As businesses around the globe face the unprecedented economic fallout of the current recession, many have had to shift their focus to cutting costs and limiting expenditure. One of the most significant areas of budgeting for many organisations is their Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) renewal. This is especially true as digital transformation strategies have shifted during the pandemic, and cloud spending is predicted to take a significant hit in the coming months.
When you are approaching the time to renew your EA with Microsoft, it is essential to approach the process strategically. Your relationship with Microsoft is a two-way street; not only does Microsoft provide software, services and support to its customers, but customers also provide Microsoft with valuable feedback and insights that help to drive innovation and shape the future of technology.
Organisations looking to secure the best possible deal from their EA renewal should know that Microsoft may offer fewer, smaller discounts than in previous years. This is due to the current economic climate and the fact that Microsoft is facing their own financial pressures. Nevertheless, you should not be afraid to negotiate with Microsoft to get the best deal possible.
Look to leverage the relationship you have built with Microsoft over the years. Use it to your advantage when negotiating the terms of your EA renewal. In addition to commercial relationship and digital transformation roadmap collaboration, this could include offering a case study for a Microsoft product or service or collaborating with Microsoft on a joint marketing campaign.
Finally, you should know that the EA renewal process can be complex and time-consuming. You should ensure you have a dedicated team to manage the process. This team should be familiar with the terms and conditions of the EA and should be able to negotiate with Microsoft on behalf of the organisation.
In conclusion, renewing an EA with Microsoft can be daunting in the current economic climate. However, you should not hesitate to negotiate with Microsoft to get the best possible deal. By leveraging your relationship with Microsoft and having a dedicated team to manage the process, you can ensure you get the most out of your EA renewal.
A guest post from SAMexpert – Independent Microsoft Advice