In 2023, Microsoft announced that it would be increasing the prices of its Office 365 plans for commercial customers. The new pricing structure will take effect on October 1, 2023, impacting businesses of all sizes.

What Does The Microsoft 365 Price Change Entail?

The new prices will vary depending on the plan and region, but some businesses could see their monthly costs rise by as much as 15%. The price increase is attributed to Microsoft’s ongoing investments in its cloud services, including Office 365. The company is adding new features and expanding its global infrastructure to meet the growing service demand.

Office 365 remains a cost-effective solution for many businesses despite the price increase. The suite offers many tools and features to help businesses improve their productivity and collaboration. Plus, it provides security and data protection that is hard to match with other solutions.

With Office 365 Price Increases, What Are The Alternatives?

For businesses looking to save money, a few options are available. First, Microsoft offers a free version of Office 365, called Office 365 Business Basic, which includes a subset of the features found in the paid versions. Additionally, businesses can save money by buying multiple years of Office 365 at once, as the company offers discounts for customers who pay for multiple years in advance.

The price increase for Microsoft Office 365 in 2023 reflects the company’s continued investment in its cloud services. While it may be disappointing for some businesses, the cost increase is necessary to ensure that Office 365 remains a top-performing and secure solution. Businesses looking to save money on Office 365 have options like Office 365 Business Basic and buying multiple years in advance. Businesses need to reassess their Office 365 plans and consider adjusting their subscriptions to accommodate the new pricing structure.

Optimize Your Office 365 Spend with SLIM 360

In addition to the options mentioned above, businesses can also use tools like MetrixData 360’s SLIM 360 to optimize their Office 365 spend. SLIM 360 is a software tool that helps businesses manage and optimize their Office 365 subscriptions.

With SLIM 360, businesses can clearly understand their Office 365 usage and identify areas where they can cut costs or improve efficiency. The tool can also help businesses optimize their Office 365 licenses, ensuring that they only pay for the features and services they need.

Key Features of SLIM 360

Some of the key features of SLIM 360 include:

• Usage tracking and reporting: SLIM 360 can track and report the usage of different Office 365 services and features, giving businesses insight into which services are being used and which aren’t.
• License optimization: SLIM 360 can help businesses optimize their Office 365 licenses by identifying which users need which services and features and assigning the appropriate licenses.
• Cost savings: By optimizing their Office 365 licenses and usage, businesses can reduce their Office 365 spending and save money.
• Security and compliance: SLIM 360 can also help businesses ensure compliance with security and data protection regulations by providing visibility into their Office 365 environment.

When There’s a Microsoft 365 Increase, Make Use of Metrixdata 360’s SLIM 360

In conclusion, businesses facing the price increase of Microsoft Office 365 in 2023 can use MetrixData 360’s SLIM 360 tool to optimize their Office 365 spend. The tool can help businesses track and report on using different Office 365 services and features, identify areas where they can cut costs or improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with security and data protection regulations. With SLIM 360, businesses can ensure that they are only paying for the features and services they need and reduce their Office 365 spending. For more information on our SLIM 360 click here. For other services, visit our website at www.metrixdata360.com.

Software contracts are binding agreements that define the terms of use and access to software systems. Negotiating a software contract and software license management itself can be complex, particularly regarding licensing and compliance requirements. That’s where ringfencing comes in as a key strategy for managing licensing and compliance requirements in software negotiations.

What is Ringfencing in Software Contracts?

Ringfencing isolates access to specific portions of a software application from the rest of the system. There are many ways technically you can ringfence access to an application.  For example, you can limit the access to certain types of users or restrict the type of access they receive (say, by giving them reduced functionality). This is done to help businesses manage licensing and compliance requirements in software contracts by excluding certain users or groups from the licensing requirement.

For example, in a software contract requiring all users to be licensed with maintenance, certain workers may not need access to the software. This could include shop floor employees, retail employees, or healthcare workers, who may not require the same functionality or access as other users.  In such cases, ringfencing can exclude these users from the licensing requirement, helping businesses avoid unnecessary costs and complexity. You would negotiate a clause to exclude these users from needing a license.

Why is Ringfencing Important in Software Contracts and Negotiations?

There are several key benefits to using ringfencing in your software contracts and negotiations for licensing and compliance:

1. Cost savings: By using ringfencing to exclude certain users or groups from the licensing requirement, businesses can achieve significant cost savings over time. This is particularly important for companies with large workforces or complex software systems, where licensing costs can quickly increase.
2. Compliance: Ringfencing can help businesses comply with industry regulations and standards by limiting access to sensitive data or functionality and providing better control over user access and permissions. It can also help you maintain compliance with the terms and conditions of your software contract.
3. Flexibility: Ringfencing provides businesses with greater flexibility in managing their software systems and licenses, allowing them to tailor access and functionality to the specific needs of different user groups.

Ringfencing is an important strategy for managing licensing and compliance requirements in software contracts and negotiations. By using ringfencing to exclude certain users or groups from the licensing requirement, businesses can achieve cost savings, improve compliance, and gain greater flexibility in managing their software systems. 

Consider Ringfencing Today

So if you’re negotiating a new software contract, need help with software license management, think about ringfencing options, and negotiate with your vendor to find a solution that meets your needs and helps you manage your licensing and compliance requirements effectively. For more guidance on Ringfencing, speak to our team at MetrixData 360. Find out more here: https://metrixdata360.com/. If you’re looking for guidance on other matters like software licensing, Microsoft Office license, Microsoft Office lifetime license, end user license agreements, or software license management, get in touch with us too.