Ways you can work with other partners in Partner Center
Appropriate roles: Account admin
Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program offers opportunities for partners to work together in various ways, including indirect provider-indirect reseller, multipartner support, and multichannel support.
Indirect provider-indirect reseller model
In the indirect provider-indirect reseller model, also known as the two-tier model, indirect providers and indirect resellers work together to sell Microsoft cloud-based services to organizations in multiple locales, verticals, and industries.
Indirect providers
Indirect providers (also known as distributors) purchase products and subscriptions directly from Microsoft and then offer these solutions to customers through resellers.
Working with indirect resellers allows providers to expand their reach and customer base.
If you're an approved indirect provider in CSP, see Learn how to partner with indirect providers in the Cloud Solution Provider program to learn more about connecting with indirect resellers and customers.
Indirect resellers
Indirect resellers work with indirect providers, who have a direct relationship with Microsoft and have the infrastructure to provide customer support and billing.
Partnering with indirect providers allows indirect resellers to work with experienced technology providers to go to market without having to make a large capital investment, and to offer a broader portfolio of Microsoft solutions.
If you're an indirect reseller or if you're interested in enrolling in CSP as an indirect reseller, see Learn how to partner with indirect providers in the Cloud Solution Provider program to learn more about connecting with indirect providers and customers.
Not sure whether to enroll in CSP as an indirect reseller or as a direct partner? Learn more at Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
Multipartner support
Partner Center's multipartner feature supports customers who need to work with more than one partner. For example, they might want to hire one partner for their expertise with Microsoft 365 but also hire a different partner who specializes in Microsoft Azure. For more information, see Multipartner support for customers who want to work with more than one partner.
Multipartner support is also available with Microsoft's national cloud offerings.
Multichannel support
Partner Center's multichannel feature supports scenarios when a customer wants to hire a partner to provision and support a subscription they purchased elsewhere. For more information, see Multichannel support.
Multichannel support is also available with Microsoft's national cloud offerings.
Important
A partner in the CSP program can't resell online services to another partner in the CSP program currently. This restriction only applies to the tenant used for conducting CSP transactions. CSP partners who use a non-CSP tenant for their corporate usage can purchase online services from another CSP partner. Microsoft continuously reviews the policies and capabilities of all programs. Any news about feature releases or policy changes will be announced through the usual communications channels, including Partner Center announcements.
Find a partner or solution provider to answer questions about programs, licensing, or customer deals
There are many types of partners or distributors in the Microsoft partner ecosystem.
| To do this | Read this |
|---|---|
| Find a CSP indirect provider (for CSP indirect resellers who don't yet have an assigned indirect provider) | Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program indirect provider search page |
| Find a Volume Licensing program solution provider or distributor | Microsoft solution provider search page |
| Find a Microsoft authorized OEM channel distributor | Microsoft Device Partner Center OEM search page |