The technology vendor ecosystem has declared economic warfare on enterprise customers. In 2025 alone, organizations have endured a relentless onslaught of cost escalations that would have been unthinkable just years ago: Oracle's "Free" Java Trap: Some discovered that "free" Java came with massive Oracle audit bills reaching eight figures (see our detailed analysis: Breaking the Java Monopoly VMware's Broadcom Betrayal: Others were forced to navigate VMware's post-Broadcom acquisition gauntlet, facing cost increases of up to 800% (reference our blog on VMware strategies) Cloud Cost Hemorrhaging: Meanwhile, runaway cloud consumption costs ...
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Executive Summary: Microsoft's upcoming elimination of volume discounts on subscription agreements, effective November 1, 2025, is masquerading as a push for pricing consistency but is fundamentally a cynical ploy to inflate revenues by eroding enterprise bargaining power and locking in higher margins. Historical precedents, including the 2022 Microsoft 365 hikes of 8.6-25% and 2023's 9-15% cloud surges, demonstrate a consistent pattern where such "updates" drive up customer costs without delivering proportional value, as evidenced by previous subscription model shifts boosting Microsoft's commercial revenue by 31%. Enterprises face ...
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In the cutthroat arena of Managed Services Provider (MSP) contracts, the fine print can make or break your deal. With global IT services spending soaring to $1.3 trillion in 2024, per Gartner, enterprises are betting big on outsourcing—but vague terms, hidden costs, and rigid agreements can turn that bet into a bust. At NET(net), we’ve seen the fallout: clients trapped in inflexible contracts, blindsided by fees, or left hanging during critical outages. This isn’t just about signing a deal; it’s about crafting a contract that maximizes value, slashes risk, and keeps your MSP in check. Here’s our battle-tested Top 10 checklist for MSP ...
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In today's fast-evolving technological landscape, the Infrastructure Managed Services (IMS) industry stands at the forefront, acting as the backbone for global businesses that span diverse regulated markets including finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. With digital transformation becoming a centerpiece of organizational strategy, the integration of advanced technologies is more influential than ever. This blog delves into the profound impact of disruptive technologies reshaping the IMS sector and offers insights into how businesses can leverage these innovations to stay competitive and compliant. Disruptive Technology At the heart ...
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Bottom Line Up Front: The shift from seat-based to consumption pricing at enterprise software giants isn't about "aligning value with usage", it's a calculated move to extract more revenue while making costs less predictable and harder to control. Don't let the marketing mysticism fool you. The Marketing Fairy Tale vs. Reality Let me translate the vendor spin for you. When Salesforce announces "When we look at pricing, it will be on a consumption basis... about $2 per conversation" for their Agentforce AI, they're not being altruistic. They're not "aligning cost with value delivered." They're solving a revenue problem. Here's the ...
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For Tech Leaders, your mandate extends far beyond maintaining current systems; it's about strategically charting a course through the technological landscape of tomorrow. While AI dominates headlines, three other transformative technologies – Quantum Computing, 5G Expansion, and Spatial Computing/Extended Reality (XR) – are rapidly maturing. Each of these are poised to profoundly reshape our enterprises over the long term. Ignoring them is no longer an option, understanding their potential and preparing for their integration is a strategic imperative. Quantum Computing: Unprecedented Processing Power Quantum computing, once a theoretical ...
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Introduction In the fast-evolving dojo of artificial intelligence (AI), OpenAI stands as a formidable sensei, offering unparalleled large language models (LLMs) and generative AI capabilities that promise to transform enterprises. Yet, like wielding a katana, engaging with OpenAI requires precision, discipline, and mastery. An unmanaged acquisition of this technology can be akin to a novice swinging a samurai sword—resulting in catastrophic financial, technical, and legal wounds that can cripple an organization. With NET(net) as your master sensei, you transform from a vulnerable novice into a strategic samurai, staying in the driver’s seat ...
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Buckle up, enterprise tech buyers: DataStax just boarded IBM’s Death Star, and their CEO’s LinkedIn post is a glitter-dusted fantasy that deserves a cold, hard reality check. They’re hyping a future of “unlocking unstructured data” and “accelerating AI apps at scale” with Astra DB, watsonx, and Apache Cassandra’s open-source cred. It’s the kind of corporate fairy tale that seduces C-suite wallets—until you recall IBM’s knack for turning tech darlings into cosmic debris. As a grizzled critic of IBM’s acquisition slaughterhouse, I’m here to gut the hype and warn you: DataStax is strolling into a buzzsaw, and your tech supply chain could get ...
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Background On May 27, 2025, Salesforce (SFDC) announced its $8 billion acquisition of Informatica, a transformative move that reshapes the enterprise technology landscape. This strategic acquisition bolsters Salesforce’s AI and data management capabilities, positioning it as a dominant player in the $150 billion-plus enterprise data market. For C-suite executives navigating complex technology investments, this deal signals both opportunities and challenges. As the world’s leading provider of cost and value optimization for the enterprise technology supply chain, NET(net) offers a deep dive into the implications of this acquisition and ...
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At NET(net), we’re constantly asked: “Can I terminate my agreement with XYZ Supplier mid-term?” The short answer? It’s tough—but not impossible. As you’ll see in the attached chart, termination rights for enterprise customers with technology vendors fall into one of five categories, as outlined below: Termination for convenience is rare due to vendor resistance, as it undermines revenue stability. TermScout notes 82% of customer forms seek this right, but negotiated contracts often exclude it, especially in SaaS or long-term deals. However, large enterprises with strong leverage (e.g., Fortune 100 companies) may secure this right in some ...
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