West Northamptonshire Council’s Saves £1 Million on Microsoft in Post-Merger License Consolidation

In an era of tightening public sector budgets, a £1 million saving is a significant victory for taxpayers. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has achieved just that, securing approximately $1.25 million USD in savings through a renewed and consolidated software licensing agreement with Microsoft.¹ This achievement is more than just a successful negotiation; it is a…

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A New Deal for Europe: Microsoft Unveils Consumption-Based Licensing for Windows Server

Microsoft has announced a significant change to its licensing model for Windows Server in Europe, introducing a new “Cloud-Optimized” option that allows local cloud providers to offer the ubiquitous operating system on a pay-as-you-go basis.² This move, which directly addresses long-standing complaints of anti-competitive behavior, is a major concession aimed at leveling the playing field…

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A Final Reprieve: Microsoft Announces Paid Extended Security Updates for Exchange and Skype Servers

Microsoft has officially announced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a six-month window of continued security patches beyond the products’ end-of-support date. The move is a direct response to customer feedback, providing a crucial, albeit temporary, lifeline for organizations that are in the process of migrating but…

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Microsoft’s Concessions to European Cloud Providers: A Stalling Tactic or a Step to Fair Competition?

A recent agreement between Microsoft and Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) has brought a new chapter to the long-running saga of antitrust scrutiny faced by the software giant in the region.[2] After a formal complaint was filed in November 2022, Microsoft has offered a series of concessions aimed at appeasing European cloud providers…

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Day of Reckoning for the Channel: Microsoft’s ‘Great Squeeze’ Hits, Forcing Industry-Wide Reinvention

The theoretical impact of Microsoft’s strategic overhaul of its Enterprise Agreement (EA) program has finally materialized with brutal clarity. In a stark announcement, London-listed Bytes Technology Group (BTG) revealed its profits are being hit hard, causing its shares to plummet by more than 25%.¹ While the company cited a “challenging macroeconomic environment” leading to deferred…

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Microsoft System Center 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Microsoft System Center 2025 represents a significant evolution in datacenter management, building upon the solid foundation established by System Center 2022 while introducing enhanced security, modernization capabilities, and Azure integration features. Released on November 6, 2024, System Center 2025 delivers infrastructure modernization and enhanced security to help organizations manage complex IT environments more effectively [1].…

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Microsoft SQL Server 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Microsoft’s SQL Server 2025 represents a transformative leap in database technology, positioning itself as the premier AI-ready enterprise database platform. With groundbreaking vector data types, enhanced cloud integration, and substantial performance improvements, SQL Server 2025 builds upon the solid foundation established by SQL Server 2022 while introducing capabilities that enable modern AI-powered applications [1]. This…

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Windows Server 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Windows Server 2022 vs 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison of Features, Licensing, and Pricing Microsoft’s Windows Server 2025 introduces significant enhancements over Windows Server 2022, with modernized features, enhanced security, and updated pricing structures. This comparison examines the key differences to help organizations make informed infrastructure decisions. New Features in Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 2025…

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Microsoft’s D365 F&SCM License Enforcement Deadline: 1 November 2025

The countdown has begun for one of the most significant changes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (F&SCM) licensing history. Beginning November 1, 2025, Microsoft will enforce strict license compliance across all D365 F&SCM applications, marking the end of the “honor system” that has allowed organizations to operate with more users than…

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Denmark’s Digital Declaration of Independence: A Growing European Revolt Against Big Tech Dependency

In a move that signals a seismic shift in how European governments approach digital infrastructure, Denmark has announced its intention to phase out Microsoft Office and Windows in favor of LibreOffice and Linux across its public sector. This decision, announced by Denmark’s Minister of Digitalization Caroline Stage in June 2025, represents far more than a…

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Microsoft Faces Multibillion-Pound Legal Challenge Over Software Licensing Practices

Microsoft Corporation, the world’s largest software company, is confronting one of the most significant legal challenges in its recent history as a multibillion-pound class action lawsuit has been filed against the tech giant in the United Kingdom. The case, which could potentially affect millions of UK consumers, businesses, and public bodies, centers on allegations that…

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Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Licensing Guide

This comprehensive guide is designed to help IT professionals, system administrators, and procurement specialists understand the licensing model for Windows Server 2025. Proper licensing is essential for compliance, cost optimization, and ensuring your organization has the right capabilities to meet its business needs. Windows Server 2025 is Microsoft’s cloud-ready operating system that enables organizations to…

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Microsoft System Center 2025 Licensing Guide

Microsoft System Center 2025 represents the latest evolution in Microsoft’s comprehensive datacenter management solution. It provides organizations with powerful tools for monitoring, automating, and provisioning their software-defined datacenter infrastructure. The solution enhances productivity and security through seamless integration with Azure security, backup, and log analytics tools. System Center 2025 continues Microsoft’s commitment to providing robust…

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Is Microsoft’s Licensing Model Fueling Security Risks?

Microsoft’s recent security issue, aptly dubbed “BadSuccessor”, highlights deeper concerns within the software giant’s approach—not just to security, but to licensing and market dominance as well. Specifically, the exploitation of default Managed Service Accounts (dMSA) to escalate privileges within Active Directory underscores a broader issue: how Microsoft’s licensing and product strategy can inadvertently introduce significant security…

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Microsoft’s EU Antitrust Case Nears Resolution: EU Commission seeks feedback on remedy proposals

The European Commission (EC) is currently evaluating public feedback on Microsoft’s proposed commitments to address antitrust concerns related to the bundling of its Teams collaboration tool with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites. This development follows a formal investigation initiated in July 2023, prompted by complaints from Slack Technologies and Alfaview GmbH, alleging that Microsoft’s…

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Microsoft Faces Major UK Class Action Over Software Licensing Practices

Microsoft is under legal scrutiny in the UK, facing one of the country’s largest class action lawsuits concerning its software licensing strategies. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft has abused its market dominance by imposing restrictive licensing practices, leading to inflated prices for consumers and businesses.  Allegations of Market Abuse The core of the lawsuit centers…

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Microsoft’s New European Cloud Commitments: A Turning Point for Licensing and Digital Sovereignty

On April 30, 2025, Microsoft announced a set of updated commitments designed to address European concerns around digital sovereignty, fair competition, and cloud market dynamics. Titled the “European Cloud Principles” and framed within a broader “European Cloud Customer Commitment,” the move responds to growing regulatory scrutiny across the EU and attempts to align more closely…

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US Federal CIO Mandates Software License Inventory: What It Means for SAM and Why It Matters Now

In a significant move to enhance software asset management (SAM) across U.S. federal agencies, newly appointed Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia has mandated a comprehensive inventory of software licenses. By April 2, 2025, agency CIOs are required to report all licenses held with the government’s top five software vendors: Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce, Oracle, and ServiceNow. This…

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Upcoming Price Increase and Changes to Microsoft On-Prem Server Licensing

Microsoft has announced significant licensing and pricing changes for its on-premises server products, effective July 1, 2025. These updates will impact organizations relying on Exchange Server, Skype for Business Server, and SharePoint Server. As the software asset management (SAM) landscape evolves, understanding these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and optimizing costs.  What’s Changing? 1.…

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