How you buy Microsoft licensing matters as much as what you buy. The two dominant models — CSP and Enterprise Agreement — suit very different organisations.
CSP (Cloud Solution Provider)
Bought through a partner, CSP offers monthly or annual terms, per-seat flexibility, INR billing, and partner support. It's ideal for SMBs and mid-market companies whose headcount changes.
Enterprise Agreement (EA)
EA is a three-year commitment for larger organisations (typically 500+ seats), with volume pricing and true-up flexibility. It rewards scale and predictability but locks you in.
Most companies under 500 seats are better off on CSP — flexibility usually beats the marginal EA discount.
RM
Rohan Malhotra
Microsoft Licensing Consultant
Part of the TechWorld Solutions team helping enterprises migrate, modernize, and secure their technology.