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CIO Strategy for Microsoft Support, Reimagined: Why Fortune 500 CIOs Choose US Cloud.

IT systems of all sizes depend on Microsoft products. But when they fail, Microsoft support needs to be infallible in order to avoid significant downtime. Fortune 500 CIOs are discovering that the safest choice for meticulous direct support isn’t Microsoft Unified anymore—it’s US Cloud.
Mike Jones
Written by:
Mike Jones
Published Feb 13, 2025
CIO Strategy for Microsoft Support, Reimagined: Why Fortune 500 CIOs Choose US Cloud

Businesses that run on Microsoft products often customize them into their own compliant networks, forming an idiosyncratic setup built for that exact company at that precise time. These intricately woven systems have been crafted into tailor-made infrastructures that require insider expert knowledge to maintain. It is out of the question to bet on support from an amateur with any level of meaningful access to this setup, otherwise this strategically knit system runs the risk of unraveling.

And that is why reliable Microsoft support is so important. Enterprises that depend on a functional Microsoft ecosystem can’t take an uncalculated bet on support that could jeopardize company progress.

For most CIOs, that means trusting Microsoft Unified Support to come through with solutions because they should be the experts on how to fix issues with their own product…right? Theoretically, yes. However, forever-rising costs, service delays, and shifts in engineer staffing have altered Microsoft Support clients’ ability to receive timely and personalized support.

Downtime isn’t an option. Fortune 500 CIOs trust US Cloud for faster Microsoft support.

Direct Microsoft Support through Unified/Premier is no longer the “safe bet.” It’s a gamble on how long (or sometimes if) Microsoft solutions will arrive to break up the downtime.

These long-term changes in direct Microsoft support have forced CIOs to evaluate other options for keeping their Microsoft environments online. Tech leaders at many companies have found, for example, that choosing US Cloud ends up being a choice that is not only safe, but also success-enhancing.

US Cloud has replaced Microsoft Unified support for over six million users—including professionals at over 50 of the country’s Fortune 500 companies. Read to the end to see how this third-party earned the trust of CIOs nationwide thanks to expert—and cost-effective—Microsoft assistance.

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Seeking Safer Bets: The Rising Demand for an Alternative to Microsoft Unified Support

Three aspects of the modern Microsoft ecosystem necessitate alternative options for Microsoft support: rising product complexity, increasing direct support costs, and time constraints.

Increasing Microsoft Product Complexities

As Microsoft continues to develop their products, including Azure, M365, Dynamics 365, and more, resulting Microsoft issues can leave clients with increasingly complex problems. In other words, the more you can do with Microsoft products, the more can go wrong.

To create an IT ecosystem that functions well, CIOs need to focus on maximizing use of Microsoft products. That’s awfully tough to do if your team is stuck in the mire of a complicated issue that isn’t getting enough support attention to get solved. So, for an infrastructure that actually works, you’ll need diligent Microsoft support engineers who are familiar with how to navigate increasingly complex Microsoft incidents.

Shocked woman with a credit card, reacting to rising Microsoft support costs.
Microsoft support costs skyrocketing? US Cloud is the smarter choice.

Rising Microsoft Unified Support Costs

Microsoft Unified Support costs continue to rise at unprecedented rates, leaving companies scrambling to allocate funds for support. Much of the time, direct Microsoft support clients might feel beholden to Microsoft as the original producer of these products.

In the case of these enterprises who pay thousands (or even over a million) dollars every year for this service, finding third-party support means that they don’t have to be trapped at the whim of Microsoft’s unpredictable pricing structures.

Microsoft Solutions Can’t Wait a Second Longer

Innovative businesses work quickly at the edge of technology. When something goes wrong in their Microsoft or Azure environment, these enterprises need faster, high-quality Microsoft support—not the kind of support that takes hours, days, or even months to resolve a ticket.

At third-party Microsoft support solutions like US Cloud, support is more agile and domestically local, providing clients with the rapid ticket resolution it takes to keep them in the game.

Microsoft issues can’t wait—US Cloud resolves critical IT problems faster than Microsoft Unified.

