At NET(net), we’ve spent decades exposing technology suppliers’ tactics—from over-selling to blatant coercion. But Tableau’s latest move under Salesforce is a new low: forcing customers to abandon millions worth of perpetual licenses for a costly SaaS trap. This isn’t business, it’s betrayal. Unfortunately, it echoes our earlier warnings as we revealed how suppliers devalue past investments and create artificial urgency to trap customers. The recent moves by Tableau, now under Salesforce’s umbrella, are a strong reminder of what’s at stake. Their aggressive push to force customers to abandon their perpetual license rights in favor of a ...
Read More
Executive Summary: Microsoft’s impending SPLA restrictions, kicking in on September 30, 2025, are about to shake up the world of service providers and enterprises in ways that could either break or make your business. This blog doesn’t just skim the surface—it dives deep into the chaos these changes will unleash, exposing the risks of sitting on your hands while Microsoft tightens its chokehold on licensing. We’ll shred the myths, expose the pitfalls, and arm you with contrarian strategies like shifting to a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model and embracing Azure ARC agreements. Compliance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s your lifeline to staying ...
Read More
In the ever-shifting landscape of 2025, enterprise IT leaders and CFOs find themselves at a critical juncture. Market uncertainties are swirling like a storm on the horizon—think tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and economic forecasts that sound more like a Magic 8-Ball prediction than a solid plan. A recent CNBC survey from March 25, 2025, revealed that a whopping 95% of CFOs are feeling the heat of policy uncertainty, with many predicting a recession before the year’s end. Meanwhile, the U.S. stock market is teetering on the edge, as Forbes warned on March 1, 2025, citing multiple risk factors that could send investors running for cover. ...
Read More
European companies may face a dual challenge as the U.S. seemingly shifts its strategic focus, which may necessitate measures to assess risk and potentially reduce reliance on American based technology firms. The new US administration has signaled an increasing prioritization of its own domestic manufacturing, which has increased the specter of raising tariffs on EU goods like automobiles and machinery to shrink its $200 billion goods deficit - while simultaneously redirecting resources to counter China’s economic and political challenges across the globe. This pivot may leave EU firms exposed, as the US has signaled it can’t indefinitely ...
Read More
The AI hype is hitting IT leaders, particularly CIOs, like a relentless sales pitch that won’t quit, and it’s driving them up the wall in 2025. IT suppliers are plastering “AI-powered” or “intelligent” on every product from cloud platforms, security tools, even basic infrastructure - promising game-changing efficiency, predictive insights, or automation that’ll slash headcount. But when CIOs get these tools in hand, reality often feels like a bait-and-switch, and that gap between expectation and delivery is where the irritation starts. One big issue is the lack of tangible value. IT suppliers hype AI as a magic bullet - say, an ERP system ...
Read More
APs (application providers) rely on customer retention and satisfaction. Persistent, coordinated pressure from end-users - especially when tied to cost, compliance risks, and competitive positioning - can force them to adapt. The Java ecosystem’s shift toward open-source runtimes (accelerated since Oracle’s 2023 pricing change) gives users leverage, as APs risk losing relevance if they cling to an outdated model. Now is the time to leverage Aps to accelerate the breaking of Java’s monopoly. Navigating the Java Licensing Landscape: A Shift Towards Cost-Effective Solutions In the dynamic landscape of enterprise technology, navigating the ...
Read More
Good news! As expected, SAP has extended its support for ECC for at least another 6 years. As with all things SAP - buyers are well advised to beware. SAP plans to offer... SAP ERP - Private Edition - Transition Option The new offering, which won’t be available for purchase until 2028, entails moving the hosting of legacy ECC deployments to SAP hosting. Setting aside the complexities associated with changing hosting providers and SAP’s prior failures as a hosting provider for its software for customers, SAP’s option will undoubtedly be a premium cost for an inferior product based upon its customers’ prior experience. What the above ...
Read More
Cybersecurity Threats and Ransomware Attacks: A Growing Menace Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe ...
Read More
Revolution or Obsolescence: Tech Vendors Are Redefining Industry Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe ...
Read More
Workday Sentiment Analysis Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe to more expensive levels that offer ...
Read More
