When it comes to licensing Microsoft technologies, customers have two options: Microsoft Volume Licensing or the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) program. Lately, more and more businesses worldwide have been transitioning to the CSP program. However, there are certain things one should have in mind before making this decision. Therefore, today we want to talk about 5 important differences between these programs.
Software Assurance
Microsoft Volume Licensing
As mentioned in one of our previous articles, Software Assurance is the insurance for the customer’s investment in Microsoft Software licenses. It has numerous components that benefit customers, such as License Mobility and reassigning licenses without the 90-day waiting period for eligible licenses.
You can read more details about SA, here.
CSP Program
The CSP program does not offer SA. However, there are different aspects from the CSP program that one might find beneficial and/or helpful.
Read more about the benefits of licensing your Microsoft products in the CSP program, here.
Coverage or use
Microsoft Volume Licensing
Volume licensing agreements are based on coverage and deployment. This means that one must have the appropriate license for every software installed or used, as well as for every device or user.
Under the Open Value Agreement, the customer needs to cover each device for (at least) the Office Suite, Client Access License, or Windows Enterprise; whether you need/use the technology in the entire organization or not.
CSP Program
On the other hand, the CSP program is based on usage. This means that you can subscribe to certain services for certain users. You do not need to assign or subscribe to licenses for the entire organization if they don’t need them.
Read more about the benefits of personalizing your Microsoft licenses with the CSP program in this article.
No minimum/maximum number of licenses
Microsoft Volume Licensing
The Volume Licensing program is designed at a discounted price according to volume. The minimum license purchase for this program is five. Although there is no maximum set, it is recommended to not get more than 750 devices/users and use Enterprise Agreement (EA) above this number.
CSP Program
This program does not have a minimum or maximum of licenses required, and it also doesn’t have level-based pricing.
Billing
Microsoft Volume Licensing
With this program you will receive an upfront one-time or annual invoice from your licensing partner. However, if you have different partners for deployment or management for your IT infrastructure, you will receive multiple invoices from each partner.
CSP Program
In this program, one CSP partner will provide deployment and management of your subscriptions. You will receive a bill consolidating all your services.
*Note: With a CSP partner you will receive a monthly invoice and pay only for what you used during that month.
There is no right or wrong answer for which program you should choose. Always take into consideration your organization’s needs and the information we just provided to you.
Venti Exchange offers licensing under both the CSP program and Open Value Agreement. For more information, please visit our Microsoft volume licensing page or book a personalized-free consultation with one of our licensing experts.
