Microsoft 365 has become central to how organisations work. But managing it well is a different story. 

Licensing is where a lot of the value (and cost) lives. Most businesses assume their setup is working as intended. But the reality is, without active oversight, Microsoft licensing quickly drifts out of sync – and what was once fit for purpose starts working against you. 

That’s where licensing with a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) offers an advantage. Monthly flexibility, simplified provisioning, and a scalable way to stay current. But CSP benefits can only be fully unlocked when the licensing is managed with intent. 

Left alone, it becomes just another source of hidden spend and missed opportunity. 

This isn’t just a licensing story. It’s a window into how business IT is changing, and how your strategy needs to change with it. 

Most businesses are overspending and underusing

CSP is supposed to help you stay agile. But for many organisations, it’s just become a new way to carry the same old problems. 

We consistently see: 

• Enterprise SKUs rolled out across the board when only a portion of users need them 
• Licensing renewals left to run automatically, with no revalidation of need 
• Subscriptions that limit access to tools like Intune or Defender, even when those tools are needed 
• Clients unsure what features they’re entitled to, what they’re actually using, or how to reduce cost without breaking something 

These aren’t small details. They hold back transformation, delay security programs, and inflate the Microsoft bill month after month. 

Licensing is evolving and many aren’t keeping up 

The Microsoft ecosystem isn’t static. In the last 12 months alone: 

• A 5% price rise hit many CSP customers without much warning
• Microsoft introduced new SKUs that split off Teams due to regulatory changes 
• Product inclusions shifted – and not all businesses were told what changed 

That means your licensing setup could already be out of date, misaligned, or no longer fit for the outcomes you’re trying to deliver. 

Most internal IT teams don’t have time to track every update. And most CSP partners don’t provide that guidance. Without a trusted Microsoft licensing partner, businesses are flying blind and paying for it. 

Enterprise licensing is changing fast

For years, Enterprise Agreements (EAs) were the go-to model for large organisations. But Microsoft is tightening EA eligibility, pushing more businesses toward CSP. 

That shift is already happening – even in enterprise environments. CSP offers more flexibility, but it also puts the burden of proactive management back on your team or your partner. 

You don’t always get a three-year buffer anymore. You need real-time clarity, month-to-month agility, and guidance that goes beyond ticking boxes. 

If your CSP provider isn’t offering that, they’re not doing enough. 

CSP done right unlocks more than savings

This isn’t just about trimming your Microsoft bill – real CSP benefits come from aligning licensing to how your people actually work. 

When licensing is aligned with how your people work, it enables everything else. Security rollouts, automation initiatives, mobile access, compliance reporting – all of it flows better when the foundations are right. 

We’ve helped clients: 

• Save over $200,000 annually by realigning licensing with user roles and actual behaviour 
• Unblock stalled projects by adjusting SKUs to include critical functionality 
• Simplify operations by consolidating plan types across business units 

The goal isn’t minimal spend. It’s maximum value without waste. 

Five ways to take back control now 

You don’t need a complete overhaul. Start with clarity. 

Here’s where to focus: 

1. Audit usage vs. entitlements – What licenses do you have, and what’s being used? 
2. Check for missed capabilities – Are you paying for features you’re not using, or missing ones you need? 
3. Review renewals and auto-assignments – Stop old plans from rolling over unchecked 
4. Match roles to the right SKUs – Don’t over-license frontline or casual users 
5. Ask your partner the hard questions – Are they advising or just transacting? 

Most businesses find savings or efficiency gains within the first review cycle. But the real value comes from putting structure around licensing as an ongoing strategic lever. 

Where RES fits in

At RES, we don’t just sell Microsoft licenses. We help you use them better. 

We’re a Microsoft licensing partner with deep technical capability across Microsoft 365 and Azure. That means we understand not just the pricing models, but the platform, the roadmap, and how to align both to your business. 

What that looks like in practice: 

• Proactive licensing reviews and reporting 
• Support for aligning Microsoft licensing to broader adoption, security and cloud strategy 
• Help navigating Microsoft changes and new inclusions 
• Fast, seamless CSP transitions when you’re ready to switch 

We’re one of the best Cloud Solution Providers for a reason. We treat licensing as part of the bigger picture, helping clients realise meaningful CSP benefits that support business growth and stability. 

Give your team more control without the wait 

Through our CSP Self-Service Portal, your team can buy, adjust, or assign Microsoft licenses as needed, without logging a support ticket or waiting on a provider. 

That means: 

• No more delays when onboarding a new user 
• Clear visibility over your Microsoft 365 and Azure subscriptions 
• Access to up-to-date pricing, expiry dates and usage data 
• More autonomy for your IT team, less admin for everyone else 

It’s licensing done on your terms – fast, transparent, and self-managed. 

Backed by real support, not just transactions 

When something goes wrong or you need answers fast, we don’t leave you hanging. 

We’re here to assist and jump in to provide support when needed. In addition, RES maintains a paid Microsoft support agreement, giving you access to: 

• First-line support from our experienced team for quick technical or how-to issues 
• Escalated engineering support from Microsoft 
• A clear escalation path when deeper troubleshooting is required 

What you do next sets the tone

he way you manage Microsoft 365 licensing says a lot about your broader IT strategy. 

If you’re still treating it as a background task – with no ownership, no review process, and no strategic partner – then you’re likely leaving value on the table. 

Handled well, CSP gives you flexibility, visibility and control. But that only happens when you stop treating licensing as a one-off cost and start treating it like a business asset. 

The choice isn’t between doing more or doing nothing. It’s about doing what you already have, better. 

Ready to optimise your Microsoft licensing? Get in touch with RES today.