The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program is a Microsoft partner programme that allows authorised partners to sell, manage and support Microsoft cloud products and services for customers.
Through CSP, partners can provide Microsoft subscriptions alongside their own services, support, billing, and customer management. This makes CSP an important route to market for resellers, distributors, managed service providers and other cloud partners.
The programme includes different partner models, including direct-bill partners, indirect providers or distributors, and indirect resellers. In the indirect model, distributors purchase cloud offerings from Microsoft and enable indirect resellers to sell, provision, and support those offerings for end customers.
For partners managing Microsoft New Commerce Experience (NCE) subscriptions, CSP is the operational framework through which renewals, billing, customer relationships and subscription lifecycle decisions are handled.
Why the CSP Program matters
The CSP Program matters because it places partners at the centre of the customer relationship. Partners are not only reselling licences; they are also involved in managing subscription terms, billing, support, renewals and customer experience.
For Microsoft NCE, this role has become more operationally important. Partners need to track term end dates, renewal settings, cancellation decisions and billing changes accurately. This is especially important where delayed renewal decisions can create cost exposure, such as under Microsoft Extended Service Terms (EST).
CSP and subscription management
In CSP, partners manage customer subscriptions through Partner Centre or through integrated platforms. This includes purchasing subscriptions, changing licence quantities, managing renewal settings, handling billing and supporting customers during the subscription lifecycle.
For indirect resellers, the distributor relationship is especially important because the distributor enables ordering, provisioning and billing. The reseller usually owns the customer relationship, while the distributor manages the commercial relationship with Microsoft.
Related terms
Microsoft New Commerce Experience (NCE): Microsoft’s modern commerce framework for purchasing and managing cloud subscriptions through defined term commitments, renewal rules and cancellation windows.
Microsoft Extended Service Terms (EST): A paid continuation mechanism for eligible NCE subscriptions that reach term end without an explicit renewal or cancellation.
Indirect reseller: A CSP partner that sells Microsoft cloud services to customers through a distributor or indirect provider.
Distributor / indirect provider: A CSP partner that purchases cloud offers from Microsoft and enables indirect resellers to sell and provision those offers to customers.
Subscription management: The process of managing the full lifecycle of a customer subscription, including subscription terms, quantities, billing, renewals, cancellations and customer lifecycle events.
FAQ
What is the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program?
The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program is a partner programme that enables authorised partners to sell, manage and support Microsoft cloud services for customers.
Who uses the CSP Program?
The CSP Program is used by Microsoft partners, including direct-bill partners, indirect providers or distributors, indirect resellers and managed service providers.
What is the difference between a CSP distributor and an indirect reseller?
A distributor, also known as an indirect provider, purchases cloud offerings from Microsoft and enables indirect resellers to sell and provision them. An indirect reseller owns the customer relationship and sells Microsoft cloud services through the distributor.
Why is CSP important for Microsoft NCE renewals?
CSP is the channel through which many Microsoft NCE subscriptions are purchased and managed. This means partners must accurately track renewal dates, billing rules, cancellation decisions, and subscription changes.
How does CSP relate to Microsoft EST?
Microsoft EST applies to eligible NCE subscriptions managed through CSP when they reach term end without a clear renewal or cancellation decision. This makes CSP subscription visibility and renewal management especially important.
