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Category Archives: Cloud Solution Provider Program

Can I use CSP for Windows Server and not SPLA?

30 Jul

No.  How about that for a short answer?

We have been asked multiple times on this topic. It is not impossible, but not really viable either. Let me explain.

If you are CSP Direct authorized (or CSP Reseller), you could resell your end customer Windows and/or SQL Server subscriptions through CSP and host it in a dedicated infrastructure. I do not think it is really worth the time and effort just to host Windows and SQL. The cost in licensing is not that substantial from SPLA. If Microsoft allowed a service provider to host it on shared infrastructure than that would be a different story. You cannot purchase Windows through CSP and host it. Remember, Server Subscriptions for on premise deployments follow the Product Terms, which of course prohibits hosting.
If you are an ISV and want to host your application from your own datacenter, I would consider CSP Servers. Under the current Product Terms, Microsoft will allow Self-Hosted rights. I think this reduces your compliance risk since SPLA is tricky to license to begin with.

Isn’t licensing fun? We provide consulting services around these offerings. If you have questions, feel free to email us at info@splalicensing.com

Thanks for reading.

SPLA Man

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Posted by on July 30, 2020 in Cloud Solution Provider Program, Self Hosted, Uncategorized

 

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What are your top 5 reasons for continuing with SPLA over CSP

23 Jul

Let us know!  Email info@splalicensing.com We are conducting a study to understand the hosting world better.

Here’s my top 5

  1. Cost.  Yes I can buy a Windows Server Subscription through CSP and save consumption costs by deploying through Azure, but my datacenter costs are consistent and can offer a fixed price point to my customers.
  2. Confusing.  I thought SPLA was confusing, CSP is just a complex.  Want CSP Windows Server on prem?  You cannot host if you do!  Want CSP Incentives?  You are better off reading the SPUR, it’s an easier read!  Want the new CSP perpetual license?  That’s fine, but don’t plan on hosting or having your customer transfer that license into your datacenter.  No Software Assurance equals no License Mobility
  3. Dedicated Infrastructure.  With Listed Provider rules, I can offer dedicated hosts and compete with larger hosting companies.
  4. Local Support.  My customers want their data local and with someone they know.
  5. You can do both.  We can offer E3 plans or Windows 10 to my end users through CSP, but use SPLA for infrastructure solutions  for my financial customer or ISV solutions.

What do you think?  Bad list?  Good list?  Anything additional?

Stay tuned for reasons to do CSP over SPLA in my next post.  Here’s a hint…compliance.

Thanks for reading,

SPLA Man.

 
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Posted by on July 23, 2020 in Cloud Solution Provider Program, Uncategorized

 

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Licensing CSP On Premise Products

17 Jul

Recently, Microsoft announced a new offering for CSP Indirect providers who are also Microsoft Authorized Distributors for the Open License program.  In January 2021 (If he world is still around)  Microsoft will extend this to both CSP Direct bill partners, indirect providers, and indirect resellers.

The breakdown:

  1. It’s a perpetual license. Unlike other solutions through CSP, this is not a subscription.  It requires a single, upfront payment.
  2. No volume discounts.  There’s no minimum requirement and to no one’s surprise, no maximum either.
  3. Software Assurance (SA) is not available.  One key element, no SA benefits are included either such a license mobility.   With SPLA as an example, SA was not included but part of the program benefit was pay as you go.  CSP for on-premise, there is no such benefit.
  4. The use rights are outlined in the Product Terms, not the SPUR or Online Services Terms.

Available Products

  • Windows Desktop and Servers
    • Windows 10 Pro
    • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC Upgrade
    • Windows STD and DC core licenses
    • Windows CALs and External Connector
    • RDS CALS and External Connector
    • RMS CALs and External Connector
  • SQL
    • Standard Server licenses and CALs
    • Standard and Enterprise Core licenses
  • Productivity Servers
    • Exchange Server and STD/Ent CALs
    • SharePoint Server and STD/Ent CALs
    • Skype for Business – Server and STD/ENT Plus CALs
    • Project Server 2019 Server and CALs
  • Office
    • Standard 2019 and Pro Plus 2019
    • Mac STD 2019
  • Project and Visio
    • Standard and Professional 2019
    • Visio Standard and Professional 2019

Deployment Options * See last paragraph for additional information

  • Physical or virtual environments
  • 90 days License reassignment

Upgrade Rights

  • No upgrade rights
  • Any prior version can be licensed.

Accessing Software Keys

Microsoft 365 Admin Center –  Like other CSP licenses, everything is deployed through the admin portal.  The current version and two previous versions are available.  If the customer has media from earlier versions, they can legally license it with their CSP on premise license.

If you are a SPLA Provider, you cannot license CSP on-premise and host.  The CSP for on-premise follows the Product Terms not the SPUR.   Secondly, you cannot have your end customers buy CSP for on-premise and host it on your shared infrastructure.  Last, because there’s no SA with these licenses, you cannot self-host (for ISVs) using this solution.   An alternative, would be to use Windows and SQL Server Subscriptions and host in Azure.

Confused yet?  Email info@splalicensing.com to learn more.

Thanks for reading,

SPLA Man

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2020 in Cloud Solution Provider Program, Uncategorized

 

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New Name Change for Office 365

01 Apr

Microsoft announced a renaming of the Office 365 bundles to Microsoft 365.  This will go into effect April 21.  Yeah, I know.  Just when we were getting used to the different products!

The features, pricing, and programmatic details do not change, just the name.  That being said, it is important to realize this change so you can inform your end customers.  Since the Product name changed, so will your invoice from Microsoft or your CSP Provider.

Office 365 Pro Plus is now Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise

Office 365 Business is now Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

Office 365 Business Essentials is not Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Office 365 Business Premium is now called Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Business is not Microsoft 365 Business Premium

No new changes with SPLA as it relates to Office.  Still per user per month.

Thanks for reading,

SPLA Man

 

 
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Posted by on April 1, 2020 in Cloud Solution Provider Program, Uncategorized

 

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Top 5 CSP Questions…Answered

24 Aug

Here are a few hot topics this week around CSP.  Enjoy!

What would happen if I sell myself Office Pro Plus through my own CSP authorization?  Can I do that?

No.  You cannot sell yourself Office 365 Pro Plus licenses.  You can purchase it through any volume licensing program or through another CSP provider.  Might be a good way to check out the competition support processes though!

If you are CSP authorized in Australia, but have customers in UK, can you resell Office 365 through CSP?

No. You can only resell in the region in which you are authorized. 

If my end customer purchased Office 365 Pro Plus through Volume Licensing, can I host it from my datacenter if I am QMTH authorized?

Yes. The end customer can purchase from any licensing program as long as it is Office 365 Pro Plus version.  As the service provider, you must be QMTH authorized.

 

If I purchase CSP licenses indirectly from my distributor, do I qualify for QMTH?

No.  You must CSP Direct authorized in order to that.  You cannot purchase from a distributor and offer VDI or Office Pro Plus.

If I sell Azure through CSP, how do I know which region my data is located?

With Azure, you get to pick the region.

If I sell Office 365 through CSP, which region is my service hosted from?

The address on the invoice determines the location of the services. 

***Watch out for the new Microsoft Cloud Agreement (MCA) coming in September.  You can download the old version here

Thanks for reading,

SPLA Man

 
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Posted by on August 24, 2017 in Cloud Solution Provider Program

 

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