Gartner Research

Enterprise Cloud Suite Lures Buyers Deeper Into Microsoft's 'Mobile First, Cloud First' Strategy Within Enterprise Agreements

Published: 09 March 2015

ID: G00271310

Analyst(s): Stephen White, Dolores Ianni

Summary

Microsoft's ECS offers an alternative to perpetual device-based licensing models by introducing a full user-based desktop platform. IT procurement managers should analyze alternatives to help negotiate discounts and minimize the risks associated with lock-in and price increases.

Table Of Contents
  • Impacts

Analysis

Impacts and Recommendations

  • IT procurement managers looking for an enterprise mobility management solution will find the inclusion of the EMS an incentive to buy Microsoft's ECS
    • The ECS increases the visibility of Microsoft's EMM offering
    • Work with your security team to assess the synergies arising from Azure Active Directory Premium and Office 365
    • Azure Rights Management Services expands on Office 365's data protection capabilities
    • Require transparency in licensing these EMS services as separate offerings
  • IT procurement managers who need to license users with two or more Qualified Devices stand to benefit from the ECS, but only if they can avoid overlicensing across their enterprise
    • Compare established offerings with what's included in the ECS
    • Breakdown of ECS to uncover the costs
    • Breakdown of Windows Enterprise SA by User Option
  • Low-cost Add-ons provide value, but may lure buyers into subscriptions that lack adequate future price protection, unless future price terms are negotiated before migrating server applications to the cloud
    • ECS Add-ons allow for partial adoption while keeping perpetual desktops
    • Migrating server applications to cloud hosting under an Add-on product can reduce future leverage
    • Plan for a long-term commitment to subscriptions

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