Renewals & Cost Optimization
Software cost optimization means paying only for the licenses an organization uses and needs. Articles here cover renewal preparation and triage, finding and reharvesting shelfware, rightsizing subscriptions, vendor negotiation, third-party support as an alternative to vendor maintenance, and the second-hand license market. They are written for SAM, procurement and finance teams who need a defensible number before a renewal date or a budget cycle.
Microsoft 365 E3/E5 Optimization: Clean Up Before E7 Lands
Microsoft just announced the biggest licensing change to its enterprise stack since 2015. Microsoft 365…
Why Shrinking VMware Usage Can Raise Your Unit Price
Virtified found 48% of VMware customers plan to cut usage by 2028. VCF bundling, the 8.x support clock, and why a shrink is not last year’s unit price.
Why Adobe Cancellation Fees Are Not Your Exit Cost
UK CMA opened a consumer probe into Adobe early-termination fees. No finding yet. What SAM should lock in on Creative Cloud and VIP Marketplace paper.
Software Price Increases 2025 – 2026
The enterprise software landscape in 2025 and 2026 continues to experience aggressive price increases that…
What Executives Actually Need From SAM During Renewal Negotiations
Renewal negotiations tend to expose uncomfortable truths about how software asset management actually works inside…
The Hidden Cost of Waiting for SAM Reports During Renewals
When the Clock Runs Out Before the Data Arrives Your enterprise renewal deadline is three…
The Modern Guide to AI-Powered Software Rationalization
In the digital-first economy of 2026, software isn’t just a tool; it’s the engine of…
How 🔵 NEO Automates Vendor Consolidation (The ‘Rule of One’)
In the world of enterprise software, complexity is the enemy of efficiency. When your teams…
Why Oracle Java Still Prices Your Headcount, Not Installs
Azul’s 2026 survey finds 92% concerned about Oracle Java pricing. The metric is employees, not installs. The number SAM should walk in with.
A Deep Dive into NEO’s Red Hat Enterprise Linux Optimization Report
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is the backbone of modern enterprise IT, prized for its…
A Deep Dive into NEO’s Oracle DB Optimization Report
Oracle databases are the powerful, reliable workhorses of the enterprise, but they are also a…
The Spreadsheet That Runs Your Multi-Million Dollar Renewal
Somewhere in your organization, there is a spreadsheet. It is probably named something like Vendor_Renewal_Tracking_v27_final_FINAL.xlsx.…
Why Your VMware CSP Invoice Is Not the Renewal Path
Broadcom closed the VMware CSP program after 26 January 2026. Coterminous is not a new commitment. Who can still sell, and what SAM should lock.
What SAM Should Lock Before a Salesforce AELA Renewal
Gartner says Salesforce AELAs may convert to defined quantity at renewal. Lock exit terms, multipliers, and a usage-to-quantity method in writing.
The Hidden Cost of VMware Perpetual Support With No Path
Tesco’s 2021 VMware deal still has no named support path. Dell, Computacenter, and Broadcom each tell a different story. What SAM should lock first.
Software Rationalization Playbook
Why Software Rationalization Breaks Down at Enterprise Scale Software rationalization does not fail due to…
Oracle Java: Renewal or Replacement?
The parent pack is the Oracle Java SE subscription cost page: published bands, Employee definition,…
The Cost of Unsupported OpenJDK in Financial Infrastructure
For twenty years, the global financial ecosystem has been constructed on the foundation of Java.…
Microsoft’s Pricing Changes for Online Services: What You Need to Know
On August 12, 2025, Microsoft unveiled a significant change to its pricing model for Online…
The Rising Tide of Linux on Business Desktops
According to Lansweeper, Linux usage on enterprise endpoints (desktops and laptops) rose from 1.6% in…