Automate Microsoft Cloud Services Billing for Direct Bill Partners
Managing billing for Microsoft cloud services as a Microsoft direct bill partner is complicated and time-consuming. Invoicing each customer for their Microsoft subscription and consumption involves logging into the Microsoft Partner Center, downloading usage reports, and manually calculating costs and prices based on individual service usage. This process is laborious and prone to errors, particularly when dealing with low-cost line items.
Cloud in the Channel Solution
Cloud in the Channel integration with Microsoft Partner Center APIs allows Direct Bill Partners to download usage billing broken down to the end customer level. The billing module calculates cost/price and allows direct bill partners to add margins based on customer groups. The detailed end-customer invoice is available for download on the portal or can be pushed to ERP or CRM systems such as NetSuite, SalesForce, MS Dynamics CRM/GP/NAV/BC, Xero and HubSpot.
- Automated End-Customer cloud billing from multiple Microsoft tenants. Microsoft cloud billing, including exact usage per service and end-customer, is downloaded from all of your Microsoft tenants.
- Application of discounts for Microsoft promotions Microsoft offers several promotions for its cloud services. The downloaded end customer bill includes all the discounts from Microsoft allowing direct bill partners to be able to add margin based on the discount provided by Microsoft to the end customer. This allows direct bill partners to move away from cost plus model and be able to provide more discounts to their customers and make them sticky.
- Application of minimum usage There is often a minimum usage contract between direct bill partners and their customers for cloud services. The minimum usage is applied through the Cloud in the Channel automated Microsoft billing. The platform checks the customer usage, and if the customer does not use the minimum usage based on the contract, it uses the minimum usage to calculate the price for the end customer.
- Apply margin based on customer groups Direct bill partners can assign customers to different account groups and apply margins accordingly.
- ERP Integration The broken down end customer invoice that includes exact usage and price is available on the portal and can get pushed to ERP and CRM systems such as NetSuite, SalesForce, MS Dynamics CRM/GP/NAV/BC, Xero and HubSpot.
Benefits of the Solution
Time-saving
Automated downloading and processing of usage reports save significant time. The exact price based on the usage is calculated automatically.
Accuracy
Detailed billing breakdowns ensure accuracy in invoicing and give visibility to the customer of what they are paying for.
Automatic Margin Application
Margins are applied automatically, reducing manual effort and maximizing profitability.
Usage Process
Manual Process
On your scheduled date, your cloud billing is downloaded and broken down by the end customer. (The MSP can get this information in a CSV file). The Cloud in the Channel system displays detailed customer bills with applied margins. Automatically generated PDF invoices can be sent directly to clients from our system or downloaded for manual processing.
Integration with ERP
Our system seamlessly integrates with the major ERPs, streamlining the process of creating sales orders and matching costs with billed totals. The ERP option is an upgrade and automatically creates sales orders in your finance system.
Other Cloud in the Channel Services
Build your cloud marketplace
Sell cloud applications, subscription services, and physical products from multiple direct and indirect cloud providers.
Subscription Management Portal
Self-service and MSP cloud application provisioning and management.
White-label End-Customer Portal
Customers can check bills and manage across all cloud services.
Connectors
Cloud in the channel connects to a host of indirect CSPs, vendors, cloud platforms and ERP/CRM systems.
Fully Integrated With Your Systems
Bi-directional information flow between your internal systems and your cloud marketplace
