EA to MCA Legal Terms and Strategy

• Microsoft plans to gradually move Enterprise Agreement customers to the Microsoft Customer Agreement.
• Large customers will have to review their entire Microsoft relationship, set a strategy, and get backing from the CIO and other senior leaders.
• In-house counsel will have to assess the new agreement, and then review changes multiple times a year.
• Even Enterprise Agreement veterans may need outside help for the transition.

Microsoft is gradually phasing out the traditional Enterprise Agreement (EA)  that most customers use for volume purchasing. Replacement programs all depend on the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA), whose legal terms present challenges to customers coming from the EA.  IT asset managers and purchasing professionals will need to review the entire Microsoft relationship, plan a transition strategy, and obtain support from the CIO and other senior managers. They will have to work closely with corporate legal counsel to understand how the MCA will affect the organization, and to address ongoing changes in the agreement itself. Outside advisors can help this process by focusing on the most important parts of the MCA and their impact.