Leading managed service provider launches new service to address the costs associated with software sprawl, helping to drive down OpEx as businesses increasingly feel the financial squeeze.
Espria, a leading digital solutions provider, has launched a free M365 Licence Assessment programme to help businesses save costs by reviewing existing licence estates and identifying those licences not in use or no longer being utilised.
With Microsoft recently changing how they sell and structure licenses, businesses must now reassess their current M365 licenses, looking for ways to reduce costs and keep the capabilities they need as they move to new license agreements.
“Our CSP renewal assessment offers business owners valuable insights into the costs associated with their existing estate, shining a light on those licenses no longer in use or never used in the first place,” says Greg Hawthorn, Managing Director at Espria.
“Without an initial resource assessment, it can be difficult to know what you can afford to take away without damaging or massively disrupting your business operations. Phasing out redundant IT licensing, however, might be the key that a lot of financial officers and IT operators are missing when it comes to unnecessary costs for your business that could be tightened up on.”
“Navigating the renewal process requires careful planning and a keen understanding of your current and future needs. Central to this renewal cycle are changes to the current CSP licensing model to the “New Commerce Experience” (NCE). While the new NCE licensing model offers several benefits that can enhance the way your business purchases and uses licenses, undertaking this process to the uninitiated can be time-consuming and complex. This is why Espria, with its long history as an MSP and CSP, is stepping in with this new service.”
Hawthorn highlights that a thorough usage review can be the foundation of effective Microsoft licensing renewal management. “By analysing your current licensing usage to identify underutilised or unused licenses, you can find what to downgrade, redeploy or eliminate to optimise contract spending.”
“These decisions are always driven by data. What are your primary goals, and how can M365 support them on a department-to-department basis? Which users aren’t utilising the software for maximum productivity and thus need additional training or support? Are you being proactive in identifying and reducing bloat software on a timely basis?”
“Examining your company’s IT estate to highlight which licenses are working and what needs to be upgraded is urgent ahead of the national financial shift. A proactive business is a prepared business, and you don’t want to be sinking the ship at the start of the financial year due to poor IT management.
Hawthorn concludes, “Renewing your Microsoft NCE agreement is simple, if you’re confident you have the most cost-effective licenses for your organisation, and of course if you’re confident you’re getting the best pricing on those SKUs. Often, it’s easy to just let the agreement renew, but that doesn’t always get you the best value. The process involves understanding your estate in detail, leveraging our toolset to assess your estate, managing your licenses well, and finding ways to save money. It’s vital to get ahead as the current business landscape and the approaching increases in business taxes such as NIC, won’t wait for your organisation to be ready.
“By partnering with experts, you can ensure your renewal process is smooth and beneficial, avoiding common mistakes. Use your licenses fully and align your renewal strategy with your business.”
To find out more, Visit Espria here.
