Discover Your Inner CSP

You've been waiting breathlessly to sign a Cloud Solution Provider Agreement ever since you first heard of the program at the Worldwide Partner Conference in 2014. Now you've earned the necessary competencies and are so close to finally realizing that goal.

But you still need to convince Microsoft your solutions business is ready to assume the responsibility of greater autonomy in managing customers. It isn't easy, but don't despair! Thousands of MSPs, VARs and ISVs either have already done so, or are preparing to take that step, Paul told IT Best of Breed.

The vast majority of those CSPs are too small to make large investments in automation and support capabilities, Paul said. They remain lightly managed by Microsoft, enjoying the APIs and premier support contract that come with the status.