In this article
The short answer
Whether you buy Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS or Zoho direct or through an authorised partner, you get the same product, running on the same provider platform. Your mail, files and servers sit with the provider either way.
What changes when you buy through a partner such as DevOps TechLab:
- Price: at or below the provider’s list price.
- Billing: invoices from us in rupees, with GST.
- Payment: bank transfer against our invoice, instead of a card on file.
- Setup and support: engineers who set it up, move your data and take the first call when something goes wrong.
Buying direct vs through DevOps TechLab
| Buying direct | Through DevOps TechLab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | List price, plus any offers the provider runs for new customers, such as Google Workspace introductory prices. | At or below list price. We confirm the current price in every quote. |
| Billing | The provider bills you. AWS India bills India-based AWS accounts in rupees; Google India Private Limited invoices Google Workspace and shows your GSTIN; Microsoft applies local tax when you are billed from India; Zoho publishes India prices in rupees. | Invoices from us in rupees with GST. A GST-registered business can use them to claim input tax credit, subject to the GST rules. Google Cloud and Google Workspace can share one invoice. |
| Payment method | Usually a card. Google Workspace in India also takes NetBanking and UPI. Microsoft takes cards, with UPI and NetBanking for one-time payments by existing customers. AWS India takes cards and bank transfer to the account on its invoice. | Bank transfer against our invoice. |
| Setup and migration | You set it up yourself from the provider’s guides, or hire someone to do it. | We set up your domain, users and security, and move your mail, files or servers. |
| Support | The provider’s own support channels and plans. | Our team first. If the provider is needed, we raise the case with them and follow it up. |
| Licence changes | You add and remove licences in the admin console, under the provider’s rules. | We add, remove and renew licences for you, under the same provider rules. |
| Funding and credits | You apply yourself for programmes open to customers, such as AWS Activate. | We check which AWS, Microsoft and Google programmes your project may qualify for, and apply with you where a partner is needed. |
Provider details checked on the providers’ own pages on 29 October 2026.
The provider’s rules on changes apply whichever way you buy. Two examples: on Google Workspace’s Annual/Fixed-Term Plan you can reduce licences at renewal, while the Flexible Plan lets you remove users at any time; and for Microsoft licences bought through a partner under new commerce, a cancellation within seven calendar days of purchase gets a prorated refund.
What changes for each product
- Microsoft 365. Buying Microsoft 365 through a partner means the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) route. You approve the partner in the Microsoft 365 admin centre under Settings > Partner relationships, agree which admin roles they get (granular delegated admin privileges), and can remove those roles at any time. See our Microsoft 365 page.
- Google Workspace. To move to a Google Workspace reseller in India, a super admin starts the transfer in the Admin console under Account > Reseller management, using the reseller’s public ID. Google says transfers don’t affect your data or availability, and billing moves to the reseller from the transfer date. Transfers can’t be reversed, and you can make at most two a calendar year. See our Google Workspace page.
- AWS. Under the AWS Solution Provider Program, partners resell AWS and manage billing for their customers. If you buy direct, AWS India bills India-based accounts in rupees. See our AWS partner page.
- Zoho. Zoho lists its partners in its own directory, with Authorized, Advanced and Premium tiers. Zoho partner vs direct comes down to the same points as the table: price, setup, support and who you call. See our Zoho page.
Choosing a mailbox first? Our business email comparison puts Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Zoho Mail side by side, and the licence calculator shows the cost of any mix.
When buying direct makes sense
Buying direct is a sound choice in plenty of cases:
- You have an IT person who is comfortable in the admin console and doesn’t need help with setup or migration.
- You need a handful of licences, you are happy to pay by card or UPI, and you don’t need payment by bank transfer.
- The provider is running a new-customer offer, such as Google Workspace introductory pricing, that works out cheaper than a partner quote.
- You are a large company with an enterprise agreement negotiated with the provider, or a dedicated account team there already.
- You are applying for credits you request yourself, such as AWS Activate Founders for self-funded startups.
