Alexander Golev’s Post

Microsoft: "Beginning January 1st, 2025, a small percentage of cloud Enterprise Agreements in direct markets will no longer be eligible for renewal under the existing EA framework." There is only one thing we know for sure. The announced change will only affect the so called direct markets – countries and territories where Microsoft operates directly. If you are in a direct market, Microsoft may or may not notify you in January. There are no published lists, and there are no published clear parameters, clear criteria to tell whether you are a lucky one. If your organisation is in an indirect country, you're safe. For now. For now, because Microsoft desperately wants to discontinue legacy agreements, including Enterprise Agreement, and replace them with a single one – Microsoft Customer Agreement. Practical advice: – Assume your EA may be discontinued. – Learn about MCA and CSP agreements. – Learn about their differences with EA. – Analyse how these differences may affect your IT operations, on-premises and in the cloud. – Calculate how these differences will affect your Bill of Materials, licensing, and cloud costs. – Prepare for a tough negotiation, especially if you are in an EA level B, C, or D. — Find us here for independent advice: https://lnkd.in/e_r6nmPt #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

If you use Core Infrastructure Suite Licenses and have a soon-to-expire Enterprise Agreement, you are at risk. Microsoft has stated it will start cancelling EA renewals and migrating customers to MCA-E and CSP channels. Here's the problem: — You may be required to switch to MCAE upon EA renewal. — CIS is unavailable in the Microsoft Customer Agreement Enterprise (MCAE). — You will see a 20-30% cost increase if you can't renew the licenses. What can you do about it? — It might still be possible to renew CIS licenses through the Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA). — Consult both with your reseller and an independent expert. — Calculate the impact. — In challenging situations, prepare to negotiate aggressively. Also, set realistic expectations and prepare your budget for the next renewal in 3-5 years, as discounts may be reduced or eliminated. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your next Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/e_r6nmPt #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

If you use Core Infrastructure Suite Licenses and have a soon-to-expire Enterprise Agreement, you are at risk. Microsoft has stated it will start cancelling EA renewals and migrating customers to MCA-E and CSP channels. Here's the problem: — You may be required to switch to MCAE upon EA renewal. — CIS is unavailable in the Microsoft Customer Agreement Enterprise (MCAE). — You will see a 20-30% cost increase if you can't renew the licenses. What can you do about it? — It might still be possible to renew CIS licenses through the Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA). — Consult both with your reseller and an independent expert. — Calculate the impact. — In challenging situations, prepare to negotiate aggressively. Also, set realistic expectations and prepare your budget for the next renewal in 3-5 years, as discounts may be reduced or eliminated. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your next Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/ePJeKgkN #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

If you have a current Enterprise Agreement, you're going to lose your pricelist discounts switching to MCA-E. Microsoft Enterprise Agreement has predefined discounts, the so-called levels B, C, and D. Those discounts are guaranteed even without a negotiation. CSP and MCA-E channels don't have programmatic discounts. The price is the same, regardless of the size of the deal. I'm sure Microsoft will be willing to ease the transition, and you may get a nice discount when switching to MCA-E for the first time, however: — Firstly, you will have to negotiate it down from the single recommended retail price. — And secondly, there is no guarantee you'll get the same discount at the next renewal. Regardless of your size or whether you are in a direct market or not 2025 is the time you need to start preparing for the inevitable end of life of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. Considering the current developments, it may happen sooner than you expect. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/ePJeKgkN #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

"MCA-E is an evolution of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement." What a load of BS! Microsoft Customer Agreement is by no means a digital evolution of the traditional Enterprise Agreement. — There is no Software Assurance so you cannot renew from an EA to an MCA-E. Your costs will go up because you'll have to resubscribe. — There are no FromSA discounts, so your costs will go up. — The transition from legacy M365 plans with Teams to the modern plans "without Teams"? Your costs will go up. — There are licensing changes that will raise the costs further. — There are Azure implementation differences too. And it's not the entire list. Don't wait, prepare! Practical advice: – Assume your EA may be discontinued. – Learn about MCA and CSP agreements. – Learn about their differences with EA. – Analyse how these differences may affect your IT operations, on-premises and in the cloud. – Calculate how these differences will affect your Bill of Materials, licensing, and cloud costs. – Prepare for a tough negotiation, especially if you are in an EA level B, C, or D. — Find us here for independent advice: https://lnkd.in/ePJeKgkN #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

