Microsoft Enterprise Support Options.
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The 3 Primary Microsoft Enterprise Support Options
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Considerations Before Making a Change
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Questions to Ask Alternative Vendors
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Suggested Next Steps
Why Organizations Must Read the Enterprise Support eBook
Our primary mission is to help companies get the most out of their Microsoft software. And for some, Microsoft Enterprise Support is still the right fit.
But with Unified Support straining many IT budgets, it’s imperative to understand all the choices available.
Microsoft Enterprise 3 Year Support Cost Forecast
If you are accelerating Microsoft 365 or Azure adoption, your Microsoft Enterprise Support pricing may see substantial increases in years two and three.
Enterprises should do a 3 year forecast to fully understand their Microsoft Unified costs and avoid surprises.
Microsoft Enterprise Support Guide to Negotiating
Start negotiating and evaluating alternatives at least 90 days prior to your enterprise MS Support renewal.
Here is the Guide’s shortlist for negotiating Unified with Microsoft:
- 3 year forecast
- license-only penalty
- hidden fees
- check the math and itemize
- press on security
Guide to Microsoft Enterprise Support Alternatives
Options for a new Microsoft support direction at your enterprise do exist.
Currently there are 3 alternatives to MS Unified:
- Microsoft SAB support and Professional incidents
- Independent 3rd party providers
- Large system integrators
What Questions Should I Be Asking?
There are over 20 questions you need to ask when looking at options for Microsoft Enterprise Support. Here are the top 3:
Can you fully eliminate our MSFT Premier or Unified Support contract?
What are typical savings that I should expect in year 1? Years 2 & 3?
What percentage of revenue comes from MSFT problem resolution support?
Guided Microsoft Enterprise Support Transition
You can and should exchange your SAB incidents in order to reduce your enterprise MS Support bill. They play a particularly impactful role during the first year of moving from Premier to Unified Support, softening the blow of the initial price increase. That often just pushes pain out into year 2, but it can buy time to evaluate options.
Don't Negotiate Blind with Microsoft
91% of the time, enterprises that bring a US Cloud estimate to Microsoft, see immediate discounts and faster concessions.