Global Enterprise Microsoft SAM Transformation

Client:
Cost OptimizationSAM Advisory

The Challenge

The client faced a complex, fragmented software environment with a $36M Microsoft contract footprint. They were burdened by

  • Inefficient Spend: High licensing costs with underutilized Azure and SharePoint resources.

  • Audit Risk: Exposure to non-compliance penalties and lack of centralized visibility.

  • Bloated Infrastructure: Over-provisioned Express Routes and unoptimized MACC (Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment) agreements.

The Solution

We implemented a comprehensive SAM (Software Asset Management) Advisory strategy focused on Modernization and Centralization:

  • Contract Renegotiation: Restructured core agreements to align with actual consumption.

  • Resource Optimization: Performed a deep-dive cleanup of Express Routes and SharePoint/Azure usage.

  • Operational Governance: Instituted a dedicated SAM service team to harvest continuous savings and manage software publishers.

  • Strategic Partnering: Consolidated the vendor landscape to transform Microsoft from a vendor into a strategic partner.

$
2800000
Financial Savings in the First Year.
$
6500000
In Total Hard Savings Over Three Years.
$
2350000
In Cost Avoidance.

The Final Results

The engagement delivered significant fiscal and operational improvements:

  • Hard Financial Savings: * $2.8M saved within the first year.
    • $6.5M in total hard savings over three years.
    • $22.6M to $18M reduction in MACC contract obligations.
  • Cost Avoidance: $2.35M captured through soft savings and risk mitigation.
  • Risk Elimination: Successfully instituted “No Audit” moratoriums in contracts, removing future compliance liability.
  • Innovation Reinvestment: Freed-up capital was successfully pivoted to fund high-growth initiatives, including AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Advanced Visualization Dashboards.