The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program is a Microsoft partner initiative that enables businesses—such as Managed Service Providers (MSPs), resellers, and system integrators—to sell Microsoft cloud services, including Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform, directly to customers.

It’s designed to empower partners to take ownership of the customer relationship, from sales and billing to support and service customization.

Unlike traditional reseller models where partners simply refer customers to Microsoft, CSP allows partners to act as the primary point of contact, integrating Microsoft cloud solutions into their own offerings and managing the customer lifecycle end-to-end.

Why It’s Valuable for MSPs

For Managed Service Providers, CSP is a gateway to the cloud economy. It allows MSPs to shift from traditional on-premises IT services to a cloud-first model, offering subscriptions to Microsoft 365 for productivity, Azure for infrastructure, or Dynamics 365 for business applications. They can layer their own managed services—like security monitoring, backup solutions, or helpdesk support—on top, creating a sticky, high-value proposition for customers.

As of now, the CSP program continues to evolve with Microsoft’s focus on AI and cloud innovation. Recent updates emphasize integration with AI-driven tools (e.g., Copilot for Microsoft 365) and incentives for partners driving Azure consumption. The program remains a cornerstone of Microsoft’s partner strategy, with thousands of partners worldwide leveraging it to grow their businesses.

AI Cloud Partner Program

Microsoft’s AI Cloud Partner Program is a comprehensive ecosystem designed to empower partners by providing access to cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies, resources, and support to build and deliver impactful solutions for their customers.

It evolved from the earlier Microsoft Partner Network, reflecting a strategic shift toward integrating artificial intelligence with cloud computing as central pillars of Microsoft’s offerings. The program emphasizes six solution areas aligned with market demand—such as Data & AI, Infrastructure, and Digital & App Innovation—allowing partners to specialize and differentiate themselves.

Partners gain benefits like exclusive training, certifications, technical enablement, marketing support, and incentives, all tailored to help them grow their businesses and meet customer needs in an AI-driven, cloud-centric landscape.

The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, on the other hand, is a specific operational model within Microsoft’s partner framework that focuses on enabling partners to sell and manage Microsoft cloud services like Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 directly to customers.

It operates in two tiers: direct-bill partners, who handle the full customer lifecycle (sales, billing, provisioning, and support) directly with Microsoft, and indirect resellers, who work through distributors (indirect providers) to offer these services. The CSP program is designed to deepen partner-customer relationships by positioning partners as trusted advisors, offering flexibility to bundle their own services with Microsoft’s cloud portfolio, and driving recurring revenue through subscriptions.

The relationship between the two programs is symbiotic and structured. The AI Cloud Partner Program serves as the overarching framework that encompasses various partner engagements, including the CSP program. To participate in the CSP program, partners must have an active membership in the AI Cloud Partner Program, which provides the foundational tools, resources, and designations (like Solutions Partner status) that enhance their capabilities in the CSP model.

For instance, CSP partners leverage AI Cloud Partner Program benefits—such as access to AI technologies and advanced specializations—to strengthen their cloud service offerings. Conversely, the CSP program provides a practical sales and delivery channel through which partners can apply the AI and cloud expertise gained from the broader AI Cloud Partner Program, enabling them to scale their businesses and deliver tailored, value-added solutions to customers.

In essence, the AI Cloud Partner Program sets the strategic direction and equips partners with AI and cloud proficiency, while the CSP program operationalizes this by facilitating the direct sale and management of cloud services, creating a cohesive ecosystem where partners can thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.