Some Microsoft customers are no longer able to renew their Enterprise Agreements. If this impacts your business, this blog explains what’s happening, what you can do – and why Six Degrees is best placed to guide you to your best option.
As of 1st January 2025, some Microsoft customers are no longer able to renew their Enterprise Agreements. This change aims to streamline businesses’ purchasing processes and prioritise subscription services, but it does mean that impacted businesses need to act now to ensure they establish and secure the best go forward option for them.
If this change impacts you, here’s what you need to know.
Your Microsoft Purchasing Options
If you are unable to renew your Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, you should have been notified by Microsoft already. If so, you have two options:
- Move to a Microsoft Customer Agreement for Enterprise (MCA-E). This is best for enterprise customers with more than 3,000 users.
- Move to a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP). This is best for SME customers with between 500 and 3,000 users.
At its most basic, this choice is between maintaining a direct relationship with Microsoft (MCA-E) or engaging with Microsoft through a trusted third party (CSP). But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
Microsoft Customer Agreement for Enterprise Advantages and Disadvantages
Here’s a quick overview table of the advantages and disadvantages of the Microsoft Customer Agreement for Enterprise. Speak to our experts to learn more.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Simplified purchasing and billing – enables larger organisations to engage directly with Microsoft. | Limited price protection – prices can fluctuate during the agreement term. |
| No expiration date – continuous access, with no renewal hassles. | Less volume discounting for smaller businesses – the benefits are geared towards larger enterprises |
| Unified management portal – centralised control over all Microsoft services. | Potential issues for businesses with complex licencing needs – may not accommodate highly specialised or varied requirements, as well as older agreements. |
| Cost management tools – enhanced visibility and control over spending. | No direct Microsoft support – unless you pay for it, which can be costly. Reliance on partners for support can add an extra layer of cost. |
Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Advantages and Disadvantages
Okay, full disclosure – we’re a Microsoft CSP. But in the interests of fairness, here are some advantages – and disadvantages – of working with a Microsoft CSP like us. Again, our experts are ready to help you make the best decision for your business. We promise they’ll be unbiased.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Flexibility – tailored solutions and licensing options to fit specific business needs. | Less suitable for large organisations – may add complexity to procurement compared to direct agreements. |
| Pay-as-you-go pricing – ability to scale costs up or down based on actual usage. | Dependent on picking the right partner – the quality of service varies between CSPs. |
| Dedicated partner support – including escalation to Microsoft Premier Support when appropriate. | |
| Scalability – easily adjust cloud resources to meet changing demands. | |
| Improved customer service – often provides a more responsive and personalised experience than direct support. |
That last disadvantage – picking the right partner – is obviously negated if you make a smart choice. Here’s why we think that smart choice is Six Degrees.
Why Work with Six Degrees as Your Microsoft CSP?
As an Azure Expert MSP, we are here to help you navigate these changes seamlessly. Here’s how we can assist:
- Billing Flexibility. We can work with you to choose the best billing option that suits your financial planning.
- Clarity of One Bill. Microsoft billing can be complex – we simplify this for you and consolidate Azure consumption with optional value add management services.
- Renewal Planning. We can proactively manage your subscription renewals to ensure you benefit from the most cost-effective options available.
- Transition Assistance. For those affected by the Enterprise Agreement changes, we are one of the select Microsoft partners able to guide you through and even perform on your behalf the transition to the MCA-E or CSP programme, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.
- Product Guidance. Our team can provide detailed insights into how these changes can impact your current setup and help you leverage new features and updates to maximise productivity.
What Happens Next?
At Six Degrees we believe we’re best placed to guide you to your best option for moving on from your Enterprise Agreement. Speak to our experts who will help you make the right choice for you.
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