{"id":3020,"date":"2026-01-14T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T07:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/microsoft-continues-to-raise-its-prices-upward\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T09:19:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T07:19:31","slug":"microsoft-continues-to-raise-its-prices-upward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/microsoft-continues-to-raise-its-prices-upward\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft continues to raise its prices &#8211; upward"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"et_pb_section_0 et_pb_section et_section_regular et_flex_section preset--module--divi-section--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row et_flex_row preset--module--divi-row--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_0 et_pb_column et-last-child et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_24_24 et_flex_column_24_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>BLOG | January 14, 2026<\/p>\n<h1>Microsoft continues to raise its prices - upward<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_section_1 et_pb_section et_section_regular et_flex_section preset--module--divi-section--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_1 et_pb_row et_flex_row preset--module--divi-row--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_1 et_pb_column et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_3_24 et_flex_column_3_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_0 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt.webp\" alt=\"Portrait photo of Klaus-Uwe Franke, MLP trainer at LYYNX Lizenzmanagement\" width=\"416\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt.webp 416w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" class=\"wp-image-1340\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_2 et_pb_column et-last-child et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_18_24 et_flex_column_18_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><strong>Uwe Franke<\/strong><br \/>Consultant<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_2 et_pb_row et_flex_row preset--module--divi-row--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_3 et_pb_column et-last-child et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_18_24 et_flex_column_18_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><strong>Licensing costs keep rising - how can you avoid them?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Microsoft has just announced that prices will rise again in the summer of 2026. The announcement was made in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/blog\/2025\/12\/04\/advancing-microsoft-365-new-capabilities-and-pricing-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>blog post<\/u><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>In a nutshell\u2014new AI security and management features, but higher prices!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Key new features:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module lyynx-dreieck-liste preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Copilot Chat<\/strong><\/span><br \/>will be further expanded and deeply integrated into Office apps, including calendar and inbox understanding as well as agent capabilities.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Enhanced security<\/span><br \/>Advanced email protection features are being integrated into Office 365 E3\/Microsoft 365 E3; expanded URL protection is also coming to E1 and Business plans.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>More IT tools<\/strong><\/span><br \/>Additional Intune features for endpoint management (e.g., Remote Help, Advanced Analytics) are coming to E3\/E5.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Security Copilot<\/span><\/strong><br \/>will be embedded into the workflows of security teams and made available to all Microsoft 365 E5 customers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Microsoft emphasizes its ongoing investment in innovation, productivity, and security \u2013 over 1,100 new features in the past year \u2013 and views these updates as the next step toward an AI-powered, secure future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><strong>Copilot Chat<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p> It is already available for free, but is set to be further developed, improved, and expanded, particularly within Office apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.<\/p>\n<p>Most users don\u2019t take advantage of all the features these applications offer \u2013 it\u2019s possible that additional unused features will now be added.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module lyynx-dreieck-liste preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li>Most only use <strong>basic features<\/strong> such as:\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom: 0 !important; padding-bottom: 0 !important;\">\n<li>Simple formulas (SUM, IF, CONCATENATE \u2026)<\/li>\n<li>Sorting\/filtering<\/li>\n<li>Simple formatting<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 0 !important;\">Basic charts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Will it be more expensive in the future, but with AI support?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><strong>Enhanced Security<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 is being integrated into M365E3 \u2013 previously, it was only available in the M365E5 Suite or M365E5 Defender Suite, or as a standalone plan.<\/p>\n<p>It is enabled by default for ALL users in the tenant (according to Microsoft\u2019s product terms, all users must be licensed!!!) \u2013 administrators must then ensure that only licensed users can benefit from this service.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><strong>More IT Tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Intune Remote Help: is enabled at the tenant level and cannot be restricted. <br \/>If the manufacturer has access to the tenant, it can view the enabled services, which could result in additional charges.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t the first time Microsoft has raised prices \u2013 here\u2019s a brief timeline\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_8 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated August 19, 2021 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/de-de\/microsoft-365-fuer-unternehmenskunden-neue-preise-ab-maerz-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Starting March 1, 2022, prices will be updated for the first time in over 10 years \u2013 for Office 365, by 8% to 25%, depending on the product or suite. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated January 5, 2023 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/europe\/2023\/01\/05\/consistent-global-pricing-for-the-microsoft-cloud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Effective April 1, 2023, Microsoft will standardize its prices for cloud products worldwide to ensure consistent pricing and align them with the U.S. dollar.<br \/>\nGoing forward, Microsoft will review this every six months and evaluate it in light of exchange rate fluctuations against the USD. In euro-zone countries, this amounted to a +11% increase.<br \/>\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>No prices have been reduced since then!