What Makes a Good Microsoft CSP (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

By Sarah Kempfer, Account Executive, Synergy Technical

I’ve spent years helping organizations—from national nonprofits to mid-sized commercial businesses—navigate Microsoft licensing. I started my career on the LSP side, which means I know how the traditional Enterprise Agreement model works, what it promises, and where it often falls short.

Today, as an Account Executive at Synergy Technical, I’m focused on helping my customers understand not just what licenses they need, but what kind of partner they need to help them manage those licenses over time.

That’s where the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model—and the CSP partner you choose—comes into play.

Read The Ultimate Guide: What is Microsoft CSP?

What a Good CSP Really Does

A good CSP doesn’t just give you access to Microsoft SKUs. They give you:

• Clarity around what you’re licensed for
• Support from experts who can answer tough questions fast
• Guidance when Microsoft’s offerings or rules change
• Optimization so you're not paying for features you already have elsewhere
• Responsiveness when you need to make changes, quickly and confidently

At Synergy Technical, we see licensing not as a transaction, but as part of your technology strategy. And that’s especially important for organizations that are used to the Enterprise Agreement model—where a lot happens behind the scenes, but not always in your favor.

Why Customers Are Moving Away from Enterprise Agreements

Many of my customers—particularly those between 500 and 2,000 users—are finding that EA renewals don’t offer the value they once did. Microsoft is increasingly steering organizations toward CSP, and in many cases, it's the better move.

Here’s why:

• EAs are inflexible. Once you commit, you’re locked in. CSP gives you the ability to make strategic changes throughout the year—not just at your renewal date.
• EA usage assumptions rarely hold up. I’ve seen customers overbuy licenses just to “play it safe,” leading to years of shelfware.
• Support often isn’t proactive. In the CSP model, your partner owns the relationship—and at Synergy, that means we’re accountable for both the licensing and the experience that comes with it.

What About Monthly Licensing?

I get this question a lot—especially from nonprofits managing budgets carefully.

Yes, Microsoft’s CSP monthly licensing carries a 20% premium over annual. But here’s what I tell customers: monthly isn’t for everything—it's for flexibility.

Many of my customers use a blended approach:

• Annual licensing for core staff, predictable headcount, and baseline services
• Monthly licensing for seasonal staff, temporary contractors, or pilot projects

This hybrid model gives you the fiscal efficiency of annual terms and the agility to scale where you need it. And if you’re in a nonprofit environment with frequent role changes or grant-funded cycles, that flexibility can be worth far more than the 20% premium.

The licensing model you choose—and the partner you choose to manage it with—can have a major impact on your ability to adapt, grow, and stay in control of your Microsoft investment.

A good CSP helps you make smart decisions, not just purchases. And the right model—whether that’s CSP, EA, or a combination—should be based on your needs, not outdated assumptions.

If you’re reconsidering your EA or just wondering if CSP is a better fit, I’d be happy to walk you through what the transition could look like—and how to do it without disruption.

Because at the end of the day, licensing should work for you—not the other way around.

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!