Procurement & Licensing

Azure NetApp Files NAS Service Targets Large-Scale Use Updated: June 28, 2025 The new Azure NetApp Flexible Tier could help with large-scale lift-and-shift scenarios. Throughput is priced...more New! Migrating from VMware? Look Before You Leap Updated: June 28, 2025 Microsoft has several alternatives to VMware for on-premises server virtualization. Hyper-V is mature and runs...more Services Increasingly Expanding Beyond Microsoft 365 Suites Updated: June 17, 2025 New tiers of several Microsoft 365 core services are quite expensive and are not available...more Identity Manager: Start Planning Replacement Options Now Updated: June 13, 2025 Microsoft Identity Manager is set for retirement in 2029, and no direct replacement is expected....more Intune Premium License Tiers Still Not Worth It Updated: June 13, 2025 Two premium Intune tiers are now available, along with multiple à la carte features. Intune...more Microsoft Entra: The Collected Services Updated: May 27, 2025 Entra is a family of services to help organizations manage identities and access to resources....more Microsoft 365 Government: What’s in the Box? Updated: May 11, 2025 Microsoft 365 Government offers better regulatory compliance for U.S. governmental organizations than Microsoft 365 commercial...more Dynamics 365 Compliance Change: Avoid the August 2025 Lock Out April 28, 2025 Dynamics 365 ERP is implementing a new compliance check to ensure users have a valid...more Azure Files Improves Performance, Syncing, and Pricing Flexibility April 20, 2025 Azure Files has gained meaningful speed improvements, particularly when accessing small files. File Sync improvements...more Security Services Roadmap April 18, 2025 A range of Microsoft-hosted security services are available to help organizations secure their infrastructure and...more Understanding Pricing: Consumption Versus Capacity April 10, 2025 For customers accustomed to on-premises licensing, aspects of Microsoft’s cloud pricing models can feel unfamiliar....more Skype for Business Server SE: Subscriptions and a Short Migration Window Updated: March 11, 2025 Microsoft announced in June 2024 that Skype for Business Server SE is planned for general...more Transitioning Microsoft 365 from an EA to an MCA Updated: March 11, 2025 Enterprise Agreement customers transitioning to Microsoft Customer Agreements will have to reassess how they license...more Migrating from Power BI Premium P to Fabric: Our Guidance March 10, 2025 Most Power BI Premium P customers must migrate to Fabric at their next licensing renewal....more Demystifying Microsoft’s Copilots Updated: March 7, 2025 Copilot-branded technologies from Microsoft assist users in completing tasks, but Microsoft overstates ROI. Almost all...more Windows Server Endpoint Protection Options (2025) Updated: March 1, 2025 Endpoint protection for Windows Server requires layers of services that differ dramatically in terms of...more

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plans Updated: March 1, 2025 Available Azure Reservations Updated: February 16, 2025 Microsoft Defender for Servers Plans Updated: January 6, 2025

  Licensing Reference Core CAL Suite Timeline Outlines major changes to the Core CAL Suite’s content and pricing.   Licensing Reference Enterprise CAL Suite Timeline Outlines major changes to the Enterprise CAL Suite’s content and pricing.   Licensing Reference Product Terms The main repository for rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs and by...more   Licensing Reference Office 365 Service Description Frequently updated technical documents outlining features in Microsoft 365 Enterprise and Office 365 Enterprise suites...more   Licensing Reference Mainstream Support A five-year period, beginning at the point a new version of a software product becomes...more   Licensing Reference Extended Support A multi-year period following Mainstream Support where customers receive free security updates for a software...more   Licensing Reference Servicing Model Used to describe a schedule for how frequently new versions of on-premises product software will...more   Licensing Reference Service Description Frequently updated technical documents outlining features in Microsoft 365 Enterprise and Office 365 Enterprise suites...more   Licensing Reference Data Protection Addendum A document typically updated once or twice a year that outlines Microsoft’s obligations related to...more   Licensing Reference Microsoft 365 Comparison Table PDF document updated monthly that lists the components/features included in the various Microsoft 365 suites...more   Licensing Reference VDA User SL A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to access Windows Client OSs running within...more   Licensing Reference VDA A Per-User or Per-Device subscription that licenses access to Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted...more   Licensing Reference VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows...more   Licensing Reference Windows Enterprise The highest (most feature-laden) edition of the Windows client OS; distributed exclusively through volume licensing...more   Licensing Reference Windows Enterprise Per Device Per-Device licenses that provide the right to install and run Windows Enterprise edition on the...more   Licensing Reference Windows Enterprise SA Benefits Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Windows Enterprise and VDA licenses, organized by...more

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