This is a big quarter for Microsoft, with the release of Windows 8 and Office 2013, as well as the Surface / RT line of tablets and phones.
It’s also a historic market opportunity for Microsoft’s enterprise customers. Most large businesses have been paying for Enterprise Agreements for a decade or more now, and are wondering whether the continued investment is worthwhile in a time of tightening cost controls and decreased relevance of traditional desktop computing in the enterprise. Will the market embrace Microsoft’s new products, or yawn and continue to run on the “good enough” existing versions of Win/Office, and continue the amazing adoption of Apple and Google OS based products?
As “bring your own device” smartphones, tablets, thin clients, even traditional PCs become more common and cost-effective, the Redmond monopoly seeks to continue extracting more dollars per device from its customers. For every technical innovation that brings flexibility, mobility and cost savings, Microsoft tweaks licensing terms to protect its cash cow revenue streams – thereby ruining many ROI models before they are ever implemented.
In our Client engagements, everyone is asking about cloud strategies, trying to find the optimal path to improve flexibility, removed fixed costs from IT budgets, and protect the enterprise’s ability to deliver services to the business rapidly and at low cost.
Microsoft’s stock answer to these questions is “Office 365” - which, of course, relies on continued renewals of Enterprise Agreements and their mandatory Software Assurance. Office 365, according to Microsoft, promises liberation from the endless desktop software upgrade cycle, flexibility, reliability and lower costs.
But does it, really?
Traditional Microsoft Enterprise Agreements are commonly loaded up with unused shelf-ware (that still must be paid for), and Office 365 is very much a “one size, but it doesn’t fit very many” solution. Many enterprises examine these options and are not satisfied with either.
NET(net) has developed a series of strategies that offer enterprise customers more flexibility and lower cost than Microsoft’s proposed solutions.
In fact, the current release / renewal cycle presents a historic opportunity. Enterprises who are renewing licensing deals with Microsoft in the next few months will have unprecedented negotiation leverage, if they understand the true long-term meaning of the all of the choices that are available to them; and have in-depth understanding of ALL the options available, and how to correctly, accurately analyze the true costs and benefits of the software and services that Microsoft sells.
In the last 10 years, we have helped clients find, get and keep 40% savings on average, but with these new market opportunities and your unique situation, those numbers could be significantly higher… so don’t sign any new deal with Microsoft without talking to us first.
About NET(net)
Celebrating 10 years, NET(net) is the world’s leading IT Investment Optimization firm, helping clients find, get and keep more economic and strategic value. With over 1,500 clients around the world in nearly all industries and geographies, and with the experience of over 15,000 field engagements with over 250 technology suppliers in XaaS, Cloud, Hardware, Software, Services, Healthcare, Outsourcing, Infrastructure, Telecommunications, and other areas of IT spend, resulting in incremental client value captured in excess of $100 billion since 2002, NET(net) has the expertise you need, the experience you want, and the performance you demand. Contact your NET(net) representative, email us today at info@netnetweb.com, visit us online at www.netnetweb.com, or call us at +1-866-2-NET-net to see if we can help you capture more value in your IT investments, agreements, and supplier relationships.
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