How to Win More Business by Becoming a Microsoft MSP

Summary:

Between 2020 and 2025, Microsoft invested $20 billion and 34,000 security engineers into Microsoft 365, turning Business Premium into a genuine alternative to best-of-breed third-party security stacks — bundling Defender, Defender for Office 365, Entra ID, Intune, and Purview into one license. For MSPs, standardizing customers already using Microsoft 365 productivity apps onto this stack reduces vendor dependence, deepens team expertise, increases margins on high-value projects, and aligns with customers who are already Microsoft-first by default.

Scope and Limitation Statement

This content covers the case for using inforcer’s 365 Manager to standardize MSP service delivery via Microsoft 365 Business Premium's built-in security stack (Defender, Defender for Office 365, Entra ID, Intune, Purview). It doesn't cover the technical migration process from an existing third-party stack or address RMM/endpoint tooling, which sits outside the Microsoft 365 license entirely.

Versioned Specifics

• Original publication date: August 18, 2025
• Microsoft security investment cited: $20 billion (2020–2025)
• Security engineers hired: 34,000 (2020–2025)
• Core Business Premium security components covered: Defender, Defender for Office 365, Entra ID, Intune, Purview

A Microsoft MSP or Microsoft-centric MSP is an IT services provider which has chosen to standardize their services around the Microsoft stack. Instead of using best-of-breed, third-party tools, they use the enterprise-grade solutions available inside the existing Microsoft licenses their customers have already purchased.

Keep reading to learn about the advantages of becoming a Microsoft MSP, and how Microsoft MSPs can manage multiple tenants efficiently instead of manually logging into tenants one at a time to check policies and push updates.

What is a Microsoft MSP?

A Microsoft MSP or Microsoft-centric MSP is an IT services provider which has chosen to standardize their services around the Microsoft stack. Instead of using best-of-breed, third-party tools, they are using the enterprise-grade solutions available inside the existing Microsoft licenses their customers have already purchased. 

How has the MSP landscape changed?

The MSP landscape has changed significantly over the last twenty years. The days of break-fix support are long gone, and even traditional managed services are beginning to become obsolete as Cloud services and AI solutions rise. 

Since the onset of Covid in 2020, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) have needed to implement effective remote working practices centred around Cloud computing. As a result of this mass shift to digital infrastructure, cyber security has also become a major priority for SMBs. Preventing malicious attacks and securing business data is now a non-negotiable for MSPs.

How has Microsoft security improved?

For years, Microsoft 365 has been at the heart of SMB productivity, with the impressive suite of productivity apps allowing SMBs to communicate and collaborate with ease, even when working remotely. 

However, traditionally, MSPs have not used Microsoft for their cyber security. In the past, MSPs have sold their customers Microsoft 365 Business Standard licenses, allowing SMBs access to the Microsoft 365 productivity apps such as Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive. When it comes to security, most MSPs have preferred to build their own stacks by selecting individual solutions from MSP-centric vendors.

Now, things have changed. Between 2020 and 2025, Microsoft invested $20 billion into their cyber security and hired 34,000 full-time security engineers. This significant investment made Microsoft 365 security a very different beast. A Microsoft 365 Business Premium license now contains everything you need to secure your customers:

• Microsoft Defender to protect against ransomware and other cyber threats
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to defend against phishing attacks
• Entra ID for identity access management to protect against password theft and help employees access business apps securely from anywhere
• Intune for device management
• Purview for data protection and security 
  

As your customers are already using Microsoft 365 for their business productivity, it makes sense to upgrade them to Business Premium licenses, standardize on the Microsoft stack, and take advantage of these integrated, enterprise-grade security tools. 

How could becoming a Microsoft MSP benefit you?

Of course, switching away from the third-party stack you’ve built will not be an easy decision. It’s not that simple to just rip out your existing solutions and replace them with Microsoft, but the benefits you can gain from standardizing with Microsoft make it worth it. 

Your customers are already Microsoft advocates. By becoming a Microsoft MSP, you will stay relevant by aligning with customer expectations and industry trends. Additionally, there are a range of benefits for your business operations, your team, and your customers that will make switching to a Microsoft-first approach a no-brainer. 

Benefits for your team 

Standardizing around the Microsoft stack allows your engineers to deepen their expertise and become true Microsoft specialists. 

By allowing them to upskill and heavily investing in their development, you will build a highly-skilled, motivated, and engaged workforce who are eager to tackle high-value, non-commoditized Microsoft projects. You’ll also be able to offer clear progression and career paths which helps with employee retention. 

Benefits for your business

Standardizing with Microsoft reduces your dependence on third-party tools, consolidating service delivery, lowering operational costs, and increasing profitability.

You can increase margins by delivering high-value Microsoft projects that differentiate you in the market. You can also win larger customers by upskilling your team and offering specialist Microsoft expertise to fill the knowledge gaps of customers with existing internal IT teams.

Standardizing with one vendor also makes it easier to scale, so your MSP becomes a more attractive prospect for potential acquisitions.

Benefits for your customers

Most of your customer will already be using Microsoft solutions in some capacity. Microsoft has a monopoly on modern work and is a trusted and valued brand for SMBs. You can help customers to get more return on investment from their Microsoft licenses by using it for security as well as productivity.

The modern MSP and Microsoft

Want to learn the strategies you need to become a truly Microsoft MSP? Download our eBook to discover the winning strategies you need to secure new business, deliver high-value projects, and stay competitive.

FAQs

What is a Microsoft MSP?

A Microsoft MSP, or Microsoft-centric MSP, is an IT services provider that standardizes its services around the Microsoft stack rather than best-of-breed third-party tools, using the enterprise-grade solutions already included in customers' existing Microsoft licenses.

What security tools are included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium now?

Business Premium now bundles Microsoft Defender (ransomware and threat protection), Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (phishing defense), Entra ID (identity and access management), Intune (device management), and Purview (data protection).

Why has Microsoft's security offering changed for MSPs?

Between 2020 and 2025, Microsoft invested $20 billion into cyber security and hired 34,000 full-time security engineers, turning Microsoft 365 security from a weak add-on into a legitimate alternative to third-party MSP security stacks.

What are the benefits of standardizing on Microsoft for an MSP's team?

Standardizing lets engineers deepen expertise as true Microsoft specialists rather than spreading thin across multiple vendors, supporting clearer career progression and higher retention.

Does switching to a Microsoft-first stack mean ripping out existing tools?

Not necessarily — the shift is framed as gradual standardization around Microsoft's enterprise-grade Business Premium capabilities, not an immediate wholesale replacement of every existing tool.

How does becoming a Microsoft MSP help win new business?

Customers are already Microsoft advocates using Microsoft 365 for productivity, so positioning security the same way aligns with existing customer expectations, differentiates the MSP from competitors still selling fragmented third-party stacks, and supports higher margins on specialist Microsoft projects.