Microsoft's licensing tactics are making it expensive — or impossible — to run its software on AWS and Google Cloud. Regulators and competitors are pushing back, but customers are caught in the crossfire. Here's what's happening and how it affects your cloud strategy.
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Microsoft Isn't Playing Fair When it Comes to the Cloud
Microsoft's licensing tactics are making it expensive — or impossible — to run its software on AWS and Google Cloud. Regulators and competitors are pushing back, but customers are caught in the crossfire. Here's what's happening and how it affects your cloud strategy.
Gordon Jenkins
Microsoft Licensing Expert, LicenseFortress
December 2023
5 min read
The bottom line
Microsoft's licensing tactics are making it expensive — or impossible — to run its software on AWS and Google Cloud. Regulators and competitors are pushing back, but customers are caught in the crossfire. Here's what's happening and how it affects your cloud strategy.
- LicenseFortress is an independent software licensing advocate — we never sell vendor licenses and take no vendor commissions.
- $2.4B+ in vendor claims defended and $625M+ saved for clients.
- Coverage across Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, SAP, VMware by Broadcom, and Adobe.
- Licensing experts working alongside software contract attorneys.
From our case files
Whatever the cloud, the licensing terms decide the bill. Two Microsoft engagements that prove it:
Energy Provider Saves Over $1M After Microsoft True-Up Error Found
LicenseFortress uncovered a costly Microsoft True-Up error, saving a major energy company over $1 million by identifying overlooked entitlements.
Read the case studyNavigating a High-Stakes Microsoft Renewal Saved This Retailer $4 Million+
National retailer avoided ~$4M in Microsoft renewal penalties with a $35K compliance review—11.3K% ROI.
Read the case studyAbout the author
Gordon Jenkins
Microsoft Licensing Expert, LicenseFortress
Gordon focuses on Microsoft licensing programs, agreements and compliance risk.
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