By Rohana Meade, CEO, Synergy Technical
When I was a CIO, Microsoft licensing felt like a necessary evil—something I dealt with once a year (or every three), usually during budget season, often under pressure.
Now, as a CEO, I look at licensing completely differently.
It’s no longer just about staying compliant or ticking a procurement box. It’s about how we run our business, how we protect our data, how we empower our teams—and how we stay agile while doing it.
That shift in mindset is exactly why so many organizations are moving away from the Enterprise Agreement (EA) and embracing the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model. I’ve been on both sides of the table, and I can tell you firsthand: CSP gives me the control I never had in an EA—and the insight I didn’t know I was missing.
Read The Ultimate Guide: What is Microsoft CSP?
What I Wish I’d Realized Sooner
Back then, I was fortunate to have Don Lewis as my licensing advisor. Don had already spent decades in the licensing world, and he was constantly pointing out inefficiencies, overlaps, and opportunities to simplify—what he calls “finding spare change in the couch.” At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate just how much value lived in those details.
Now that I run a company that helps customers navigate those same decisions, I see it clearly: it’s not about getting the best price—it’s about getting the most out of what you’ve already bought.
If every organization had a Don Lewis helping them connect licensing to real business outcomes, the industry would look a lot different.
The Real CSP Advantage? Accountability.
Here’s the thing about EA: It’s easy to sign. Easy to ignore. Easy to overcommit.
But CSP is different. As a business owner, what I appreciate most about CSP is the accountability it creates. You’re not just buying licenses—you’re entering into a relationship with a partner who should be helping you:
- Right-size your environment
- Eliminate redundant tools
- Understand what’s changing in the Microsoft ecosystem
- Fix problems before they disrupt your operations
- Track what’s working and where the value is hiding
At Synergy Technical, we’ve built our CSP model to reflect how I think about business: direct, transparent, and built for longevity.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re a CIO, a CFO, or the CEO of a growing organization, you’ve probably inherited a licensing model that made sense at one point—but may not anymore.
Microsoft is moving away from EAs for a reason. The CSP model gives businesses like yours:
- Flexibility to grow or shift without overcommitting
- Real-time visibility into what you’re using and what it’s costing
- Access to experts who actually understand the licensing and the technology behind it
More importantly, it gives you a partner who’s invested in your success—not just your renewal.
As a CEO, I know it’s a lever.
If you haven’t reviewed your Microsoft licensing strategy recently—or if your partner isn’t showing you where the value is—it’s time to have a different kind of conversation.
This isn’t about moving SKUs. It’s about moving your business forward.
Ready to transform your licensing strategy? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, learn more about the Microsoft CSP licensing benefits, or start optimizing your Microsoft cloud services with a trusted partner by your side. Let’s modernize your cloud journey together!
Comments