You can partner with Microsoft to sell, manage, and support cloud subscriptions while keeping control over customer relationships, billing, and services. The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program lets you deliver Microsoft cloud products with flexible licensing and direct billing options, so you can create recurring revenue and tailor solutions to your customers’ needs.
This article explains how the CSP model works, the differences between indirect and direct partnerships, and the practical steps to enroll and scale your offering. Expect clear guidance on responsibilities, benefits, and the choices that determine your path to becoming a CSP so you can decide which approach fits your business goals.
Overview of Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider
Microsoft’s CSP program lets you buy, manage, and support Microsoft cloud subscriptions through a partner who handles billing, licensing, and technical services. You get a single commercial relationship and options for managed services, licensing flexibility, and direct support lines.
Definition and Purpose
A Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) is a partner authorized to provision, manage, and support Microsoft cloud services on your behalf. CSPs act as the billing and support contact, consolidating subscriptions for Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and other services into one invoice.
You rely on the CSP to handle provisioning, license renewals, and billing adjustments, which reduces vendor complexity and administrative overhead. CSP partners also deliver value-added services—migration, ongoing managed services, custom integrations, and advisory support—so you can combine Microsoft licensing with operational expertise.
Key Features and Benefits
CSPs provide consolidated billing, subscription lifecycle management, and a single support channel for troubleshooting and service changes. Consolidated billing simplifies cost tracking and payment processes across Microsoft services.
You gain licensing flexibility: CSPs can add, remove, or change seats and subscriptions on demand, which helps match costs to active usage. Partners often bundle managed services—security monitoring, backups, migration assistance—delivering operational support beyond basic licensing.
Expect faster provisioning and partner-driven technical escalation paths, which reduce time-to-value compared with direct vendor procurement. For compliance and governance, many CSPs provide policy configuration and reporting tailored to your industry requirements.
Types of Microsoft CSP Programs
There are two primary CSP engagement models: indirect reseller (through an indirect provider) and direct partner. As an indirect reseller, you work with a CSP partner who relies on an indirect provider for backend operations, billing platform, and margin management. This model suits smaller partners or those preferring not to manage Microsoft-facing responsibilities.
As a direct CSP, the partner has a direct relationship with Microsoft, handling billing, support, and partner-of-record responsibilities themselves. Direct CSPs suit larger organizations that can manage billing infrastructure, support SLAs, and direct Microsoft compliance requirements.
When choosing, consider your need for managed services, billing consolidation, and the partner’s technical competency, SLAs, and industry-specific experience.
How to Become a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider
You need to meet business, technical, and contractual criteria, complete an online enrollment, and choose a partner model that matches how you’ll bill and support customers. Plan for identity verification, a Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) ID, and either direct or indirect billing relationships.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have an active legal business entity, a public business domain, and an MPN account tied to that domain. Microsoft requires identity verification and tax information for billing and compliance, so prepare your company registration, VAT/GST number (if applicable), and a government ID for the primary contact.
Demonstrate technical capability by assigning at least one role with Azure or Microsoft 365 competency or completing Microsoft’s authorized trainings. You’ll also need a support framework—ticketing, SLAs, and billing processes—because CSP partners manage customer billing and first-line support.
Security and compliance expectations include using secure authentication (Azure AD), data handling policies, and adherence to Microsoft licensing terms. If you plan to resell internationally, verify local reseller laws and any country-specific Microsoft requirements before enrolling.
Enrollment Process
Start at Partner Center by signing in with your MPN account and selecting the CSP enrollment option. Choose whether to enroll as a direct partner (direct billing and provisioning) or as an indirect reseller (work under an authorized distributor); the choice affects capital, support obligations, and technical requirements.
Complete online forms with company, tax, and payment details, then submit identity verification documents. If you select direct partner status, expect an additional verification step and stricter program requirements including higher support and technical capabilities.
After approval, configure your tenant: set up billing profiles, pricing margins, and customer management roles in Partner Center. Integrate your CRM and billing systems using available APIs if you automate provisioning or invoicing. Finally, train your sales and support teams on licensing rules and monthly billing cadence.
Partner Levels and Tiers
CSP participation breaks down by billing model and partner capabilities: indirect reseller, indirect provider (distributor), and direct partner. Indirect reseller sells through an authorized distributor who handles billing and platform obligations; indirect providers supply services to resellers. Direct partners handle billing, support, and provisioning themselves.
Microsoft also organizes partners by competencies and solution areas (for example, Data & AI or Business Applications). Earning competencies requires passing technical assessments, customer references, and minimum consumption or revenue targets, which unlock benefits like incentives, technical support, and go-to-market resources.
Choose the tier that matches your capital, support readiness, and growth plans. If you lack billing infrastructure or want lower entry costs, start as an indirect reseller. If you need full control over margins and customer relationships and can meet higher requirements, pursue direct partner status and advanced competencies.