--- title: Six More Things You Haven’t Done to Optimize Your Microsoft Costs (why not?) description: What you can do to reduce costs on Microsoft - six critical areas to address asap if you have not already! image: https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/microsoft%20-%20smaller-1.png --- This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [![facebook](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NET_Theme_2025/Vector-1.png?width=24&height=24&name=Vector-1.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netnetweb.com%2Fcontent%2Fblog%2Fsix-more-things-you-havent-done-to-optimize-your-microsoft-costs-why-not) [![Vector](https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/NET_Theme_2025/Vector.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netnetweb.com%2Fcontent%2Fblog%2Fsix-more-things-you-havent-done-to-optimize-your-microsoft-costs-why-not) [![icons8-twitter-24 (1)](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NET_Theme_2025/icons8-twitter-24%20(1).png?width=24&height=24&name=icons8-twitter-24%20(1).png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netnetweb.com%2Fcontent%2Fblog%2Fsix-more-things-you-havent-done-to-optimize-your-microsoft-costs-why-not) [![Group](https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/NET_Theme_2025/Group.svg) ](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20blog%20post:%20Six%20More%20Things%20You%20Haven’t%20Done%20to%20Optimize%20Your%20Microsoft%20Costs%20(why%20not?)&body=https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/six-more-things-you-havent-done-to-optimize-your-microsoft-costs-why-not) ## Six More Things You Haven’t Done to Optimize Your Microsoft Costs (why not?) ![avatar](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/2da9f72b0c6e90ab927b4dcbf5f42d1b) [Scott Braden](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/scott-braden) Jun. 28,2022 *|* [Software, ](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/topic/software) [SaaS, ](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/topic/saas) [Microsoft](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/topic/microsoft) We know. Making a difference can be tough in IT given the multiple layers of bureaucracy, sacred cows, and politics that is ever present in almost every organization. And of course, there are often sound and practical reasons why change is not a good idea, but what is almost always a good idea, is to at least investigate and plan for change. Only in this way are you actually ready (mentally and physically) to propose and follow through with it. So, as you read through the below items, some may sound familiar and or best practices while others could be a fresh initiative to take on that may get you on the path of significantly lowering your costs while improving service. **1 – Investigating….alternatives** You have not spent any time or money at all, (Zero) investigating, testing, or piloting, other platforms besides the standard “fat Windows desktop” that has been the default model for over 30 years now.  Are you even aware of the costs and capabilities of other approaches to supporting end user computing?  Ask yourself this question: “if all of my infrastructure is in the cloud, and all my apps are SaaS delivered via a browser, then why I am I paying all this money to Microsoft for local Windows machines that are the #1 least secure, attack vulnerable, data risking platform, and THEN paying even more money to Microsoft for “security and compliance” add-ons to make them a little bit less unsecure?” You’re probably thinking “Chromebook” and hey, that’s a start at least but by no means is it the finish, and it’s definitely not the “best” solution.  **2 – Audit….yourself** You are not making use of the stuff you are already buying.  All of your users have OneDrive but you’re not enforcing cloud storage over local c: drive storage.  All of your users have Sharepoint but they still send email attachments instead of a quick Teams message link to a file online. You still are paying full price for Office365 for users who don’t even work there anymore.  Why? **3 – Security….blanket** You’re paying for numerous duplicate security solutions, but you claim not to have the resources to figure out what’s duplicate and which ones to stop paying for.  But you’re ok paying Microsoft for their overpriced, under-deliver security and compliance bundle? **4 – Roles….bad actors** You’re delivering the exact same tech stack to every employee, regardless of job role and work requirements.  Tip: frontline customer service people do not need the full functionality of PowerBI and Excel. Or even a Windows PC, for that matter *(see item 1).