Why US Cloud is the #1 Risk-Free Microsoft Support Alternative

When it comes to third-party alternatives to direct Microsoft support, US Cloud is the leading competitor. When it comes to those painstakingly crafted IT infrastructures so standard for medium to large enterprises, the support has to work. It just has to.

Here’s what makes US Cloud a wise choice no matter how precarious your IT ecosystem is:

  • US Cloud has earned a proven reputation for success.
  • We’re committed to offering expert support service for a predictably lower cost.
  • Our specialists are available for 24/7 Microsoft support.
  • Our engineers power experienced teams from within the United States.
  • We offer comprehensive coverage for all of the most crucial Microsoft products.
US Cloud’s Proven Track Record of Excellence

US Cloud’s Proven Track Record of Excellence

Our capable third-party support services have fully replaced Microsoft Unified Support for over 6+ million Microsoft users. Companies supported by US Cloud include businesses around the world, as well as 50+ Fortune 500 enterprises.

Our clients renew their support contracts with us so they can retain 24/7 global support delivered by highly experienced U.S.-based teams. Such aspects of our service generally encourage minimal downtime and maximum performance for your enterprise.

Established in 2018, US Cloud has established itself as the #1 alternative to Microsoft Unified Support, providing comprehensive coverage for all Microsoft products and services that keeps businesses around the world up and running.

Cost Savings of 30-50% Over Microsoft Unified Support

Per Gartner, US Cloud’s cost-effective pricing and support model can lead to significant savings of 30-50% compared to Microsoft Unified Support, allowing CIOs to demonstrate substantial budget optimization.

The secret behind offering significant savings alongside quality support: transparent pricing with no surprise fees. This includes the “Rate Lock” component of our service level agreements (SLAs). This facet of our pricing allows you to pay the same cost for additional service hours with no penalty. This covers up to 50% of your original annual purchase, providing clients with a safety net for break-fix or proactive support that may be necessary before the contract is up.

With that kind of predictability and cost optimization, CIOs who use US Cloud’s third-party Microsoft support can reallocate more of their IT budget for innovation and other digital initiatives.

A friendly support engineer wearing a headset, representing US Cloud’s 24/7 Microsoft enterprise support with U.S.-based experts.
24/7 Microsoft support from expert US Cloud’s U.S.-based engineers. Faster resolutions, no escalations.

Unmatched 24/7 Global Microsoft Support

Clients who get Microsoft support through US Cloud can always contact an expert, regardless of the time of day—or even time zone. That’s because we have engineers supporting our clients around the clock.

We believe every business deserves Fortune 500-level dedication. This 24/7 support coverage ensures that no client is left hanging in their time of need, regardless of when a Microsoft incident affects their systems.

Expert U.S.-Based Teams Go Beyond Basic Support

Our teams at US Cloud feature Microsoft-certified engineers who are 100% based in the United States. Keeping our experts in the U.S., we find, is important for a variety of reasons, but most importantly to provide improved service to the businesses who trust us with their Microsoft support.

That means fewer escalations to external entities, which means more direct access to senior-level experts and faster ticket resolutions. Case studies show that our engineers have a proven track record of success when it comes to handling critical Microsoft enterprise issues.

Additionally, our escalation rate to Microsoft remains low. Less than 18% of all tickets handled by US Cloud are escalated to Microsoft. That means approximately 82% of all tickets are handled directly in-house at US Cloud (at the time of the creation of this article). For clients, that means less time explaining the problem and more time benefitting from swifter results.

Close-up of the Microsoft Azure website on a screen, highlighting US Cloud’s comprehensive Microsoft product support.
Full Microsoft coverage—Azure, M365, Windows Server, SQL, and more. US Cloud keeps you ahead.

Comprehensive Coverage Across All Microsoft Products

Our senior-level experts have experience with issue resolution for the full range of Microsoft products, including Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, SQL, Dynamics 365, and more. If you want to confirm that we cover a specific Microsoft product, just request more information from our team! We’ll be happy to sort system coverage options out with you.

