Short answer
Unit pricing is the same either way. Buying through FirstNet, a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider and Solutions Partner, adds one rand invoice across all Microsoft licences, right-sizing every 90 days, Azure consumption analytics, local technical advisory and a single point of escalation into Microsoft.
In detail
What the FirstNet CSP service includes as standard:
- One consolidated monthly invoice in rand across every Microsoft SKU, with FirstNet absorbing the US dollar conversion
- A licence right-sizing review at onboarding and every 90 days
- A monthly Azure consumption summary and a quarterly optimisation review
- A customer success manager and quarterly business reviews
- A FirstNet service desk that triages issues and escalates into Microsoft
You can also choose how much FirstNet does beyond licensing: licensing only, licensing plus design and migration, co-managed, or fully managed Microsoft 365 and Azure. Managed services are always scoped separately rather than bundled into a licence quote.
Buying direct can work for very small estates. The CSP service matters most when you have several Microsoft contracts, US dollar invoices or a workload roadmap that needs advice. If you have Microsoft Pro Direct or Premier support, it can sit alongside CSP, with FirstNet handling first-line triage and routing deeper platform issues where contracted.
Source: FirstNet Microsoft Licensing service page →
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