Securing CSP: Licensing doesn’t have to be scary!

If you've ever had experience with purchasing and managing licensing, then you know it can be downright scary sometimes! It can be complex, expensive, and rarely stays the same. As new technology emerges and the demands of the industry and users change, so does the licensing and security that complements it. But just because licensing becomes more agile doesn't mean that you don't have to be, too.?

In this edition of The SoftwareOne Scoop, we discuss what the 微软 Cloud Solution Provider (CSP ) program is and how it differs from the traditional Enterprise Agreement, break down why M365 + Security on CSP could be a suitable licensing agreement for your organization, and help you prepare with the following steps to get started, so fearful licensing renewals are a thing of the past.

What is CSP? Arming you with a license to thrill!?

微软 's Cloud Solution Provider, better known as 'CSP,' is an innovative and flexible licensing agreement designed to empower Microsoft partners to offer a blend of Microsoft products alongside their offerings to clients. Before we get into this, let's discuss how this differs from the traditional Enterprise Agreement (EA) . A Microsoft EA is a three-year agreement designed to provide value to companies with 500 or more users or devices. With an EA, customers participate in an annual 'true-up,' adding or removing licensing once a year at their anniversary. Customers can also anticipate predictable, scheduled payments and assistance from a managing partner.??

Alternatively, the CSP offering encompasses various solutions, including public cloud subscriptions like Office 365, Windows, Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS), (M365 suite), Azure, Dynamics 365, and select on-premises license-only products. While this program primarily focuses on cloud services, it also extends support for transitioning on-premises licenses to the cloud through the assistance of your Microsoft CSP partner.?

Taking the M(ystery) out of CSP & M365 Security

Let’s shake those cobwebs off and discuss a few of the reasons why many organizations opt for the CSP agreement.? ?

1) Flexibility.??

The CSP model offers cost-effective licensing solutions that align well with a company's budgetary needs. Microsoft partners invoice the selected services monthly or annually, depending on the organization's contract and requirements. Moreover, companies have the option to cancel at any time, as well as add/remove licenses at any time.??

You rarely hear ‘flexibility’ and ‘security’ in the same sentence. However, CSP allows this to ring true. As security becomes increasingly more critical for organizations, CSP is an excellent option for ensuring your organization licenses users as needed for optimal safety and success. Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive security solution, safeguarding identities, data, applications, and devices across on-premises, cloud, and mobile environments. Depending on your specific licensing options, you can leverage various security features tailored to your needs as you need them.??

2) No extended contract obligations.??

Without obligatory long-term commitments, companies can scale their operations as needed. The CSP agreement will automatically renew every 12 months. However, you have the option to make changes with each new month. So, if your organizational needs change regarding user numbers or you need to add a new security product, you can do it immediately, and your agreement will adjust as necessary. This flexibility is often the first thing drawing organizations toward CSPs and away from EAs.?

3) Support when you need it the most.??

You'll likely require assistance from a partner at some point in your journey. How you access this support and how your partner offers it will be contingent upon your choice of approach. If you go with the traditional EA, your primary interaction will be with Microsoft, and the specific components of your agreement will determine the extent of assistance you receive. On the other hand, if you decide on a CSP agreement, your support will come from your selected partner, not directly from Microsoft. Some organizations find this approach preferable, allowing them to establish a close working relationship with the partner to ensure all their requirements are met. Furthermore, you might discover that a local partner can offer more extensive engagement and faster responses to technical and billing issues compared to what Microsoft might provide.?

Ghoulishly good next steps??

If you need help figuring out where to start, don't panic! We have you covered. Think of us as your 'Mystery Incorporated' team. We've solved many licensing mysteries and are ready to keep that momentum going!

First, we recommend talking with your licensing and services partner to understand when your contract is up for renewal and what the transition will look like.??

SoftwareOne recommends that an organization begin reviewing its Microsoft software approximately 120 days (about four months) before the contract anniversary date. Your partner should discuss which products you want to deploy and which bundles will provide the most cost savings.???

Furthermore, customers still determining what's best for their organization can participate in a Microsoft Data Security Engagement, revealing hidden compliance and risks in their data. Following the assessment, plan to receive accurate data and compliance posture analysis based on the customer's environment. Working with a trusted Microsoft partner such as SoftwareOne will ensure that the recommendations and licensing focus on the organization's specific compliance needs.???

And that’s the scoop! We’d love to hear from you. What did you like? What do you want to see more of? Leave us a comment below??? ?so we can make sure we’re serving up the best content for you. And don't forget to subscribe??? ?so you don’t miss our next edition!??