, but make it count – blending strategic clarity, technical depth and day-to-day practicality in a way that turns CSP into something more powerful than just a new contract model.
So, what’s your next step?
If you’re ready to explore how CSP could simplify and strengthen your Microsoft cloud journey, now’s the time. Register for our upcoming webinar on 24th September or get in touch with an expert.
