On 12 August, Microsoft announced a new pricing model for its Online Services, set to take effect from 1 November 2025. Under the change, volume licensing programmes such as Enterprise Agreement and MPSA will move away from tiered pricing (levels A to D) in favour of a single, standardised price—aligned with the published price lists on microsoft.com.
At first glance, it sounds like a sensible shift: simpler, more transparent, no more navigating pricing tiers. But the reality is often more nuanced. Organisations are right to ask what this means for their current contracts or upcoming renewals Will prices go up? Will previously agreed benefits disappear? And is there still room to negotiate?
In my experience, the answer depends. If you’re working with an active contract, your existing terms remain in place—Microsoft won’t make retroactive changes. The new pricing applies only to renewals or new purchases that aren’t included in your current price sheet. For MPSA customers, the change is more immediate: from 1 November, you’ll see the updated pricing straight away. For on-premise software like Windows Server or SQL Server, nothing changes for now—tiered pricing still applies.
What stands out most is how varied the impact will be. Some organisations may notice little difference, while others could face significant price increases. At the same time, Microsoft has indicated that there’s still scope to agree pricing terms when negotiating new Enterprise Agreements—provided you start the conversation early.
My advice? Don’t let announcements like this throw you off course. It’s important to understand which parts of your contract are affected and which aren’t. If you’re unsure about your current terms or an upcoming renewal, speak to me or reach out to your Bechtle account manager. Together, we’ll map out what’s changing for your organisation and where there’s room to make smart decisions. That way, you stay in control—without the stress.