"MCA-E is an evolution of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement." What a load of BS! Microsoft Customer Agreement is by no means a digital evolution of the traditional Enterprise Agreement. — There is no Software Assurance so you cannot renew from an EA to an MCA-E. Your costs will go up because you'll have to resubscribe. — There are no FromSA discounts, so your costs will go up. — The transition from legacy M365 plans with Teams to the modern plans "without Teams"? Your costs will go up. — There are licensing changes that will raise the costs further. — There are Azure implementation differences too. And it's not the entire list. Don't wait, prepare! Practical advice: – Assume your EA may be discontinued. – Learn about MCA and CSP agreements. – Learn about their differences with EA. – Analyse how these differences may affect your IT operations, on-premises and in the cloud. – Calculate how these differences will affect your Bill of Materials, licensing, and cloud costs. – Prepare for a tough negotiation, especially if you are in an EA level B, C, or D. — Find us here for independent advice: https://lnkd.in/e_r6nmPt #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

Most organisations only negotiate their Enterprise Agreements every three to five years. During that time, priorities shift and focus on the EA often fades into the background. By the time renewal approaches, the reality of the EA landscape has significantly changed—but without staying informed, you are unprepared for what’s coming. Budgets are often based on the expiring EA, crafted by individuals without deep expertise in Microsoft licensing or the evolving financial environment. The result? Chronic under-budgeting. When the CFO receives the renewal quote, the shock is immediate: it’s not the expected 5–10% increase—it’s 30% or more. This pattern, already common, will likely intensify in 2025 as Microsoft’s pricing strategies and product shifts drive costs even higher. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/e_r6nmPt #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

Microsoft will discontinue its Enterprise Agreement in January 2025. That was the shocking rumor that on November 11th, stunned not only Microsoft partners, but also those Enterprise Agreement clients who keep their hand on the pulse of Microsoft updates. A day later, Microsoft published an official announcement on the matter, assuming we can call a blog post an official announcement. Did they confirm the shocking rumor? Yes and no. And if you have an Enterprise Agreement, there are reasons to be worried. The blog confirmed that the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement will be discontinued in January 2025, but not for every Microsoft Enterprise Agreement customer. So if you have an Enterprise Agreement, are you on the target list? Let's find out from the blog post itself. "Beginning January 1st, 2025, a small percentage of cloud Enterprise Agreements in direct markets will no longer be eligible for renewal under the existing EA framework." As you can see, there is no clarity. If you are NOT in a direct market, you can relax for now. If you are IN a direct market, I guess, you'll soon know. Or not. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/e_r6nmPt #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

Microsoft will discontinue its Enterprise Agreement in January 2025. That was the shocking rumor that on November 11th, stunned not only Microsoft partners, but also those Enterprise Agreement clients who keep their hand on the pulse of Microsoft updates. A day later, Microsoft published an official announcement on the matter, assuming we can call a blog post an official announcement. Did they confirm the shocking rumor? Yes and no. And if you have an Enterprise Agreement, there are reasons to be worried. The blog confirmed that the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement will be discontinued in January 2025, but not for every Microsoft Enterprise Agreement customer. So if you have an Enterprise Agreement, are you on the target list? Let's find out from the blog post itself. "Beginning January 1st, 2025, a small percentage of cloud Enterprise Agreements in direct markets will no longer be eligible for renewal under the existing EA framework." As you can see, there is no clarity. If you are NOT in a direct market, you can relax for now. If you are IN a direct market, I guess, you'll soon know. Or not. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/ePJeKgkN #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

Most organisations only negotiate their Enterprise Agreements every three to five years. During that time, priorities shift and focus on the EA often fades into the background. By the time renewal approaches, the reality of the EA landscape has significantly changed—but without staying informed, you are unprepared for what’s coming. Budgets are often based on the expiring EA, crafted by individuals without deep expertise in Microsoft licensing or the evolving financial environment. The result? Chronic under-budgeting. When the CFO receives the renewal quote, the shock is immediate: it’s not the expected 5–10% increase—it’s 30% or more. This pattern, already common, will likely intensify in 2025 as Microsoft’s pricing strategies and product shifts drive costs even higher. 👉 Need assistance negotiating your Microsoft agreement? Find us here: https://lnkd.in/dAU7uQa4 #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement