Articles on Procurement
Learnings from an Enterprise Agreement Renewal for a Large Multinational Enterprise
A nine-month Enterprise Agreement renewal exposed what truly drives outcomes: early alignment, structured governance, timing discipline, flexible strategy, and stronger executive and negotiation capabilities.
Switching from EA to CSP? Read this first!
Is it still a good idea to switch some or all of your Microsoft licensing to CSP in 2062? Here’s a story you may relate to.
Why We Don't Sell Microsoft Licences
Independent Microsoft advice means no hidden sales agenda: we don’t sell licences, we negotiate harder, cut costs deeper, and challenge Microsoft without compromise.
Is Your Microsoft Advisor Really Working for You?
Microsoft partners provide valuable knowledge, but their incentives often align with Redmond, not clients. True independence means unbiased advice, direct consulting fees, and strategies optimised for customer—not Microsoft—outcomes.
TRUE or FALSE: The truth about Microsoft CSP 2025
There is quite a bit of biased and outdated advice about the Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner Program. Let’s cut through the noise and get you up to speed.
Cloud cost savings: where do you begin?
Use these 12 targeted questions to identify Azure cost-saving opportunities and improve budget control.
How to negotiate an excellent Microsoft deal in 2025
Microsoft has effectively created a situation where organisations feel almost captive to their offerings. Alternatives are diminishing, and suppliers have little incentive to offer compelling discounts unless there’s a strong business case or a significant alternative presented.
Microsoft Budgets, Discounts, and investment in AI
Microsoft’s escalating cloud costs and aggressive pricing strategies raise concerns: Is the surge in Azure spending and AI investments truly benefiting enterprises, or just boosting Microsoft’s profits?
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is Finished. Or is it?
Regardless of your organisation’s size or location, now is the time to begin preparations for the end of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. It may not happen to your organisation in 2025, but considering current developments, it could happen sooner than expected.
Microsoft's AI Strategy: The Impact on Partners
Microsoft’s updated AI strategy raises concerns: is it truly partner-focused or just another way for Microsoft to tighten its grip? Partners need to be wary and prioritize their own interests.
Best time to cut Microsoft Enterprise Agreement costs: True-Ups and Renewals
Annual true-ups and renewals provide the best optimal cost management opportunities for your Enterprise Agreement. Learn why they are important and improve your game.
Microsoft Copilot Pricing and Negotiation
In this article, I’m taking a step back from the usual discussions about Copilot’s features or benefits to end users. Instead, I want to talk about the cost.
What is CSP? Microsoft Cloud Solution Program explained
Here’s everything you need to know about Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program if you purchase Microsoft software and cloud. What it is, and how it works.
Prioritising Cloud Optimisation
CIOs in 2024: optimising cloud use and reducing costs while enhancing service delivery and efficiency.
Get the best deal from your 2024 Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement negotiations in 2024 hinge on aligning stakeholder understanding, strategic product analysis, and cost-optimised planning.
Microsoft Cloud Deals 2024: Capitalising on Regulatory Dynamics in Negotiations
The 2024 outlook for Microsoft cloud negotiations is set against a backdrop of intensifying regulatory scrutiny, an opportunity to secure more favourable terms
Glossary: Decoding Microsoft Licensing Jargon
Dealing with Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, MACC, and Unified Support can feel like learning a new language. Here’s a glossary to help you decode the jargon.
Microsoft Hosting - Revolutionary Changes in October 2022
In October 2022, Microsoft dramatically simplified the terms and conditions for “Bring Your Own License”. But not every change was positive for everyone.
Approaching a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Renewal
SAMexpert’s Alexander Golev shares expert insights on Microsoft agreement renewals in an exclusive interview with Service Management authority Jeffrey Tefertiller.
SPLA reporting and Purchase Orders
Q: “We raised a PO with our SPLA reseller for a year to purchase 1000 licenses per month, but the actual license quantity fluctuates monthly. What should we do?”
Negotiating Microsoft Unified Support Agreement
How to negotiate your Microsoft Unified Support Agreement. Get practical advice from Microsoft agreement experts with over 20 years of experience.
Why are my Unified Support costs increasing?
It is confusing and even frustrating to see the cost of Unified Support increase every year, even though you are not utilising additional support services.
Negotiation envelope for Microsoft Agreement renewal
When negotiating an Enterprise Agreement renewal, finding common ground between yourself and Microsoft is essential if both sides are to reach an agreement.
SQL Server 2022 licensing: economic impact of the changes
Changes to SQL Server licensing in 2022 — how they may impact your budget. The new per-VM licensing model, Azure Disaster Recovery, and unlimited containers.
Renewing Microsoft Enterprise Agreement in a Tight Economy
The recession makes us focus on cutting costs and expenses. One area that may bring significant wins is negotiating your Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.
MS SQL Server Cost Optimisation: Proven Tips
Learn cost-saving tips for optimizing SQL Server licensing on-premises and in the cloud. Improve the bottom line and reduce expenses with our expert guidance.
Microsoft Unified Support: Cost, Services, Discounts
What is Microsoft Unified Support, what does it include, how much does Unified Support cost, and why is it suddenly so expensive compared to Premier support?
Cloud spend spinning out of control
As we are coming out of the “Covid” era, some of us are waking up to a new era of accelerated Cloud-related spending that no one expected.
5 Cost Saving Ideas for Microsoft Cloud and Licenses in 2022
What areas should we focus on while looking for cost savings in Microsoft Cloud and licensing in 2022?