Proactive incident resolution and dedicated account managers are the US Cloud difference. Our coverage of Microsoft products is not limited to fixing an issue after it has already happened. Our Technical Account Managers (TAMs) become your IT team’s trusted advisor in the face of the breakages that haven’t even happened yet. We don’t utilize Customer Service Account Managers (CSAMs) like Microsoft Unified plans do. Your dedicated experts are there to help you stay one step ahead of system issues.

US Cloud Is the Safe Bet CIOs Trust for Microsoft Support

Not only do the benefits above support the efficiency of any enterprise’s IT team, they also have the combined benefits of the following:

  • Acquiring greater control over service quality and vendor management throughout the IT department
  • Developing a CIO’s reputation for wise IT budgeting and cost optimization
  • Future-proofing the IT infrastructure with a reliable third-party Microsoft support partner that thinks ahead, too

Switch to the Safe—and Smart—Microsoft Support Alternative

Us Cloud is not a new or risky alternative to direct Microsoft support. Our team has been serving enterprises of all sizes as they free themselves from Microsoft Unified Support. Your high-functioning IT infrastructure is safe in the capable hands of our U.S.-based experts, and you can still get the level of Microsoft support you expect for a fraction of the cost of Microsoft Unified.

Sign up for unbeatable savings, world-class expertise, and unparalleled Microsoft support services. Contact US Cloud today for a consultation about how we can help you and your IT team eliminate the woes of Microsoft Unified.

CIOs, there’s no need to risk a gamble on Microsoft system success. With US Cloud, you can bet on it.

A green "CIO" key on a keyboard, symbolizing IT leaders optimizing Microsoft support strategy with US Cloud.
CIOs save 30-50% on Microsoft support with US Cloud—same coverage, better service.

CIO Microsoft Support Strategy FAQs

How does US Cloud match up to Microsoft Unified Support?

Through US Cloud, you can expect the same comprehensive support as Microsoft Unified, but at a 30-50% lower cost. However, unlike Microsoft, US Cloud guarantees 100% United States-based engineers, faster response times, and right-sized SLAs to meet enterprise needs.

Which Microsoft products and services are supported by US Cloud?

US Cloud provides 24/7 expert support for Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, SQL Server, Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Exchange, and other Microsoft enterprise solutions.

How much can be saved on support costs by switching to US Cloud?

Enterprises can save up to 30-50% on their Microsoft support costs by switching from Microsoft Unified to US Cloud, giving CIOs the chance to optimize IT budgets without sacrificing support quality.

Can US Cloud offer the same level of secure and reliable support as direct Microsoft Support?

Absolutely. US Cloud is a trusted third-party support provider that has replaced Microsoft Unified for over 6+ million Microsoft users. Our clients include over 50 of the country’s Fortune 500 companies thanks to our team of highly experienced engineers based in the United States. We ensure that all clients receive secure, compliant, dependable, and expert-level support with minimal downtime after a Microsoft incident.

Is it difficult to switch from Microsoft Unified to US Cloud for Microsoft support?

Switching to US Cloud is a seamless process thanks to our dedicated technical account managers (TAMs). At every step of the process, our team will be there to guide your team, ensuring that no system components fall through the cracks during the switch.

How can my organization transition to US Cloud from Microsoft Unified?

Enterprises can request a call to investigate the true needs of the company. Afterwards a customized support plan is created, a quote will be compiled for the client. Once the transition process is initiated, dedicated account managers (TAMs) will support a smooth migration to your new cost-effective (but not lower-quality) Microsoft support service.

How does US Cloud fit into a financially sound CIO strategy?

Since US Cloud plans can save clients 30-50% on Microsoft support costs without making sacrifices on the quality of Microsoft expertise, CIOs have been trusting US Cloud to optimize their long-term goals since 2018.

Mike Jones
Mike Jones
Mike Jones stands out as a leading authority on Microsoft enterprise solutions and has been recognized by Gartner as one of the world’s top subject matter experts on Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (EA) and Unified (formerly Premier) Support contracts. Mike's extensive experience across the private, partner, and government sectors empowers him to expertly identify and address the unique needs of Fortune 500 Microsoft environments. His unparalleled insight into Microsoft offerings makes him an invaluable asset to any organization looking to optimize their technology landscape.
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