Do we buy M365 through a Dutch reseller or direct from Microsoft?
Direct from Microsoft means a self-service portal and no middleman. With a good CSP partner you get admin help, euro invoicing, and escalation when Microsoft support is slow. For SMBs CSP usually wins, provided the partner adds real value.
Try this first
- 1Decide how much admin you want to do yourself: tenant setup, license assignment, support tickets, all yours when buying direct.
- 2Compare paper price (often similar) plus service fee, a good CSP usually adds a margin or management fee.
- 3Ask the partner concretely: support SLA, Dutch-language helpdesk, Microsoft escalation path, in writing.
- 4Choose CSP for SMBs up to roughly 50 staff without in-house IT, choose direct if you have an experienced IT person and no middleman.
When to bring us in
If you want a short comparison for your situation, we can lay out CSP vs direct neutrally.
See also
- New hire has an account but cannot reach Outlook or TeamsAn M365 account without a license is an empty shell. Assigning takes a few clicks, but picking the right plan pays off long-term.
- Employee left, but their email must be retainedPulling the license straight away starts a 30-day timer on the mailbox. The right route keeps access to the mail without paying for the license.
- We pay for licenses nobody usesBetween leavers, duplicate plans, and test accounts there is often 10-20% wasted license spend. A usage report exposes it fast.
None of the above fits?
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Or skip the DIY entirely
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