There was a time when waiting paid off.
You’d delay a Microsoft conversation, let the quarter-end pressure build, and Microsoft would come back with better pricing. More flexibility. A last-minute concession to get the deal done.
That era is over.
And are enterprises still playing the old game? They’re the ones most at risk of walking into 2026 with bloated commitments, flat pricing, and zero negotiation leverage.
Here’s what changed and how to respond.
Microsoft Has Made Its Move
Microsoft’s shift away from volume-based EA discounts is now active. Starting November 1, standard pricing will apply across most EA, MCA-E, and CSP agreements. The longer you wait, the fewer levers remain.
And the truth is: Microsoft is no longer incentivized to negotiate in the ways you’re used to.
Field reps aren’t rewarded for discounting. Contracts are being routed directly through MCA-E. And once your renewal window hits, the pricing is already locked.
Waiting doesn’t improve your odds. It eliminates them.
What Smart Enterprises Are Doing Instead
The most prepared organizations we work with have flipped their renewal posture from reactive to proactive. They:
- ✅ Run license audits across departments to catch under-utilization
- ✅ Model CSP and MCA-E scenarios before engaging Microsoft
- ✅ Pre-negotiate terms using internal data—not external promises
- ✅ Forecast Copilot and AI-ready usage with their business units
- ✅ Align stakeholders early so there’s no last-minute chaos
They don’t ask Microsoft for a better deal.
They show Microsoft a better plan.
The “Wait-and-See” Trap
We see it far too often: large enterprises, seasoned procurement teams, experienced IT leaders—still defaulting to renewal timelines that assume flexibility will come.
It won’t.
The new model rewards precision, not procrastination. And without defensible data, your renewal is a take-it-or-leave-it moment. Not a negotiation.
How Surveil Helps You Take Control
Surveil gives enterprise teams the advantage Microsoft no longer provides:
- Real-time license visibility across Microsoft 365, Azure, and Copilot
- Active user analysis to trim waste and right-size renewals
- EA-to-CSP transition modeling so you can test scenarios before committing
- Contract Center to centralize renewal planning and build strategy
- Dashboards built for finance and IT—not just license managers
You’ll enter the conversation prepared. Not guessing.
It’s Not Too Late—But It Is Late
You have a narrow window to act. Even if your renewal isn’t until 2026, the opportunity to model, optimize, and prepare is now.
Waiting to act is no longer a strategy. It’s a cost.
Let Surveil help you lead your renewal.
✅ Take Control of Your Microsoft EA Renewal
Microsoft’s November 1st licensing change is just weeks away. Whether your renewal is near or months out, the window to build leverage is closing.
👉🏼 Book a Microsoft Licensing Readiness Session to:
- Uncover usage-based savings that can fund your transition
- Run EA-to-CSP scenarios using your real tenant data
- Navigate Microsoft’s new pricing model with confidence
- Get a clear action plan — no fluff, no pressure e
🎥 Not ready to talk yet? Watch our executive briefing on-demand: “Microsoft’s New Pricing Model: How to Respond with Precision, Not Panic” It’s a must-watch for CIOs, procurement, and finance leaders preparing for renewal.
📚 Still have questions? Visit our Microsoft Licensing FAQ Hub for answers to common EA and CSP transition concerns.