cloud licensing

Microsoft's recent migration of its Windows Key Management Licensing Service (MKMS) to Azure's Confidential Computing platform marks a significant advancement in cloud security and operational efficiency. This strategic move leverages cutting-edge technologies to enhance the protection of...

Navigating the complexities of running Windows Server workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS) can be a daunting challenge, especially for organizations seeking to maximize value from pre-existing Microsoft licenses. As cloud adoption accelerates across industries, the Bring Your Own License...

As Cumberland and Westmorland Councils prepare to vote on a proposed three-year contract for a new Microsoft Enterprise and Server Cloud Agreement—a deal which could see costs soar up to £10.5 million—the discussion at Carlisle’s Civic Centre is emblematic of the growing complexity and stakes in...

Microsoft Office 2024, unveiled in September 2024, marked another milestone in productivity software by offering a range of upgrades and additional features. Yet, even as users and IT administrators eagerly adopted the latest iteration, a persistent and troubling licensing bug cast a shadow over...

Microsoft’s latest move in the cloud computing arena marks a significant evolution for enterprise IT management: the introduction of Windows 365 Cloud Apps, which allows IT administrators to deliver individual applications—such as Word or Outlook—directly from Cloud PCs without the overhead of...

Few undertakings within the U.S. federal government are as indicative of shifting strategic priorities as the Department of Defense’s ongoing review of its gargantuan software investments. The latest development—an exclusive confirmed by DefenseScoop—sees the Pentagon’s Chief Information Officer...

Microsoft is currently embroiled in a significant legal battle in the United Kingdom, facing allegations of anti-competitive practices related to its cloud licensing policies. The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, accuses the tech giant of overcharging UK businesses for using its Windows Server...

The recent failure of Microsoft to deliver a special version of Azure for European Union (EU) cloud providers has brought its ongoing conflict with the Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers of Europe (CISPE) back into sharp focus. More than just a missed deadline, this episode underscores the...

Microsoft once again finds itself at the center of legal scrutiny in the United Kingdom, this time facing a potentially multibillion-pound collective claim that strikes at the heart of its software licensing practices. The suit, filed by barrister Alexander Wolfson and supported by the law firm...

In the latest chapter of Microsoft's ongoing legal and regulatory saga, the software giant now faces a multibillion-pound lawsuit in the United Kingdom, with claims that could reshape the market for software licenses across Europe. This case, led by the law firm Stewarts, directly targets...

Amid the relentless advance of artificial intelligence across global industries, German enterprises find themselves at a critical crossroads: embracing Microsoft’s rapidly evolving AI and cloud platforms, but wrestling with deep uncertainties about return on investment. This tension is starkly...

Microsoft’s ever-evolving cloud strategy is taking another significant leap with a slate of changes to its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner contracts, designed to streamline deal-making, improve customer lifecycle management, and sharpen the competitive edge of the global partner ecosystem...

Microsoft is again rewriting the playbook for its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) ecosystem, unveiling a suite of major contractual changes set to roll out through 2025. These updates, spearheaded by Nicole Dezen, the company’s chief partner officer and corporate vice president of global partner...

Microsoft’s announcement strikingly expands the boundaries of what’s possible with software-as-a-service (SaaS) billing and licensing, marking a shift from the industry’s rigid, “one-size-fits-all” subscription rates toward a new paradigm: partners can now craft private offers that give buyers...

Microsoft’s approach to cloud licensing has created a complex landscape for enterprises moving to the cloud, particularly those with substantial investments in Windows Server and SQL Server. The issue, as outlined by submissions from Amazon and Google to the UK Competition and Markets Authority...

Microsoft's response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the regulator's provisional ruling on cloud software licensing pricing is robust and critical. Microsoft calls the CMA's intervention "extraordinary and unprecedented," emphasizing that no other software provider...

The contemporary cloud computing market is a battleground dominated by a few colossal players, most notably Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This dominance inevitably attracts scrutiny from regulators focused on ensuring fair competition and...

The ongoing competition tug-of-war in the cloud services market highlights a critical point: Microsoft's licensing policies for its software, particularly Windows Server, heavily influence the viability and economics of multi-cloud deployments. According to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft's...

When enterprises contemplate moving their IT workloads to the cloud, those with significant investments in Microsoft infrastructure typically confront a challenging dilemma. For organizations deeply reliant on Windows Server and SQL Server, the prospect of rewriting applications or migrating...

The recent developments around Microsoft's licensing practice for Windows Server and its impact on cloud competition have ignited a significant regulatory and industry debate centered on fair market dynamics, consumer costs, and innovation in cloud services. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google...