In This Article |
Overview
The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program is a partner program that enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Value-Added Resellers (VARs), and other IT service providers to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services for their customers. The CSP program allows partners to offer a range of Microsoft cloud solutions, such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure, while providing value-added services, such as the following:
- Manage cloud services through a single, unified portal
- Provisioning and deployment help
- Resolving performance & service availability issues
- Managing updates for services and software
- Answering usage questions
- Flexible billing options and subscription support
Overall, the Microsoft CSP program provides a flexible, scalable, and customizable solution for partners like XTIUM to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services for you, the customer.
XTIUM and the Microsoft CSP Partner Program
- XTIUM is a Direct (Tier 1) CSP partner, and can sell Microsoft CSP products to customers with Microsoft cloud accounts/tenants in the US, CA, UK & EU.
- Microsoft provides XTIUM a single, unified portal to manage our CSP customers. This is called the Microsoft CSP portal, and is also known as the CSP Partner Center portal.
- XTIUM does not have a customer facing, self-service portal for subscription purchasing and management.
- XTIUM does not offer any Microsoft funded workshops or assessments for customers.
NOTE As a Microsoft customer, you can have relationships with multiple Microsoft CSP partners at the same time, which means XTIUM may not be your only CSP partner. For example:
Additionally, you can purchase Microsoft subscriptions from multiple purchasing channels including Microsoft CSP partners. |
IMPORTANT Your 365 tenant is hosted by Microsoft and belongs to you, the customer. When you establish a reseller relationship with XTIUM, and we sell you Microsoft subscription licenses, you still retain ownership and control of your 365 tenant including all data. XTIUM acts as a partner with you, and provides Microsoft subscriptions and support services only. |
Microsoft Purchasing Channels
Microsoft has multiple purchasing channels for you to purchase Microsoft's cloud products. Some examples are:
- Web Direct - You purchase directly from Microsoft in your M365 Admin Portal using a credit card.
- Volume License Reseller - You purchase from a reseller using a Microsoft purchasing agreement (Enterprise Agreement, Open Agreement, etc.). XTIUM is not a volume license reseller.
- Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) - You purchase from a Microsoft CSP partner. XTIUM is a Microsoft CSP partner.
Microsoft Subscription Transfers
Microsoft does not have a process to transfer seat-based licenses between most purchasing channels. However, Microsoft recently released a back-end process to transfer seat-based subscriptions (M365, O365, D365, W365, etc.) between Microsoft CSP partners.
If you want to transition your subscriptions to another purchasing channel, you will need to finish your current subscription commitments first. If you want to transfer your subscriptions to another Microsoft CSP partner, reach out to your XTIUM representative for availability and approval.
NOTE Microsoft also has a back-end process to transfer Azure subscriptions between Microsoft CSP partners. |
Microsoft Tenant/Account
Your Microsoft Tenant/Account in Microsoft's cloud is located in a specific region (US, CA, UK, EU, etc.), and your services & data are homed within one or more datacenters in that region. Your region is determined by your physical address, which is entered during the initial tenant/account setup process.
XTIUM can only sell Microsoft subscription products and services to commercial customers with tenants/accounts residing in the US, CA, UK, & EU regions.
NOTE A Microsoft tenant/account in Microsoft's cloud can be referred to by multiple names, which are all the same thing. Here are some examples:
The term Tenant is the most common reference to an account in Microsoft's cloud, and you should always refer to it as a Tenant using one of the above examples. For example, a 365 tenant or an Azure tenant. Furthermore, you can have multiple tenants in Microsoft's cloud, which is usually due to mergers and acquisitions. However, you may have multiple tenants for compliance or security reasons. Again, it is recommended to always refer to an account in Microsoft's cloud as a Tenant. |
Components & Services in a Tenant
Your tenant in Microsoft's cloud has multiple components and services:
- Microsoft 365 Services - Includes Office 365 & Microsoft 365 seat-based products
- Dynamics 365 Services - Microsoft's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) products
- Windows 365 Services - Microsoft's Cloud PC virtual desktop products
- Power Platform - Microsoft's Business Intelligence (BI), automation, and low-code application products
- Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft's identity platform (Azure AD) including Microsoft Entra ID products to authorize and secure identities
- Azure Subscription Services - One or more subscriptions that contain Microsoft's infrastructure, database, and application services
NOTE In the above diagram, all components and services in your tenant use Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) for basic access & authorization, and you can purchase Microsoft Entra ID products to enable premium access & authorization features. Additionally, you can have multiple Azure subscriptions in your tenant. Each Azure subscription is a logical container with its own set of access permissions and typically hosts one or more of the following:
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