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated November 12, 2024 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/techcommunity.microsoft.com\/blog\/microsoft_365blog\/flexible-billing-for-microsoft-365-copilot-pricing-updates-for-annual-subscripti\/4288536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Flexible billing for Microsoft 365 Copilot, pricing updates for annual subscriptions and Teams Phone. Effective April 1, 2025, prices for the following products will be adjusted:<br \/>\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>Teams Phone + 5%<br \/>\n<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium + 40%<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated April 12, 2024 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/dynamics-365\/blog\/business-leader\/2024\/04\/12\/new-pricing-for-microsoft-dynamics-365-effective-october-2024-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Dynamics 365 product prices will be \u201cupdated\u201d by +10% effective October 1, 2025. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated August 12, 2025 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/licensing\/news\/online-services-pricing-consistency-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Effective November 1, 2025, prices for online services and subscriptions in price tiers A through D will be standardized \u2013 all set at the Level A price.<br \/>\nFor Level D end customers, contract renewals will result in a new base price that is 13% higher than in the existing contract. <\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This is another step toward phasing out the Enterprise Agreement for the future and \u201cpushing\u201d the Microsoft Customer Agreement (away from contract partners who must undergo additional training and certification \u2013 toward bidding wars in which all Microsoft partners can participate).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated December 4, 2025 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/blog\/2025\/12\/04\/advancing-microsoft-365-new-capabilities-and-pricing-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Effective July 1, 2026 \u2013 updates to the following products \u2013 more features. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Announcement dated December 11, 2025 <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/source\/2025\/12\/11\/local-currency-price-adjustments-for-microsofts-commercial-cloud-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Link<\/u><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Microsoft is CUTTING prices<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Although the currency fluctuation would be about -10%, we\u2019re satisfied with -7.4% in the eurozone \u2013 after all, we don\u2019t want Microsoft to be struggling to survive and possibly start cutting back on investments in the cloud and AI. An adjustment would have been possible \u2013 or even necessary\u2014as early as October 2025, but this delay will certainly satisfy the shareholders once again.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_9 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><strong>Case Study:<\/strong><br \/>The customer has a Level D Enterprise Agreement (15,000 seats or more) with M365E3; some users utilize landline telephony and meeting rooms with Teams; some use Power BI Pro; and Dynamics 365 CRM is in use in the sales department.<br \/>Additional products such as Visio, Project, Exchange Online, or Copilot, as well as infrastructure products (e.g., Windows\/SQL Server), are not included.<br \/>Increases in volume or upgrades to other products (e.g., from M365E3 to M365E5) are also not included.<br \/>A Level D customer certainly does not purchase at list price but receives a discount during contract negotiations; however, this discount has actually been decreasing in recent years, unless the customer purchases what Microsoft wants, in which case higher discounts are possible. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_10 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><div style=\"text-decoration: underline; margin-bottom: 15px;\">\n Prices from the currently valid price lists \u2013 contract renewal every 36 months\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\">\n    <svg viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>Contract start date: July 1, 2020 \u2013 term ends June 30, 2023\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_1 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2020-2023.webp\" alt=\"Table of Microsoft licensing costs from July 2020 to June 2023, totaling approximately \u20ac15.39 million.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2020-2023.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2020-2023-1280x378.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2020-2023-980x289.webp 980w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2020-2023-480x142.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1920px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-1750\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_11 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"><svg viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>Renewal July 1, 2023 \u2013 Term through June 30, 2026  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_2 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2023-2026.webp\" alt=\"Table of Microsoft licensing costs from July 2023 to June 2026, totaling approximately \u20ac18.86 million.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2023-2026.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2023-2026-1280x379.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2023-2026-980x290.webp 980w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2023-2026-480x142.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1920px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-1751\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_12 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\">\n The 3-year contract will cost 22.50% more \u2013 an additional \u20ac 3,464,056.80<br \/>\nTeams Room Standard is no longer available \u2013 the customer must purchase Teams Room Pro (more features) \u2013 even if those features are not needed. <\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\">\n    <svg viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 5px; position: relative; top: 1px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg>Contract start date: July 1, 2020 \u2013 term ends June 30, 2023\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_3 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2026-2029.webp\" alt=\"Table of Microsoft licensing costs from July 2026 to June 2029, totaling approximately \u20ac21.95 million.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2026-2029.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2026-2029-1280x353.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2026-2029-980x271.webp 980w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/microsoft-lizenzkosten-kalkulation-2026-2029-480x133.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1920px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-1752\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_13 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>All features and services remain the same as in the previous contract.<br \/>The 3-year contract will cost 18.00% more \u2013 an additional \u20ac 3,394,864.80<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_0 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_center et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_14 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><strong>Forecast for July 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Over the three contract periods (comparing Contract 1 to Contract 3), an increase of +6,559,833.60 \u20ac \u2192 a 42.60% increase.