Microsoft starts countdown to new Azure CSP plan

Microsoft has officially launched its new Azure Cloud Service Provider program.

Revealed in June 2019 with an October start date, then delayed until 1 November, the new program is now live.

A new post made on Saturday, Australian time, quietly launched the program.

The post re-states Microsoft’s intention that the new plan will help its channel shine and be rewarded for adding value-added services to Azure.

Devesh Satyavolu, Microsoft's director for worldwide partner revenue and growth programs, also explained that Azure’s new cost management tools and purchasing agreements will mean that partners can help clients to do great things in the cloud.

Satyavolu also suggested Microsoft’s plan to price Azure only in US dollars, which will mean month-to-month price fluctuation, should also benefit partners.

Exact details of the new scheme are behind a reg-wall that CRN’s editorial team dare not pierce, but Microsoft has promised a series of Webinars to explain the new program.

CRN recommends Microsoft partners pay attention: Microsoft will keep its current Azure CSP portal around for “several months”. But the company says it’s doing so to give partners “time to incorporate the new Azure features with your services and transition your customers to the new experience.”

In other words, the countdown has started: you can either start to get your head around this stuff now, or in a rush at a to-be-determined deadline.

And now you have something to do on those slow days in December and January!