What is a CSP – Hoster?

CSP Hoster allows a CSP Direct provider (Who has SPLA) to install, manage, and host CSP products to third parties.  Currently, you have to be authorized by Microsoft.  My take?  Don’t worry about #CSPHoster if you are not authorized.  Flexible Virtualization is your better option.

What is Flexible Virtualization?

Flexible Virtualization (Sometimes not so flexible..haha) allows end customers to bring licenses with SA or subscriptions to an authorized outsourcer.  Similar to license mobility without the forms.  The only issue I see with Flexible Virtualization is that there are so many ways to purchase licenses.

What is an Authorized Outsourcer?

Glad you asked.  EVERYONE can be an authorized outsourcer.  My 90-year-old neighbor (Sorry, Helen) can be an authorized outsourcer, and so can most hosters.  You DO NOT have to have a SPLA agreement to be an authorized outsourcer.  An authorized outsourcer is not a Listed Provider.  The bad news is competition has grown exponentially with this definition.  Since you do not have to have a SPLA, now SPLA and Managed Service Providers (MSP) are competing.  Differentiate yourself.

How do you differentiate yourself?

Know the licensing.  Think of a simple product like Windows Server.  SPLA, you license the physical cores.  EA, you license server, and CALs.  Flexible Virtualization: you can license by virtual core.  There’s a lot of confusion.  When there is confusion, there is opportunity.

Is License Mobility dead?

Like my neighbor, Helen, it does appear license mobility has one foot in the grave, doesn’t it?  License Mobility exists because of Listed Providers.  Since listed providers are not allowed to be an authorized outsourcers, license mobility is required in those scenarios where end customers are using AWS and the like.

What about QMTH?

Unlike Helen, she’s dead.

What about SPLA?

SPLA will never die.  In fact, Microsoft has incentives for hosters who report over 2 million a year in licensing.  If you have a question on that, email info@splalicensing.com

Can I mix SPLA and BYOL?

Yes.  But not for the same product.  For example, you can’t license Windows by SPLA and Windows by EA. 

SPLA Audits dead?

No.  It’s kind of like the 80’s Simple Minds song; they are alive and kicking.  It’s a great song, by the way.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljIQo1OHkTI                     

Anything else?

Licensing questions are endless.  Have a question?  Email or leave a message.  Together, we can uncover the complexities of Microsoft licensing.

Thanks for reading,

SPLA Man

PS – I was being goofy. I do not have a neighbor Helen.