Sell on-premises software through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program

Appropriate roles: Admin agent | Global admin

As a CSP, you can sell on-premises software through Partner Center in addition to Open, EA, and other programs.

On-premises software in CSP supports a smooth transition to the cloud by introducing on-premises software in a cloud-focused program. And selling on-premises software brings you to every purchase scenario as you provide a single platform to transact all Microsoft products.

This business model makes it easy to procure, manage, and price on-premises software for your customers, allowing you to focus on winning business with an expanded portfolio of IT management value-added solutions.

While ensuring the best overall customer value with on-premises software licensing options, we've also made the business model as partner-friendly as possible. Straightforward licensing of on-premises software in CSP means cost predictability and a streamlined sales process for you.

Buy software subscriptions on behalf of customers

To purchase software subscriptions on behalf of a customer, use the following steps:

  1. Sign in to Partner Center and select Customers.

  2. Select a customer from the list.

  3. From the customer's detail page, select Add products, and then follow the on-screen instructions to create and pay for your order.

Note

For more information, see this guide to ordering and fulfillment through Partner Center.

Activate and manage software subscriptions

After you purchase a software subscription, you or your customer need to download it. (You can also cancel an order within seven days and receive a pro-rated credit.)

  • Customers use the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to see product keys and download information. The Global admin role is required.

  • Partners use Partner Center to see product keys and download information. The Admin agent role is required to get a link to keys and downloads.

To download software and get software keys and links, use the following steps:

  1. Sign in to Partner Center and select Customers.

  2. Select a customer from the list.

  3. From your customer's detail page, select Software.

    A list of all the software you've purchased on behalf of the customer appears.

  4. Select the product Version, Language, and Bit, and then select Get keys and downloads.

  5. Select Get Key to display the 32-digit product in a pop-up dialog box that you can copy and send to the customer.

  6. Select Download to download the software bits.

  7. Select Copy Link if you want to send the customer a link to the bits download.

Important

Software keys are valuable and highly sought-after intellectual property, so it's important to understand the risks associated with copying links and downloading software. For more information, download the Partner Center New Commerce Operations Guide (sign-in required) and read Using Partner Center to obtain customer software downloads and license keys.

Note

In CSP, we fulfill downgrade rights to the previous versions. Perpetual product licensing rights allow us to downlevel the product as per n-1 or n-2 policy for the majority of the products.

Move a customer's on-premises license from VL to CSP with no downtime

Even though KMS keys aren't available in CSP, you can still move your customer's on-premises licenses from volume licensing (VL) to CSP and prevent downtime caused by a purchasing channel switch.

KMS distributes licenses to clients, and those licenses usually remain active for 180 days before a device tries to renew the activation. That means a device will be activated and will run for some time before any issues arise.

  • If a customer deploys a new multiple activation key (MAK) during the 180 day period, either manually or with a script (using slmgr.vbs), there will be no downtime.

  • If a customer doesn't deploy the new MAK during the 180-day period and tries to renew the license later, the device could become limited or blocked for some functionality until it's reactivated.

    For more information, see Activate clients running Windows 10 (Windows 10) - Windows Deployment.

    For assistance with this type of deployment, you can submit a Technical Presales and Deployment services request.

Cancel a purchase

Use the following procedure to cancel a purchase. Once the cancellation is complete, the software key is revoked.

Considerations when canceling a software subscription

  • You must be an Admin agent to cancel a purchase.
  • Before you start the cancellation process, make sure you have the following information:
    • The customer's name, tenant GUID, or domain name
    • Order ID or Subscription ID
    • Refund reason
    • Amount requested

To cancel a software purchase, use the following steps:

  1. Sign in to Partner Center and select Customers.

  2. Select a customer from the list.

  3. On the customer's details page, select Software.

    A list of all the software you've purchased appears.

  4. Locate the software you want to cancel, and select Cancel.

    The Report a problem with Partner Center page opens.

  5. Under Details, in the Type of problem list, select CSP Purchase/Refund on behalf of customers.

  6. Fill in the Impact and Title fields.

  7. In the Description field, provide the following:

    • The customer tenant GUID or domain name
    • Order ID or Subscription ID
    • Refund reason
    • Amount requested
  8. In the Contact field, enter your name, email address, and phone number.

  9. If you need to attach a file for any reason, select Add files. (This step is optional.)

  10. When you're finished, select Submit.