Brief: Rethink Your Microsoft Licensing Strategy

Sourcing professionals who are considering renewing or signing a Microsoft enterprise agreement (EA) in the next few months need to re-evaluate their plans, now that Microsoft has fundamentally changed the value of its software assurance (SA) program as far as Office is concerned. This report explains how Microsoft's pivot toward subscription licensing of its flagship Office product under the Office 365 brand affects customers who signed enterprise agreements (EA) between 2011 and 2013, and what those customers should now do as a result. It also helps sourcing professionals whose firms are considering an Office upgrade in the next two or three years to evaluate the licensing options now available.