Microsoft software powers the modern workplace — from collaboration and security to analytics and AI. But as Microsoft continues to evolve its licensing models and pricing structures, many organizations are finding that what once made sense financially no longer does.
With new pricing increases, billing penalties, and structural licensing changes taking effect across Microsoft 365, Teams, Power BI, and other platforms, now is the ideal time to take a closer look at how your organization licenses Microsoft software. A Microsoft Software Assessment helps ensure you’re not overspending, under‑licensed, or exposed to compliance risk — while positioning your organization for future growth.
The Growing Complexity of Microsoft Licensing
Microsoft licensing has become increasingly complex over the last several years. Between the introduction of the New Commerce Experience (NCE), decoupling of Teams from core suites, AI add‑ons like Copilot, and multiple billing options, organizations are often left navigating a maze of choices with real financial consequences.
Beginning April 1, 2025, Microsoft implemented a 5% price increase on all annual subscriptions paid monthly, affecting Microsoft 365, Office 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and more. Organizations that choose annual upfront billing avoid this increase, but many businesses unknowingly remain on higher‑cost monthly billing plans.
Additional price increases have impacted key services such as:
- Teams Phone Standard (now $10/user/month)
- Power BI Pro ($14/user/month)
- Power BI Premium Per User ($24/user/month)
These changes apply at renewal and compound quickly at scale.
What Is a Microsoft Software Assessment?
A Microsoft Software Assessment is a private, comprehensive review of your organization’s current Microsoft licensing environment. It evaluates:
- What licenses you own
- How those licenses are actually being used
- Whether they align with your business needs
- Where costs, risks, or inefficiencies exist
The outcome is a clear, actionable roadmap to optimize your Microsoft software portfolio — reducing waste, improving performance, and ensuring compliance.
As outlined in our assessment framework, the goal is simple: improve license utilization, lower expenses, and eliminate unnecessary risk.
Why Organizations Need This Assessment Now
1. Rising Costs Can No Longer Be Ignored
With Microsoft continuing to introduce pricing increases — including another commercial pricing update planned for July 1, 2026 — organizations that fail to optimize licensing will feel the impact year over year.
Many businesses discover during an assessment that they are:
- Paying for licenses assigned to inactive users
- Over‑licensed on premium SKUs that aren’t fully used
- Paying avoidable billing premiums under NCE
2. Compliance and Security Risks Are Increasing
Using outdated licensing models or misaligned configurations can expose organizations to:
- Licensing non‑compliance
- Audit risk
- Gaps in security and governance
A Microsoft Software Assessment identifies these issues early, ensuring your environment aligns with Microsoft’s current licensing terms and security best practices.
3. The Shift to NCE Requires Strategic Decisions
Under NCE, licensing decisions are more rigid. Many subscriptions lock organizations into 12‑month commitments with limited flexibility. Without a clear strategy, small missteps can result in long‑term financial impact.
An assessment ensures you’re choosing the right commitment length, billing model, and SKU mix before renewals occur.
How the Assessment Is Conducted
Our Microsoft Software Assessment is a collaborative and structured process, designed to minimize disruption while delivering maximum value:
- Data Gathering
We collect detailed information on your current licenses, usage patterns, and business requirements. - In‑Depth Analysis
Our specialists evaluate your software inventory against Microsoft’s latest licensing options and best practices. - Custom Recommendations
You receive a tailored roadmap outlining opportunities to optimize cost, performance, and compliance. - Cost Savings Estimation
We quantify potential savings and business benefits tied to our recommendations. - Compliance and Security Review
We identify gaps, risks, and misalignments with Microsoft licensing terms. - Implementation Support
If desired, we help execute the changes and guide you through the transition to an optimized environment.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft licensing is no longer “set it and forget it.” With ongoing pricing increases, evolving product bundles, and stricter commitment terms, organizations must be proactive to stay in control of costs and risk.
A Microsoft Software Assessment gives you clarity — ensuring you have:
- The right licenses
- At the right cost
- Supporting the right business outcomes
If you want to understand how upcoming Microsoft licensing changes will affect your organization — and how to get ahead of them — now is the time to act.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how a Microsoft Software Assessment can help you maximize your Microsoft investment and increase your return on investment.