EA Discounts Are Ending — Giacom Helps MSPs Win with CSP

Microsoft’s licensing overhaul makes CSP the smarter choice. Partner with Giacom to boost margins, simplify licensing, and grow your MSP business.

The Changing Landscape

Volume discounts have been in play at Microsoft for many years, allowing larger organisations participating in Enterprise Agreements (EA) and Microsoft Products and Services Agreements (MPSA) to benefit from tiered pricing dependant on their size:

– Level A (500-2,399 users): ~3% discount 

– Level B (2,400-5,999 users): ~6% discount 

– Level C (6,000-14,999 users): ~9% discount 

– Level D (15,000+ users): ~12% discount 

From 1st November 2025, Microsoft will be standardising the volume licencing discounts for Online Services transacted within these programs including Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and Windows 365 to Level A pricing.

This change impacts commercial and government EA customers globally and flattens the pricing landscape, making CSP a more competitive and flexible alternative.

For MSPs, this further levels the playing field. There are already a small number of organisations with 2,400 users or less that are under a Microsoft-led strategy to migrate to CSP/MCA-E contracts, and with the removal of tiered pricing the EA model is quickly losing its cost advantage, while CSP partners retain flexibility, control, and the ability to add real value. It’s a golden opportunity to move customers to a model that’s more agile, more profitable, and better aligned with modern service delivery.

CSP: Built for Flexibility, Growth and Partner Value

Here’s why CSP is the better fit for today’s dynamic business environment:

1. No Minimum Seat Requirement

EA requires a minimum of 500 seats, with Microsoft now preferring 2,400+. CSP has no minimums, making it ideal for SMBs and growing businesses 

2. Flexible Terms

CSP offers monthly, annual, or multi-year subscriptions. Customers can scale up or down based on actual usage—no more overpaying for unused licenses 

3. Cost Optimisation

Organisations switching to CSP save an average of  10–20% on IT costs*. With no upfront commitments and usage-based billing, CSP helps customers control spend and avoid waste.

*Source: https://www.softwareone.com/en-gb/blog/articles/2025/01/27/microsoft-csp-ea

4. Partner-Led Support

CSP puts MSPs in the driver’s seat. You manage billing, renewals, and support—giving you a direct relationship with your customers and the opportunity to add value through services, training, and strategic guidance 

5. Simplified Procurement

No more complex EA negotiations. CSP is streamlined and agile, allowing customers to purchase what they need, when they need it.

We’re all about making things simple for MSPs. We’ve helped thousands of partners transition to CSP, and we’re ready to help you do the same. Our team of Microsoft experts will guide you through every step—from cost modelling and migration planning to unlocking Microsoft incentives and optimising Azure spend all through our platform Cloud Market.

  • Flexible CSP onboarding and migration tools
  • Real-time Azure cost reporting and optimisation 
  • Access to exclusive Microsoft benefits and funding
  • Single, unified platform for Cloud, Mobile, connectivity, IoT and Hardware 

Ready to make the most of Microsoft’s EA changes?

  • Spot the opportunity – Review your EA customer base and identify who’s impacted
  • Start the conversation – Help clients understand what’s changing and why CSP is the smarter move
  • Partner with Giacom – We’ll guide you through every step, from strategy to seamless migration

We’re here to help you grow your business, delight your customers, and stay ahead of the curve. Let’s turn Microsoft’s licensing changes into a growth opportunity.