How to negotiate an excellent Microsoft deal in 2025
Enterprise Agreement

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.

30.01.2025
Daryl Ullman
Daryl Ullman
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is Finished. Or is it?
Microsoft Customer Agreement

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.

16.11.2024
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
FinOps Trends: Cloud Strategies and Optimization
AI

FinOps Trends: Cloud Strategies and Optimization

FinOps Trends 2025: companies shift back to on-premises solutions, optimise cloud expenses, and adopt generative AI.

20.03.2025
Daryl Ullman
Daryl Ullman
Microsoft SPLA Explained: Everything You Need to Know - 2025
SPLA and CSP Hosting

Microsoft SPLA Explained: Everything You Need to Know - 2025

What is SPLA, and how does it work? Benefits for providers and end-users. Hosting providers’ licensing options. SPLA audits and compliance.

16.03.2025
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
SPLA Audit How-to Guide 2025
SPLA and CSP Hosting

SPLA Audit How-to Guide 2025

SPLA audits are inevitable, disruptive, and confusing. The results can be shocking if you are not prepared. Here’s how to pass a SPLA audit with flying colours.

16.03.2025
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
TRUE or FALSE: The truth about Microsoft CSP 2025
CSP

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There is quite a bit of biased and outdated advice about the Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner Program.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.

17.03.2025
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
Cloud cost savings: where do you begin?
Azure

Cloud cost savings: where do you begin?

Use these 12 targeted questions to identify Azure cost-saving opportunities and improve budget control.

13.03.2025
Daryl Ullman
Daryl Ullman
SQL Server with Azure Arc vs. SPLA
SPLA and CSP Hosting

SQL Server with Azure Arc vs. SPLA

Microsoft Azure Arc is changing the game for SQL Server licensing, offering service providers new ways to meet their clients’ needs. With Azure Arc, clients can connect any SQL Server to Azure and take advantage of pay-as-you-go licensing for greater flexibility and cost savings.

04.02.2025
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Explained - 2025
Enterprise Agreement

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Explained - 2025

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Guide for IT and procurement. Includes true-up, renewal, and negotiation advice from independent experts with 20+ years of experience.

04.02.2025
Alexander Golev
Daryl Ullman
Effective Microsoft MACC Negotiations in 2025
FinOps & Cloud Economics

Effective Microsoft MACC Negotiations in 2025

Due to AI investments and below-expected sales, Microsoft is tightening discounts and pushing margins. If you’re renewing Azure, prepare for tougher negotiations.

13.01.2025
Daryl Ullman
Stefan Denk
4 types of SPLA Compliance Audits by Microsoft
Audit defence

4 types of SPLA Compliance Audits by Microsoft

Microsoft may send you different “compliance verification” notices depending on your size, country, and position on their “target list”. Here is what they are.

10.12.2024
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev
Windows Server 2025 with Azure Arc Pay-as-you-Go
Windows Server

Windows Server 2025 with Azure Arc Pay-as-you-Go

Although it is an excellent update that provides better customer choice in licensing Windows Server 2025, the Pay-as-you-Go option is so far unusable considering the current language in Microsoft Product Terms.

02.12.2024
Alexander Golev
Alexander Golev