Tag Archives: CSP

Extended Service Term in CSP

Microsoft announce that from April 1, 2026, a new option called the Extended Service Term (EST) will be available when CSP subscriptions expire. Customers currently have the choice to renew automatically, and if they don’t, the subscription goes into a grace period, meaning no loss of service. From April 1, 2026, the grace period will no longer exist. Instead, the options will be to either renew automatically, cancel at expiry, or leave auto-renew off and move to EST. When the subscription is in the EST a new SKU is used, and service continues – billed at an uplifted rate. EST allows customers to maintain access to their services while they decide their next steps, at which point they have flexibility to take another route.

An overview of the details and a useful timeline can be found here: https://bit.ly/47KgLIz.

Outsourcing Software Management licensing guidance document

There’s an updated (June 2025) Outsourcing Software Management licensing guidance document from Microsoft. It’s an update to the previous October 2024 version and there’s information added on CSP-Hoster solutions. Unfortunately, however, some of the information is wrong with a bit of confusion between the Flexible Virtualization Benefit and the Outsourcing on Cloud Solution Provider-Hosters rights. If you’re a Licensing School subscriber we’ll take a look at the errors and the correct licensing in our next Did You See…? training session.

Grab this new guide (with caution) here: https://bit.ly/4lDa0fQ.

Windows 10 ESUs

Microsoft release some more details about Extended Security Updates for Windows 10. Organisations can already purchase them through an Enterprise Agreement, and they’ll be available through CSP from 1 September, 2025. However, the biggest news is for consumers – we know that they’ll be available for consumers for the first time and that they’ll cost $30 for the year, but the latest article reveals that if you’re using Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud you’ll get ESUs at no charge. Alternatively, if you’ve got Microsoft Rewards points you can pay for the ESUs with 1,000 of them. Whichever way you choose, you’re covered for up to ten devices. Find the relevant article here: https://bit.ly/46FfB0M.

Office 365 E1 Plus

Microsoft announce that Office 365 E1 Plus is available through CSP from 1 September, 2024. It’s a special flavour of Office 365 E1 which adds on additional security and management features to Office 365 E1 and is available both with and without Teams. However, it can only be purchased in select markets in LATAM, ASEAN, India, and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/3Zlw6eZ, and a useful FAQ here: https://bit.ly/4gpRR3o. LicenseVerse is updated here: https://bit.ly/3Twqefb.

GitHub usage-based billing

Microsoft announce that from August 1, 2024 GitHub Enterprise and GitHub Advanced Security are available to be billed through an Azure Subscription for CSP and MCA-E customers. Billing is on a usage basis – if a user starts consuming a licence seat during a month, then customers pay on a prorated basis for that month with no commitment for future months. EA customers who have been able to purchase regular User SLs for these services can continue to do so if they want to.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/4fWzKlm.

Frontline Worker licenses for Intune

Microsoft add the Frontline Worker licenses for Intune to CSP in the August 2024 Product Terms: https://bit.ly/3WTSg6o. LicenseVerse updated!

Get the detail here: https://bit.ly/4dxMD3d.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 availability

Historically, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 has only been available through the OEM channel, but from 1st August, 2023 customers will be able to purchase perpetual licences without SA through the MPSA and Select Plus agreements, as well as from their CSP partners.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/45nmIqV, and a note in the Product Terms here: https://bit.ly/3prduoo.

SQL Server 2022 is generally available

Microsoft announce that SQL Server 2022 is generally available. Volume Licensing customers can download it immediately, and customers purchasing via CSP, OEM, and SPLA will be able to begin purchasing SQL Server 2022 in January 2023. This announcement article (http://bit.ly/3GmU8ww) gives lots of detail on the new features, as well as introducing a new PAYG purchasing model for SQL Server. The new licensing model is enabled by Azure Arc, and allows customers using either Standard or Enterprise edition to pay only when they use SQL Server.

Find out more about how it all works in this article: http://bit.ly/3Arq2UP.

Microsoft Azure Customer Solution VL Brief

There’s an updated (April 2022) Microsoft Azure Customer Solution VL Brief. This is a useful document detailing the rules for ISVs when creating customer solutions built on Azure: essentially, ISVs should purchase the Azure services through an EA or (and this is the addition to this new document version) direct from Microsoft via the Microsoft Customer Agreement. Partners intending to just resell the Azure services should use the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program.

Find this updated document here: https://bit.ly/39sdBgW.

Microsoft Teams Essentials

Microsoft introduce Teams Essentials, a standalone Teams offering aimed at small businesses.

It’s $4 per user per month available through CSP partners or directly from Microsoft’s website and allows unlimited group meetings for up to 30 hours with up to 300 participants.

This site is useful for seeing how Teams Essentials compares to other plans aimed at smaller businesses such as Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Standard: https://bit.ly/31LrCSX.

Find the Teams Essentials announcement here: https://bit.ly/3pF2plr, and resources for partners selling Teams solutions here: https://bit.ly/3rJOSvB.