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Why US Cloud Is the Microsoft Premier Support Replacement Enterprises Trust.

Frustrated with Microsoft Unified Support? There’s a better way. Explore the Microsoft Premier Support replacement trusted by Fortune 500 IT leaders and procurement pros. Act before your renewal deadline—or get locked into another year of overpriced, underwhelming Unified Support.
Robert E. LaMear IV - Founder, US CLOUD
Written by:
Rob LaMear
Published Jun 05, 2025
Why US Cloud Is the Microsoft Premier Support Replacement Enterprises Trust.

When Microsoft Premier Support was in its prime, IT teams knew exactly what they were getting: fast, reliable, and expert help from real engineers who understood their business. But today, what used to be a trusted lifeline has morphed into Microsoft Unified Support—a bloated, one-size-fits-all bundle that costs more and delivers less.

Here’s the good news: You DO have a choice. And more IT leaders are realizing it.

What Happened to Microsoft Premier Support?

Microsoft logo on dark wall background.
Microsoft Premier Support is gone—replaced by a pricier, slower alternative.

Once the gold standard for enterprise-level technical support, Microsoft Premier Support gave businesses direct access to technical account managers (TAMs), fast ticket escalation, and personalized care. Then came Unified Support, Microsoft’s new model, which replaced Premier and consolidated support into a costly tiered subscription.

Unified looks good on paper but often leads to slower response times, outsourced support, and rising prices year over year (30% to 400% in year one alone). Sticking with the OEM for Microsoft Support should have lead to reliable support from the very experts who made the products. In reality, customers tend to experience no transparency in pricing, limited flexibility, and support teams that feel more like sales reps than true partners.

If it feels like support has gotten worse…you’re not imagining things.

At many organizations, support from Microsoft now feels impersonal and reactive. IT leaders are dealing with disjointed teams, unfamiliar engineers, and service tickets that seem to fall into a black hole. This decline in quality comes as costs keep climbing. It’s a frustrating combination.

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The Real Alternative: US Cloud's Third-Party Microsoft Support

Enter US Cloud. We bring Microsoft support back to what it used to be—high-touch, highly effective, and 100% focused on solving your issues. We’re not a general MSP or a Microsoft Partner trying to do a little bit of everything. Support is ALL we do.

And it works. Over 50 of the Fortune 500 now trust us to replace their Microsoft Unified Support.

Why More IT Leaders Are Making the Switch

Close-up of Gartner website under magnifying glass.
Gartner reports more IT leaders are ditching Microsoft contracts for flexible third-party support.

Gartner says one in three IT buyers are already evaluating third-party support. Why? Because organizations are tired of being locked into rigid vendor contracts with diminishing returns.

With US Cloud, switching is not only possible—it’s painless. We offer:

  • 30-50% cost savings guaranteed over Unified Support.
  • <15-minute response times backed by financially guaranteed SLAs.
  • 100% senior engineers with an average of 15+ years of experience.
  • Unlimited Microsoft escalations including access to Microsoft Premier Support for Partners.

When US Cloud stacks up against Microsoft Unified Support, the frontrunner is clear. However, even if you stick with Microsoft, getting a quote from this viable competitor can give you negotiation leverage during your next Microsoft contract renewal discussion.

What to Look for in a Microsoft Premier Support Replacement

Here’s what separates real support from the bundled alternatives:

  • Round-the-Clock Service: Support shouldn’t sleep. You need 24/7/365 access to certified engineers who know your systems.
  • Dedicated Support Specialists: We provide real Technical Account Managers (TAMs), not CSAMs whose primary job is upselling.
  • Proactive Monitoring: We don’t just respond—we look for issues before they impact your environment.
  • Support for On-Prem AND Cloud: M365, Azure, SQL Server, Windows… you name it, we support it.
Businessman pressing "continuous monitoring" on a digital screen.
True Microsoft support means proactive monitoring—before problems hit.

How Third-Party Microsoft Support Pays Off: Cost vs. Value Analysis

A 30-50% “refund” on your support contract can mean real gains for your IT strategy. With that extra savings, you can reinvest in your company by:

  • Hiring more key staff
  • Tackling tech debt
  • Funding modernization projects
  • And more

The ROI is clear. Many of our clients report seven-figure savings after switching.

Case Study: Bottomline Technologies Chooses US Cloud for Superior Microsoft Support

Bottomline, a global provider of business payment automation technology, faced a major challenge: Microsoft Unified Support wasn’t meeting the pace or depth of support they required. In search of a more responsive, cost-effective alternative, they transitioned to US Cloud.

The result? A 50% reduction in support costs and a much more agile, collaborative relationship with their Microsoft support team. Bottomline now benefits from faster response times, personalized account management, and the ability to escalate directly to Microsoft engineers when needed.

Laptop screen showing Bottomline's business payments website.
Bottomline cut Microsoft support costs by 50% after switching to US Cloud.

Sticking with Microsoft? Get a Quote Anyway.

Why? Because it gives you the leverage Microsoft won’t.

Use our transparent pricing to negotiate better terms. Or make the switch and take control for good. Either way, you’re not stuck.

If you allow Microsoft to stall for long enough, you risk allowing Microsoft to make the decision for you.

Here’s what happens all too often:

  • Microsoft waits until late in the renewal cycle.
  • Bundled deals (Enterprise Agreements + Unified Support contracts) are pitched with little time for evaluation.
  • Customers run out of time and renew by default.

Then you’re locked in for another year (or more). Don’t let that happen.

Woman at computer giving thumbs up with US Cloud logo.
Don’t let Microsoft run out the clock—US Cloud gives you options and leverage.

Start evaluating now. Talk to our experts and get a side-by-side support comparison. Then, when it’s time to have those last-minute negotiations for how your next year with Microsoft will go, you’ll be armed with more leverage to steer the terms your way.

You’re not alone in this struggle. US Cloud already supports:

  • 50+ of the Fortune 500 and Global 2000
  • Enterprises with $100M+ in revenue
  • Organizations in every major industry

Customers who have switched to US Cloud from Unified Support report notable improvements in how their teams receive Microsoft support. With a 97% renewal rate, customers who turn to us for support typically don’t turn back.

They’ve done it. Now is your chance to take back control.

Your Next Steps for Microsoft Premier Support Replacement

If you’re feeling stuck, overcharged, and underserved by Microsoft Unified Support, it’s time to make a move.

US Cloud restores the Premier support model that made Microsoft a trusted partner in the first place—except now it’s faster, more personal, and significantly more cost-effective.

Make the switch. Or get a quote. Just don’t wait until your back is against the wall.

Book a Call

Robert E. LaMear IV - Founder, US CLOUD
Rob LaMear
Rob LaMear revolutionized the tech industry by being the pioneer who first offered SharePoint Portal Server 2001 as a cloud-hosted service. His close collaboration with Microsoft was instrumental in sharing multi-tenant expertise, paving the way for the development of SharePoint Online. Today, Rob's company, US Cloud, stands out as the only third-party support provider recognized by Gartner as fully capable of replacing Microsoft Unified (formerly Premier) support. His unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence ensures that US Cloud remains a trusted partner for enterprises globally, consistently delivering world-class support to organizations reliant on Microsoft software.
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  • Save 30-50% on Microsoft Premier/Unified Support
  • 2x Faster Resolution Time + SLAs
  • All-American Microsoft-Certified Engineers
  • 24/7 Global Customer Support

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