SAMexpert - Microsoft Licensing and FinOps

While Microsoft appoints auditors to be independent, they have to side with Microsoft due to financial ties. Don't hesitate to speak up if you disagree with their interpretation of the rules or findings. You have the right to request that your notes, inputs, and disagreements be included in the final report submitted to Microsoft. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement 👉 Find us here: https://samexpert.com/

Should you renew the SPLA License Mobility Addendum? Don't. And here is why. Thanks to the introduction of the Flexible Virtualization Benefit, end clients can take any licenses on a subscription or with active Software Assurance and use them with any service provider. There's no need to confirm if the provider is a License Mobility Partner. DM us of you are a Service Provider and you have questions about SPLA, CSP-Hosting, or audits. Very few can compete with support we provide. Ask around. https://lnkd.in/eEhj4ubx

Even after receiving the final audit report, there's still room to negotiate penalties, pricing, and auditor fees. The key is to tell your story effectively. This doesn't mean fabricating a narrative. Instead, build a compelling case based on facts and evidence. Microsoft can easily spot a fabricated story, so focus on presenting your situation truthfully. To create a strong narrative, start with the facts and then add context and details to make it resonate. Ensure your story is verifiable and supported by evidence. With a well-crafted story, you can secure concessions, even if your non-compliance level is over the 5% threshold. This can include negotiating lower penalties or even auditor fees. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement 👉 Find us here: https://samexpert.com/

Do you want to be among the first to know when something important happens in the Microsoft Licensing and Cloud world? And not only that. As a consulting company, not a news agency, we always explain how it affects you, your business, and your budgets. You can always follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube, but nothing beats good old email. It does not succumb to social media algorithms "clever enough" to show only what they want you to see. Subscribe here and never miss a bit: https://zcmp.eu/NsBb

"Microsoft owns the audit timeline". In their dreams. The only audit time constraints you contractually agreed to: – Begin the audit in the 30 days after receiving the notice letter – Sign an NDA in 14 days – After the audit, pay the bill in 30 days (if there is a bill) – Provide the data "timely" – let your legal challenge ambiguous definitions Do this: 1. Read the contract. 2. Own your audit timeline. 3. Don't let them intimidate you. DM us if you feel bullied or treated unfairly in an audit. #samexpert

An audit notice hits your desk. It’s big. It’s scary. It’s more than you can afford. What next? Fight it alone? Recruit? Use your Microsoft partner? Or hire a company that has negotiated hundreds of Microsoft audits and avoided over $1.5 BILLION in audit fees? (And offers a 5:1 ROI guarantee) For over 10 years, SAMexpert has been defending cloud providers against Microsoft. And we can help you too. To start, DM me now. Or, to see our other services, visit https://samexpert.com/

Software Assurance is NOT: — "Support" — "Maintenance" — "Upgrade right" Software Assurance is an add-on subscription license. Look at the image. There are NOT "benefits". These are usage rights granted only with Software Assurance. For many, they are business-critical. Why are we posting this? Every week we hear from a confused procurement person: "We'll cancel Software Assurance and keep perpetual licenses." Unfortunately, you are not "cancelling Software Assurance". You are giving up usage rights granted via subscription add-on licenses. Here are the consequences if you cancel SA: — No Bring Your Own License, no Azure Hybrid Benefit = more expensive Cloud — No remote desktops for "Work from home" — No discounted edition upgrades (Step-Ups) = more expensive upgrades — And more 99% of organisations would instantly become non-compliant if they cancel SA. #Microsoft pulled a very clever trick. Again.

Calculating Windows Server licenses in Azure starts with a minimum of 8 cores assigned to each virtual machine (VM). The previous requirement of a minimum of 16 licenses per client has been removed. If your VM requires more than 8 cores, you can now assign licenses in increments of 2 cores. For example, a 10-core VM can be assigned 10 licenses. In CSP, licenses are still sold in 8-core packs, but these packs can be split. For instance, if you're running two 12-core VMs, you can assign three 8-core packs to cover the total 24 cores. The edition of the Windows Server license in Azure doesn't matter, as there are no multipliers or dividers. The rules are the same for all editions, regardless of the edition running on the VM. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement 👉 Find us here: https://samexpert.com/

In SPLA audits, a common pitfall is misinterpreting the audit scope, often leading to the erroneous inclusion of non-hosting environments as SPLA debt. Or, in simple words: 1. You accidentally provide the auditor data from a non-hosting environment, 2. They include it in the calculation, 3. The result is that your "SPLA debt" to Microsoft is unreasonably inflated. Can you correct it later? We have seen tens of audits when it was easy. We have also seen cases when the auditor would stubbornly resist it. 1. Involve Microsoft: In cases of auditor inflexibility, escalating the matter to Microsoft can help. 2. Assertive Communication: Maintaining a firm stance in communications with auditors is vital. Clearly articulate the reasons why the non-hosting cluster is outside the SPLA scope, providing evidence and documentation to support your claim. 3. Internal Audits and Preparation: To prevent such scenarios, conduct thorough internal audits and preparations before engaging with external auditors. This includes defining and documenting the scope of SPLA services and ensuring that only relevant data is shared. 4. Legal and Compliance Expertise: Engage with legal and compliance experts who understand the nuances of SPLA agreements and can provide strategic advice on dealing with auditors and Microsoft. Remember, effective communication and thorough preparation are your best tools in ensuring that your SPLA audits are fair, accurate, and reflective of your actual service scope. As always, if you want to discuss your SPLA Audit questions, we are just one message away. #microsoft #cloud #compliance #samexpert https://zurl.co/KFSr

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement: All you need to know. Written by humans, experts with 20 years in EA negotiations. Use it for your DIY Enterprise Agreement renewal or DM us for support. https://lnkd.in/e8GGCj4E