The Microsoft Licensing Optimization Playbook

How to Cut Costs, Reduce Risk, and Take Control of Your EA & Microsoft 365 Renewals

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A Practical Playbook for IT, Finance, Procurement, and Security Leaders

Take control of your Microsoft licensing and renewal strategy.

For modern enterprises, Microsoft licensing is one of the largest — and most complex — technology investments. Between Microsoft 365, Azure, Enterprise Agreements (EA), and the shift to the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA), licensing decisions now impact cost, risk, security, and operational agility across the business.

Yet many organizations don't have a clear Microsoft licensing strategy.

Without a clear plan, ownership, and cross-functional alignment, licensing becomes a reactive exercise spread across IT, Procurement, Finance, Security, and Legal. The result? Over-licensed E5 environments, unused Azure commitments, duplicate security tools, fragmented billing, contractual blind spots, and millions in preventable overspend every renewal cycle.

This playbook gives modern workplace leaders a clear, data-driven roadmap to optimize Microsoft 365 and Azure spend, reduce contractual and security risks, and approach EA and MCA renewals with confidence instead of urgency or defeat.

You’ll learn how to uncover hidden waste, align licensing to real user personas, govern Azure consumption, and negotiate from a position of strength using accurate usage and cost data.

Your next Microsoft renewal doesn’t have to be a fire drill, and you don't just have to accept Microsoft's recommendations if they don't make sense for your business. All you need is a strategy. Fill out the form to get the blueprint! 
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What You’ll Learn in the Microsoft Licensing Playbook

  • Identify and eliminate hidden Microsoft 365 and Azure overspend
  • Right-size E3/E5 licensing based on real user needs and usage
  • Uncover Azure waste and optimize commitments, reservations, and benefits
  • Avoid costly EA and MCA contract and renewal pitfalls
  • Align IT, Finance, Procurement, Security, and Legal around a single licensing strategy
  • Use accurate data to negotiate renewals with confidence and control

Who Needs this Microsoft License Optimization Playbook? 

  • IT & Security Leaders – Reduce risk and ensure users have the right licenses without over-provisioning

  • Procurement & Finance Teams – Control costs, forecast spend, and negotiate EA and MCA renewals with confidence

  • Legal Stakeholders – Avoid contractual pitfalls, true-down risk, and compliance exposure

  • Executives – Gain visibility into Microsoft spend and turn renewals into a strategic advantage

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Take Control of Your Microsoft Licensing Strategy

Download the Microsoft Licensing Optimization Playbook to uncover hidden Microsoft 365 and Azure overspend, reduce contractual risk, and approach your next EA or MCA renewal with confidence.

👉 Get the Playbook and Start Optimizing Today

 

Meet the Author:

Nikki Vijeh_TheITStrategist

Nikki Vijeh

Global Head of Cloud Enablement, The IT Strategists

Nikki Vijeh has spent the past 15 years helping organizations navigate the complexities of licensing, cloud strategy, and FinOps. She has built and led Microsoft and Cloud Optimization practices, delivering innovative solutions that simplify operations and maximize business value.

A proven IT services leader, Nikki has played a pivotal role in forming high-impact technology partnerships and driving sustainable growth. She works closely with partners and enterprise customers to optimize IT investments, negotiate favorable contracts, and align cloud adoption with financial accountability. Her strategic insight, hands-on expertise, and customer-first approach have helped organizations save millions in IT spend while building more efficient and scalable technology.