<\/p>\n<p>In return, meeting room services (Teams Rooms) offer more features and enhanced security in M365E3. More IT tools and AI agents are included in the products and services. <\/p>\n<p>\u2026and we\u2019re supposed to pay almost double for that?<\/p>\n<p>Dear Microsoft, you have good products; they work, and people can get work done with them. <br \/>But perhaps you aren\u2019t aware yet \u2013 there are companies that rely on other technologies or vendors for security and IT tools, for example, and there are also employees within those companies who don\u2019t necessarily need or use AI features in the products.<\/p>\n<p>Dear End Customers, how many more times can you go to the well before the jug breaks? <br \/>Prices are rising across the board \u2013 including software costs!<br \/>Without software, operations simply won\u2019t function\u2014carrier pigeons, clay tablets, and slide rules are a bit out of style. <br \/>What can you do to prevent software costs from rising even further?<\/p>\n<p>Software costs can be effectively reduced on several levels \u2013 organizational, contractual, and technical.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_15 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">1. Create transparency (the foundation for everything)<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Centralized overview of software in use, licenses, and users<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Regular analyses (e.g., using SAM tools like Snow)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Compare purchased licenses with those <strong>actually in use<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">You can\u2019t optimize what you don\u2019t know.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">2. Avoid over-licensing<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Identify and eliminate unused or rarely used licenses<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Downgrade to more affordable editions (e.g., from E5 to E3, where possible)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Role-based licensing instead of \u201cone size fits all\u201d<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">3. Establish Continuous License Management<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Conduct regular reviews instead of one-off actions just before the contract expires<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Prepare for renewals well in advance<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Conduct ongoing compliance checks to avoid back payments<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">4. Actively Negotiate Contracts and Terms<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Bundle volume and negotiate strategically<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Critically evaluate add-on products<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Optimize contract terms, payment models, and discount tiers<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Compare vendor offers and alternatives<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">5. Improve lifecycle management<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Automated onboarding\/offboarding (assigning and revoking licenses)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Immediately reclaim licenses when employees change roles or leave the company<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Use temporary licenses for projects instead of permanent licenses<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">6. Evaluate Alternatives and Standardization<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Evaluate open-source or lower-cost alternative products<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Standardize the application landscape<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Reduce shadow IT<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 40px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight: 500; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 18px; color: var(--lyynx-secondary);\">7. Outsourcing & Leveraging Expert Knowledge<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">External licensing experts for complex vendors (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Reduce internal workload and avoid poor decisions<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 12px;\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"400 -680 200 400\" width=\"9\" height=\"9\" fill=\"#1a2b40\" style=\"flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 6px; margin-right: 12px;\"><path d=\"M400-280v-400l200 200-200 200Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/p>\n<div style=\"line-height: 1.5; font-size: 1rem;\">Predictable costs instead of unexpected additional payments<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_16 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><strong>In short:<\/strong><br \/>\nCosts drop the most where transparency, clear processes, and active management come together. Often, just a few targeted measures are enough to achieve noticeable savings. <\/p>\n<p>Support from external experts during contract negotiations can also save a great deal of money\u2014these experts may have already negotiated or assisted with other contracts with Microsoft and can bring their experience to bear in your negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>These experts can also point out what to look out for regarding Microsoft licensing, as well as the potential impact of product suites on your compliance and any potential additional charges from the vendor (e.g., tenant activation that cannot be restricted). <\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll typically recoup the costs of such a project during contract negotiations\u2014without having to completely overhaul your services or infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_1 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_center et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_17 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><strong>Start now with a no-obligation initial consultation<\/strong> \u2013 and gain clarity on the actual optimization potential of your license portfolio..<\/p>\n<p>Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/newsletter\/\"><u>subscribe to our newsletter now!<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_3 et_pb_row et_flex_row preset--module--divi-row--default\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_4 et_pb_column et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_3_24 et_flex_column_3_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_4 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt.webp\" alt=\"Portrait photo of Klaus-Uwe Franke, MLP trainer at LYYNX Lizenzmanagement\" width=\"416\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt.webp 416w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/klaus-uwe-franke_kontakt-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" class=\"wp-image-1340\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_5 et_pb_column et-last-child et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_18_24 et_flex_column_18_24_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_18 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module preset--module--divi-text--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><b>Uwe Franke<\/b><br \/>Consultant<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyynx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}