Direct CSPs have until August 31 to review and meet the new requirements for Microsoft CSP Tier 1 partners. As a direct billing partner, you have an end-to-end relationship with your customer and with Microsoft. As a direct billing partner, you have an end-to-end relationship with your customer and with Microsoft. We have updated the registration requirements for direct billing partners effective October 27, 2020. These requirements help you accelerate the growth of your business with the right cloud solution provider model and strengthen your relationships with your customers with value-added services and support. New Microsoft requirements for direct billing partners. Support To meet strict support requirements, direct partners must have a support contract (minimum) of $15,000 with Microsoft. But with that, they can be sure of the direct support of their customers by the people who build the customer`s cloud. Microsoft announced that, based on feedback from partners, they are extending the exemption for CSP direct revenue requirements (you know, $300,000 CSP revenue) for service providers in the QMTH program. You must meet two criteria: Once we have verified that your business meets the eligibility criteria for registration as a direct billing partner and you have completed the application for registration, we review and verify the business information you provided in the registration process. As part of this review, we check the creditworthiness of your business.

We will notify you by email if your company has passed the credit check. After verifying that you meet the minimum requirements to register as a direct billing partner, you can proceed to the registration form. Review the requirements to become a Cloud Solution Provider Partner. Microsoft notified its direct CSPs via email on May 10 of the new requirements for Microsoft Tier 1 CSP partners to participate in the direct model and the increased associated costs. If you are an existing partner, either directly or indirectly, the new requirements may surprise you. A major change is the new McA (Microsoft Customer Agreement), which will replace the MPSA (Microsoft Products and Services Agreement Enterprise Agreement). Until July 2018, this was the method by which companies and corporate customers made purchases. QMTH managed service providers need to be particularly aware. This is because if you offer your customers jointly activated software (such as Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise / Office 365 ProPlus) on jointly activated hardware, you must be a qualified shared hosting partner (QMTH). To become one, you must sign the QMTH addendum to your SPLA contract, but you must also be a direct CSP partner. If you are such a CSP partner but do not meet the new requirements, you can no longer be a direct CSP partner, you are no longer eligible for QMTH and therefore you can no longer offer your Office 365 or Windows 10 customers from your datacenter. In recent years, many partners around the world have worked tirelessly to attract customers and help them adopt Microsoft technologies.

Initially, the process of becoming a partner had fewer requirements. Since then, the number of partners has grown exponentially and in a relatively short period of time. Direct partners have effectively become a point of communication between Microsoft and end users. Before we understand these requirements, let`s briefly review some basics. Tier 1 cloud solution providers like Atmosera pride themselves on demonstrating the expert support, convenient billing capabilities, and high-quality service required to become a Microsoft partner. These achievements are accompanied by a direct line with Microsoft. This allows premium access to new Developments from Microsoft or quick and competent support when a customer needs to escalate a problem. Cloud solution providers are working hard to take advantage of these world-class opportunities. Microsoft defines several conditions and standards that its partners must meet to qualify as a Level 1 CSP.

When a company chooses a Tier 1 cloud solution provider, it gets the following services and support. Support plan options based on new requirements for Microsoft Tier-1 CSP partners are: Let`s take a look at the new requirements microsoft is applying: If you`re still wondering which level is best for your business, consider the following: Important information for Microsoft CSP partners. The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program helps customers and partners create a new business experience while moving their business to the cloud. To become a CSP partner, you must meet certain requirements. Now, Microsoft has tightened the reins. As part of the development of the CSP program, Microsoft has now imposed new requirements on companies to maintain or acquire “direct partner” status. The new program takes into account the amount of investment a partner needs to support their cloud business and stay competitive. Digital transformation is becoming an essential part of every company`s overall business strategy.

The wave of digitalization is undoubtedly leading to many changes in the way a company and its customers interact and do business. Tech giant – Microsoft has updated the registration requirements for partners with direct billing in its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, taking into account the growing needs of digital businesses. You have introduced a new set of requirements for Microsoft CSP Tier 1 partners. Current Direct Bill partners must meet the following new requirements to stay in the Direct Bill CSP Partner Program: Whether you are ready or not, once your partnership anniversary month is over, your organization must meet the new Direct Partner requirements. Otherwise, you won`t be able to add new customers or services. Review the information in this article to understand the requirements to participate in microsoft`s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. There are two different levels of Microsoft cloud solution providers: Level 1 and Level 2. Like all options in your cloud infrastructure, the type of CSP model you choose will affect the success of your business. The biggest difference between CSP models is that Level 1 CSPs are direct partners, while Level 2 CSPs are indirect partners. A Level 1 CSP works directly with Microsoft by purchasing products at the source and displaying the stricter standards that Microsoft has for itself and its partners. Meanwhile, Level 2 CSPs work with Microsoft through third-party vendors. Developing a Level 2 CSP model is faster and does not involve as many strict requirements as a Level 1 model.

Sources: msdynamicsworld.com/story/microsoft-advises-direct-cloud-solution-providers-csps-new-costs-performance-standards * www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/is-digital-a-priority-for-your-industry/ A partner can choose to be a direct Microsoft CSP partner or an indirect provider, depending on whether or not it can meet the needs of each model. Partners participating in the CSP program can benefit from five key value principles. 2 different levels There are two different levels within the CSP program. Small Microsoft partners, who primarily serve SMBs with the cloud business as a secondary focus, can join the CSP program as indirect resellers. This means they will work with a CSP reseller, usually an IT distributor. The CSP reseller will charge the indirect CSP reseller and can assist with billing, support, and other services. Larger, cloud-first IT partners and larger or larger customers can sign up as CSP direct resellers. This means they have arranged 24/7 customer support and monthly billing. Second, they receive a monthly bill directly from Microsoft for the cloud services used by their customers. Here`s an overview of the requirements for both models: Direct billing partners must generate at least $300,000 in annual revenue under the Cloud Solution Provider program over the past twelve months. If the revenue target is not met, the partners are removed from the program. Starting in March 2021, Microsoft will outsource partners who have not met the requirements as soon as their support contract ends.

With the introduction of the CSP program a few years ago, Microsoft wanted to get as many partners in the direct (Tier-1) model as possible. Microsoft believed that each partner would become a cloud-only partner because that was where the world was evolving. A large portion of today`s CSP partners with direct billing don`t handle as many transactions and aren`t able to offer 24/7 support to their customers, for example. Customers complain and Microsoft makes changes. In other words, Microsoft is tightening the reins…