Custom Provisioning Server vs Skype for Business Online services

The current Microsoft approved  version according to Polycom is 5.9.0.9373 yet Microsoft is only pushing 5.8.0.12848.  Is there a site that explains the provisioning model of this joint partnership (Polycom and Microsoft).  Or is it best practice to just standup your own provisioning server and not rely on Microsoft to update?  

Thanks