Perpetual software licenses now available in the Cloud Solution Provider program

Impacted Audience

CSP Indirect Resellers and qualified CSP Indirect Providers

Summary

At Microsoft, we’re committed to supporting every organization with their digital transformation journey. We do this by investing not just in technology but also examining the end-to-end customer and partner journey, from acquiring our technology to their support experience. Through this work, we have
identified an opportunity to transform ourselves—by investing in our commerce platform. We will also simplify licensing programs while we evolve the new commerce experience so that we can enhance how we provide more opportunities to our partners.

As we improve our commerce capabilities to provide customers and partners with a better buying experience, we are expanding the offer portfolio to include the availability of (perpetual) software licenses within the Cloud Solution Provider program (CSP). Beginning July 1, 2020, a set of qualified indirect providers and their indirect resellers will be able to transact licenses for on-premises software with customers through the CSP program. The addition of software licenses in CSP allows participating partners to focus on offering diverse solutions and managed services. It also empowers customers’ transition to the cloud and gives partners the flexibility needed for customer hybrid cloud environments. Qualified partners are managed by Microsoft and must be both active CSP indirect providers and Microsoft Authorized Distributors for the Open License program operating in geography currently supported for the sale of software within CSP. Starting in January 2021, Microsoft will scale this capability further through all CSP direct bill partners, indirect providers, and indirect resellers to sell
software licenses within the CSP program.

Software license offers are currently available in 123 countries and will expand to more than 60 additional emerging markets in the coming months. Ordering software licenses for customers with a signed Microsoft Customer Agreement means customers no longer need to sign additional licensing agreements which accelerates order fulfillment and provides customers with immediate access to the software they need. The fulfillment of bits and keys in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (MAC) further enhances the secure delivery of software purchased and allows customers to manage their subscriptions and self-serve at their convenience, improving the customer experience.

Next Steps/Resources:

• Review the Software in CSP business strategy overview, FAQ, operations guide, and other readiness materials in the Operations Readiness resource gallery collection: Perpetual software in the Cloud Solution Provider program.

• For partners eligible to transact starting January 2021, review the informative assets and plan to participate in official readiness and training activities when announced in the second quarter (Q2) of FY21.