* **5 – Equipment and Software….bling** You are supplying expensive laptops and “Microsoft365 E5” subscriptions to employees “because that’s what they demand, and we want to be a place that people want to work” instead of saving all that expense and investing in tech that actually affects your employee’s happiness and improves your earnings.  I dare you – do an employee survey about things that make them decide to leave or stay and ask an open-ended question about what they need to be happier and better producers. You won’t get many asking for a laptop with Windows 11 and PowerBI. **6 – Lawyers….or your brother in-law** You are asking IT people to perform high value business negotiations with the wealthiest, most monopolistic supplier in the industry.  Their sales organizations are literally trained to negotiate and meet sales quotas at your expense. - Would you also ask your customer service team to set up a massively parallel SQL cluster to run your core applications?  - If you are getting sued and have to go to court, would you call a lawyer or your brother in-law who also once got sued? Just because he had the same experience, doesn’t mean he knows how to work the system. No... both of those examples would be silly, as neither are trained or equipped for success.   Have an expert handle important, high-value problems.  I know a couple of good ones, [get in touch](mailto:chirst@netnetweb.com) and let’s discuss it. A conversation costs you nothing, but could save you…well, everything. **About NET(net)** Founded in 2002, NET(net) is the world’s leading IT Investment Optimization firm, helping clients find, get, and keep more economic and strategic value in their technology supply chains. With over 2,500 clients around the world in nearly all industries and geographies, and with the experience of over 25,000 field engagements with over 250 technology suppliers in XaaS, Cloud, Hardware, Software, Services, Healthcare, Outsourcing, Infrastructure, Telecommunications, and other areas of IT spend, NET(net) has the expertise you need, the experience you want, and delivers the performance you demand, resulting in incremental client captured value in excess of $250 billion since 2002. Contact us today at [info@netnetweb.com](http://mailto:info@netnetweb.com/), visit us online at [www.netnetweb.com](https://www.netnetweb.com/?hsLang=en-us), 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 relationships. NET(net)’s Website/Blogs/Articles and other content is subject to NET(net)’s [legal terms](https://www.netnetweb.com/legal-notice?hsLang=en-us) offered for general information purposes only, and while NET(net) may offer views and opinions regarding the subject matter, such views and opinions are not intended to malign or disparage any other company or other individual or group.   ### Read similar posts below By [Steven Zolman](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/steven-zolman) - Apr. 18,2025 #### [Microsoft Calling: SPLA Changes Coming Soon](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/microsoft-spla-changes-coming-soon?hsLang=en-us) [READ MORE](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/microsoft-spla-changes-coming-soon?hsLang=en-us) By [Steven Zolman](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/steven-zolman) - May. 28,2024 #### [Are Citrix Subscriptions Burning Customer Bridges?](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/are-citrix-subscriptions-burning-customer-bridges?hsLang=en-us) [READ MORE](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/are-citrix-subscriptions-burning-customer-bridges?hsLang=en-us) By [Tjeerd Edelman](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/tjeerd-edelman) - Aug. 21,2025 #### [Microsoft’s Cynical Pricing Overhaul for Subscription ...](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/microsofts-cynical-pricing-overhaul-for-subscription-agreements?hsLang=en-us) [READ MORE](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/microsofts-cynical-pricing-overhaul-for-subscription-agreements?hsLang=en-us) ![Top12ReasonsWhyHealthcareProvidersPayWAYtOOMuchforIT-2-1](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Top12ReasonsWhyHealthcareProvidersPayWAYtOOMuchforIT-2-1.png?width=350&height=500&name=Top12ReasonsWhyHealthcareProvidersPayWAYtOOMuchforIT-2-1.png) Top 12 Reasons Why: Healthcare Providers Pay WAY TOO Much for IT Download Free PDF ![Top10WaystoDefendYourselffromanOracleAudit-2](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Top10WaystoDefendYourselffromanOracleAudit-2.png?width=350&height=500&name=Top10WaystoDefendYourselffromanOracleAudit-2.png) Top 10 Ways to Defend Yourself from an Oracle Audit Download Free PDF ![SLS5WaysToManageMicrosoft](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SLS5WaysToManageMicrosoft.png?width=350&height=500&name=SLS5WaysToManageMicrosoft.png) SLS 5 Ways To Manage Microsoft Download Free PDF ![Top_7_reasons_Youre_Overpaying _Microsoft - 2017](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Top_7_reasons_Youre_Overpaying%20_Microsoft%20-%202017.png?width=350&height=500&name=Top_7_reasons_Youre_Overpaying%20_Microsoft%20-%202017.png) Top 7 Reasons You’re Overpaying Microsoft – 2017 Download Free PDF ![SupplierLockInRisk](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SupplierLockInRisk.png?width=350&height=500&name=SupplierLockInRisk.png) Supplier Lock In Risk Download Free PDF ![SLSTheComplianceGambit](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SLSTheComplianceGambit.png?width=350&height=500&name=SLSTheComplianceGambit.png) SLS The Compliance Gambit Download Free PDF ![SLSMicrosoftLargeAccountResellers](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SLSMicrosoftLargeAccountResellers.png?width=350&height=500&name=SLSMicrosoftLargeAccountResellers.png) SLS Microsoft Large Account Resellers Download Free PDF ![SLSHiddenFinancialOpportunityinMicrosoft](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SLSHiddenFinancialOpportunityinMicrosoft.png?width=350&height=500&name=SLSHiddenFinancialOpportunityinMicrosoft.png) SLS Hidden Financial Opportunity in Microsoft Download Free PDF ![OverpayingforTelecommunications](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OverpayingforTelecommunications.png?width=350&height=500&name=OverpayingforTelecommunications.png) Overpaying for Telecommunications Download Free PDF ![OutsourcingGovernanceGuidelines](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OutsourcingGovernanceGuidelines.png?width=350&height=500&name=OutsourcingGovernanceGuidelines.png) Outsourcing Governance Guidelines Download Free PDF ![OutsourcingAgreementCrisis](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OutsourcingAgreementCrisis.png?width=350&height=500&name=OutsourcingAgreementCrisis.png) Outsourcing Agreement Crisis Download Free PDF ![OracleThirdPartySupport-1](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OracleThirdPartySupport-1.png?width=350&height=500&name=OracleThirdPartySupport-1.png) Oracle Third Party Support Download Free PDF ![cover-book](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6minded/Case%20Study/cover-book.png?width=223&height=319&name=cover-book.png) The Two Greatest Threats to the Banking Industry - Part I: The Case for the Digital Bank Download Free PDF ![OptimizePersuasiveness](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OptimizePersuasiveness.png?width=350&height=500&name=OptimizePersuasiveness.png) Top 12 Reasons Why: Healthcare Providers Pay WAY TOO Much for IT Download Free PDF ![DCSDisasterRecoveryPlanning-1](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DCSDisasterRecoveryPlanning-1.png?width=350&height=500&name=DCSDisasterRecoveryPlanning-1.png) DCS Disaster Recovery Planning Download Free PDF ![AnInsideLookatSalesforce](https://www.netnetweb.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AnInsideLookatSalesforce.png?width=350&height=500&name=AnInsideLookatSalesforce.png) An Inside Look at Salesforce Download Free PDF ##### MOST POPULAR --- [![image](https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/1645561257960.png) ](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/top-20-mainframe-software-suppliers?hsLang=en-us) ###### [Top 20 Mainframe Software Suppliers](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/top-20-mainframe-software-suppliers?hsLang=en-us) [Steven Zolman](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/steven-zolman) [![image](https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/doors%20and%20options.png) ](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/guide-selecting-the-right-microsoft-lsp-licensing-solution-partner?hsLang=en-us) ###### [Guide: Selecting the Right Microsoft LSP (Licensing Solution Partner)](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/guide-selecting-the-right-microsoft-lsp-licensing-solution-partner?hsLang=en-us) [Scott Braden](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/scott-braden) [![image](https://www.netnetweb.com/hubfs/microsoft%20copilot-2.png) ](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/do-you-really-need-a-microsoft-copilot?hsLang=en-us) ###### [Do You Really Need a Microsoft 'Copilot'?](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/do-you-really-need-a-microsoft-copilot?hsLang=en-us) [Scott Braden](https://www.netnetweb.com/content/blog/author/scott-braden) Companies overpay average 40% on IT services. Do you? [ Learn More ](https://www.netnetweb.com/find-value?hsLang=en-us)