Software licensing, procurement, and vendor negotiations are only getting more complex. From Microsoft’s latest contract changes to SAP’s push toward RISE, Oracle’s evolving Java strategy, IBM’s complex licensing metrics, and the rise of AI pricing models. IT leaders are facing questions they can’t afford to get wrong. 

That’s why we created Assist: fast, independent access to the right experts for your toughest IT procurement and licensing challenges. Clear, trusted guidance from consultants who’ve been on both sides of the table, available exactly when you need it. 

Here are the 5 questions we’re asked most often in today’s climate and how Assist helps you reach the people who can answer them. 

1. Microsoft 

Q: With Microsoft removing price pooling and rebates, how will my Enterprise Agreement renewal costs change and what alternatives exist? 

A: Expect higher renewal prices, particularly for cloud subscriptions (M365, Dynamics). Many organizations are exploring the Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) route for greater flexibility and potential savings.  

Benchmarking the proposed deal is critical before deciding on the best option for your business. To do this effectively, conduct a thorough license review to ensure any potential risks and/or overspend are clearly identified. This creates a baseline from which to benchmark against comparable organizations. 

If you lack reliable comparison data, independent licensing specialists can provide market insight drawn from multiple recent deals, helping you negotiate from a position of strength and avoid unnecessary cost escalation. 

Assist connects you directly with Microsoft licensing consultants who can benchmark your position, validate renewal options, and explore the most cost-effective route forward. 

2. SAP 

Q: What are the hidden risks of moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private (RISE), and how can I compare costs versus staying on-premise or transitioning? 

A: Cloud ERP Private bundles services but limits flexibility and often creates “all-in” dependencies. To make an informed decision, model your current entitlements, infrastructure, and future growth against Full Use Equivalent (FUE) pricing. 

This can be challenging before engaging SAP directly, as access to the current price lists and configuration assumptions is limited and early engagement can weaken your leverage. Independent specialists with current commercial experience can help validate your assumptions, simulate RISE costs, and identify where concessions are achievable. 

Assist facilitates direct access to consultants with deep SAP expertise who can help you assess your current landscape, model RISE costs, and plan an informed negotiation strategy. 

3. AI Adoption 

Q: What new licensing risks come with embedding AI tools like Copilot, Joule, watsonx, or Oracle AI into daily workflows? 

A: This is a complex and fast-evolving area, where each vendor’s approach differs significantly. AI tools are often licensed per user, per workload, or per capacity unit, creating unplanned costs if usage expands faster than anticipated. Vendors are also integrating AI into higher-tier packages, often removing lower-cost options. 

Before rolling out AI features at scale, it’s vital to map entitlements, confirm whether pilot or evaluation rights apply, and assess potential overlap with existing licensing. Establish clear usage controls to avoid cost and compliance surprises. 

Assist connects you with our AI panel of licensing and technology experts, enabling you to ask specific questions and explore your scenario in detail at a time that suits you. 

4. IBM 

Q: How can I validate IBM sub-capacity licensing in hybrid or multi-cloud environments to avoid unexpected charges? 

A: Sub-capacity rights depend on correct use of IBM’s License Metric Tool (ILMT). If workloads run across VMware, AWS, or Azure, any data gaps or deployment errors can trigger full-capacity charges, significantly inflating costs. 

You should confirm ILMT is correctly installed, maintained, and continuously providing accurate sub-capacity data. If you are unable to produce complete reports, IBM may initiate an audit where any irregularities can lead to large financial exposure. Independent validation and periodic health checks are strongly advised to ensure continuous compliance. 

Assist connects you directly with IBM specialist consultants who can review your ILMT setup, verify compliance, and advise on sustainable monitoring practices. 

5. Procurement 

Q: When vendors push multi-year lock-ins, how can procurement keep contracts flexible without losing discounts? 

A: Effective negotiation requires a clear understanding of your current licensing position, spend profile, and associated risks. Vendors often use incentives and bundled renewals to drive commitment, so preparation and scenario planning are essential.  

Start by mapping key contractual terms and understanding where flexibility can be traded for value. Insist on exit clauses, renewal checkpoints, and consumption-based models, but agree internally in advance which concessions are acceptable. Experienced commercial consultants can compare vendor tactics across markets to highlight where you have genuine leverage. 

Assist facilitates direct access to commercial consultants who can review your vendor portfolio, highlight negotiation opportunities, and identify ways to maintain flexibility while securing best-value outcomes. 

Final Word 

The questions above reflect the challenges IT and procurement leaders face every day – rising costs, shifting vendor strategies, and emerging risks from AI and cloud adoption. 

Assist gives you the clarity and confidence to act. Whether you need support with benchmarking, negotiation strategy, compliance validation, or cost modelling, our experts provide fast, independent answers exactly when you need them. Find out more.

Steve Narey, Multi-Vendor Service Director

Steve brings over a decade of experience helping global companies optimize software license management, reduce risk, and cut costs, especially during cloud migrations. His expertise spans strategic relationship management, business development, project management, contract negotiation, cloud optimization, and program implementation.