CSP Licensing

What is the Microsoft CSP program?

CSP stands for Cloud Solution Provider and the CSP program enables partners, like Opal Business Solutions, to sell Microsoft’s cloud services to its customers. However, it is more than a licensing program. The CSP model is designed for the partner to add value to its customers’ cloud experience via support, billing flexibility and expertise. With this program, a customer effectively has a buy, or pay, as you go consumption arrangement with their partner, rather than directly with Microsoft.

CSP Key Customer Benefits

There are numerous benefits to customers, but we see the following as most important:

Flexibility

Flexibility is our biggest benefit to our customers. You only pay for what you want or use. In the case of Office 365 for example: let’s say you had 100 Office 365 licenses and wanted to add 50 licenses for a specific project and then get rid of them two months later, you can. You will be billed in a completely logical way that follows your license usage e.g. 100 then 150 for two months and then back to 100. In the case of Azure, you simply pay for what you used the previous month.

Strong SLA’s

By procuring through a Microsoft CSP, you will be gaining access to Microsoft’s strong service level agreement which defines the crucial aspects of the service like responsibility, quality and availability between the service provider and the customer.

Discounts

Going the CSP route opens up opportunities to gain discounts from RRP. Remember CSP partners need to take on a level of support, billing and license / subscription management duties. Potential discounts from RRP are dependent on the wrap around services you are procuring from Opal.

Local Support

As a CSP provider, we would be the point of contact and receive your support calls in relation to the service. We would look to triage these calls and pass onto Microsoft if required. We are also the point of contact in case of a problem (technical and billing & subscription support). Contact us to discuss our enhanced cloud support services offering which really complements CSP.

Licensing Support

You can have one partner looking after all your Microsoft cloud licenses and drawing on their expertise and skills to enable you to maximize the benefits of your investment.

Monthly Billing

Each month you will receive a bill for the O365 licenses you are using and/or the Azure consumption you have used. No need to use your credit card anymore. If you do want annual billing, then please contact us.

No upfront billing

There are no upfront licensing costs

FAQs Regarding the CSP Process

Will I still maintain Admin Control?

Yes, you can still have full admin control over your Office 365 tenancy and Azure subscriptions.

Can I migrate existing Azure Services to CSP Azure?

Yes, we will first need to undertake a review of your environment to understand if there are areas that will not easily move e.g. Backup Vaults and Express Route. We then schedule some engineering time to move you to the new subscription. This would all aim to be done without loss of service. We would discuss options for items that are not so easily moved between Azure subscriptions.

Who will invoice me?

Opal will invoice you monthly. We get invoiced indirectly from Microsoft on a monthly basis for all the CSP spend attributable to our customers. We just take this data and generate an invoice for your specific spend.

Can I license my on-premise licenses via CSP?

No. You currently can only license cloud services via CSP.

Can I see billing information in Azure ARM portal?

No, as a CSP customer this area will not be accessible. Some billing information is available via a separate portal.

Can I change CSP providers?

Yes, you are free to transfer to any other provider of your choice, but we hope the other services Opal is offering and delivering are a good reason to stay with us.

Can I leave CSP?

Yes, as it is a monthly subscription you can enter in any month of the calendar year and stop at any time. Remember, CSP gives you the flexibility to alter your subscription, in numbers and services, per month.

Will access to my tenancy or subscription be terminated if I do not pay my bill?

Ultimately yes. Clearly, we all want to avoid this situation. We follow normal processes to retrieve the money for services provided, but we are within our rights to terminate if your invoices are not being paid in a timely manner.