Buying direct no longer means going without a GST invoice: AWS, Google and Microsoft all bill Indian businesses locally. If you don’t need the help or the payment terms, direct is perfectly reasonable.
How to check a partner is real
- AWS: search the AWS Partner Solutions Finder. It shows each partner’s tier and validated designations. Our listing is here.
- Microsoft: search Microsoft’s Find a partner directory and check the designation, for example Solutions Partner for Modern Work. Once you work together, the partner appears in your admin centre under Settings > Partner relationships.
- Google: use the Google Cloud partner directory, which also lists Google Workspace partners.
- Zoho: use Zoho’s Find a Zoho Partner directory and pick a country first. If a partner isn’t listed, Zoho suggests checking with its partner operations team.
- Ask for the paperwork: a sample invoice with the partner’s GSTIN and, for Google Workspace, their reseller public ID.
How DevOps TechLab helps
Our story starts in 2017. We sell, set up and support Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS and Zoho for Indian businesses, and our credentials are listed in each provider’s own directory:
- AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner, with the SMB and Generative AI Software Competencies
- Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work
- Google Cloud Partner (Select tier) and Select partner for Google Workspace
- Zoho Authorized Partner
See all of them on our partners page, or write to sales@devopstechlab.com with your team size and what you use today. We reply with a price at or below list for each option that fits.
Questions people ask
Is Microsoft 365 cheaper through a partner?
Through us it is at or below Microsoft’s list price, and we confirm the current price in every quote. Microsoft’s own offers can change, so compare our quote with the price on Microsoft’s India site on the day.
Do we get a GST invoice if we buy direct?
Usually, yes. AWS India bills India-based AWS accounts in rupees, Google India Private Limited invoices Google Workspace and shows your GSTIN, and Microsoft applies local tax when you are billed from India. Through us, you get rupee invoices with GST from one Indian company.
Will our email or files change if we move to a partner?
No. Changing who bills you doesn’t move your data. Google says Workspace transfers to a reseller don’t affect your data or availability, and a Microsoft partner works in your existing tenant through the partner relationship you approve.
Can a partner read our email?
A Microsoft partner gets the admin roles you approve and no others, and you can remove those roles at any time in the Microsoft 365 admin centre. Ask any partner which roles they need and why.
Can we switch partners, or go back to buying direct?
Yes. Google Workspace subscriptions move between Google and resellers through Reseller management, up to twice a calendar year. With Microsoft you can remove a partner’s roles and contact them to end the relationship.
How do we check that a partner is genuine?
Look them up in the provider’s own directory: the AWS Partner Solutions Finder, Microsoft’s Find a partner, the Google Cloud partner directory or Zoho’s Find a Zoho Partner. Ask for their GSTIN and, for Google Workspace, their reseller public ID.
Can AWS be billed through a partner in India?
Yes. Under the AWS Solution Provider Program, partners resell AWS and manage billing for their customers. If you buy direct, AWS India bills India-based accounts in rupees.
Want a quote for your licences?
Tell us your team size and what you use today. We reply with a price at or below list for each option that fits, billed in rupees with GST.
Sources
Checked on the providers’ and regulators’ own pages on 29 October 2026.
- AWS India FAQs (AWS)
- AWS Solution Provider Program (AWS)
- AWS Partner Solutions Finder (AWS)
- AWS Activate credits (AWS)
- Taxes in your region (Google Workspace)
- Payment options in my country (Google Workspace)
- Transfer subscriptions between Google and resellers (Google Workspace)
- Compare Flexible and Annual/Fixed-Term payment plans (Google Workspace)
- Find a partner (Google Cloud)
- Tax information for Microsoft 365 for business (Microsoft)
- Payment options for Microsoft business subscriptions (Microsoft)
- Manage partner relationships (Microsoft)
- New commerce cancellation policy (Microsoft)
- Find a partner (Microsoft)
- Find a Zoho Partner (Zoho)
- Zoho Mail pricing, India (Zoho)