Microsoft has announced a pilot programme that will see multiyear subscription licenses trialled within the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme.
The pilot launches on 1st February and is aimed at supporting customers who require longer price protection and certainty when making investments in Microsoft technology. Until now, the CSP programme had only offered price protection on a per subscription basis for 12 months. This pilot will see CSP achieving parity with Enterprise Agreements on price protection for 3-year subscription offerings.
Initially, the pilot will be limited to several Dynamics 365 subscriptions. Then assuming this initial test phase is successful then Microsoft plan to expand this out to all subscriptions within the CSP programme later this year.
Since its launch, the CSP programme has proved extremely popular with customers, providing a platform to purchase cloud subscriptions alongside services from partners like Trustmarque. From a licensing perspective, CSP appeals with its cost effective, zero commitment to licensing which allows customers to adjust licensing to reflect usage on a monthly basis.
One of the few criticisms of the programme, compared with traditional licensing models, was the lack of long-term price protection. The announcement of this pilot looks to address this and further strengthen CSP as a compelling proposition. The pilot is the latest in a succession of offerings being bought to CSP after the introduction of on-premise licensing, in the form of server subscriptions (Window Server and SQL) late last year.
Cloud Enterprise Services Portal
As a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider, we are perfectly placed to advise you on the best methods to optimise your investment in cloud computing technology. In addition, our Cloud Enterprise Services Portal allows you to manage and procure all your Microsoft cloud products and services in one place, whether they are purchased via CSP or Enterprise Agreements.
If you are interested in understanding more about the CSP programme and how it may benefit your organisation, please contact your Trustmarque Account Manager or email [email protected]
By Tom McEwing.
Tom is one of our Microsoft Licensing Specialists who advises our customers on how to get the most from their Microsoft volume licensing and contracts.
