EA-to-CSP Isn’t Just a Transition, It’s Your Wake-Up Call

At this month’s Voice of the Microsoft Partner Roundtable, we didn’t just talk about the EA-to-CSP migration, we showed Partners why this isn’t just a licensing shift. It’s a land grab.

Led by Sherman Crancer and Andres Oceguera, the session was packed with what’s happening behind the scenes with Microsoft’s EA transition, and more importantly, how Partners can either get ahead, or get left behind.

Because here’s the deal: if you’re not paying attention to what’s happening right now in the Partner Center, someone else is.

Here’s what you need to know:

EA-to-CSP Is Here. It’s Not Coming. It’s Here.
Forget what you’ve heard, this isn’t some distant future project. Microsoft is actively moving customers off Enterprise Agreements (EAs) and into CSP motions right now.

If your customers have under 2,500 seats, their EA is either on borrowed time, or already toast.

If you’re not the one helping them transition, someone else will be. And with the right moves, you can lock them into you before bigger players like Crayon or SHI swoop in.
Your Partner Center Is Empty Until You Make a Move
Want to see which customers are eligible for renewal in CSP?Spoiler alert: you won’t see a thing until you send the relationship request.
- Step one: send the reseller relationship link to your customers.
- Step two: once they accept, you’ll see all the gold; license counts, expiration dates, and renew eligibility.
- Step three: lock it down before someone else does.
This is a first-come, first-serve game. No “gentleman’s rules.” Just hustle.'
Pricing Isn’t the Problem. Support Is.
Yeah, customers are worried about pricing. But Sherman and Andres dropped a reality bomb: support and flexibility will win the deals, not price alone.

With CSP, you can offer:
- Monthly or annual billing options
- Flexible license management
- Real, responsive support (not the "submit a ticket and pray" EA experience)
If you show customers you can make their lives easier and more agile, you’re already ahead.
Locking in EA Customers Takes One Click (But Only If You Move Fast)
The moment your customer clicks “renew in CSP” tied to your Partner Center account, they’re locked to you. No one else can claim them unless you release them. No second chances. No appeals.

Move first or move on.
Secret Weapon: Run Webinars with Microsoft Sellers
Sherman gave away some serious secret sauce: don’t just chase down individual customers.

Offer to run a webinar or event for your Microsoft Seller’s entire book of business. One move = exposure to 30-40 accounts at once. Nobody’s doing this at scale, and it’s working like crazy.

Final Thoughts: The Moment Is Now

The EA-to-CSP shift is creating the biggest Partner opportunity we’ve seen in years. But Microsoft isn’t sending you a neon sign saying, “Go get it.” You either seize the moment, or you let it slip away.

At The Crancer Group, we’re here to help you move faster, smarter, and with an actual strategy, not just wishful thinking.

Missed the live session? Watch the full recording here.