iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 01/10/2025

If you're a service provider using your Microsoft SPLA licences on Listed Providers (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Alibaba), Microsoft has banned this configuration effective October 1st, 2025. DM us for an urgent free consultation. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 25/09/2025

My old mate argued that Microsoft’s licensing complexity is a sign of sophistication, not manipulation. Makes me wonder, am I too harsh when I see it only as a way to squeeze more money?

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 22/09/2025

My sales coach insists that vendors going straight to the CEO is just good salesmanship. Is it? Or is it unethical, especially towards procurement?

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 19/09/2025

I get this at least weekly: "Why don’t you just charge hourly like lawyers do?" Am I overcomplicating it by insisting that hourly billing is a terrible deal for clients?

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 12/09/2025

Before your next renewal, understand which agreement type actually benefits your organisation. Don't automatically accept Microsoft's pitch to switch. #microsoft #procurement #strategy #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 11/09/2025

Large organisations will have to pay more for services like Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 starting November 1st, 2025. An organisation with 24,000+ users could hypothetically pay $2 million more per year for Microsoft 365 E5 licenses. #microsoft #procurement #cloud #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 10/09/2025

Microsoft is eliminating its tiered discount system, effective November 1, 2025. For 25 years, larger organisations have paid less per user through Enterprise Agreements with four pricing levels. Everyone will now pay the full price. #microsoft #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 10/09/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/07/2025

Microsoft decided to allow monthly payments for Copilot. "To help clients with cash flow", monthly billing is granted but with a 5% premium. The problem is that it will also be applied to other M365 subscriptions from April 01, 2025. #microsoft #cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/06/2025

Microsoft is entering 2025 with significant investments in AI and lower-than-anticipated sales performance in this segment. Those renewing their Azure contracts are likely to see a decline in discount levels. samexpert.com/microsoft-azur... #microsoft #cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/06/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/05/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 21/05/2025

Two service providers wanted to cut SPLA costs. One listened and took action. Months later, “We reduced costs by 30%.” The other wasn't willing to change and saved nothing. If you're not ready to rethink your setup, you're not ready to save. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 20/05/2025

A service provider called us in panic. Their SPLA compliance report came back at $10+ million. We took over and did what we usually do. The result? Only $200k in penalties, a 98% reduction! #microsoft #hosting #cloud #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/05/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/04/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/04/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/03/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/03/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/02/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 12/02/2025

2023-2024 saw a massive Microsoft push for Copilot AI. Minimal discounts, even for massive organisations, spoke volumes about their confidence. The hype was deafening. But the promises… well, they haven't materialised. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 11/02/2025

Your 2025 Microsoft budget expectations need to be realistic. Don't underestimate the cost increases coming your way. The next round of negotiations won't be like your last one, three or five years ago. The game has changed. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 10/02/2025

Azure Hybrid Use Benefit (AHUB) is massively misunderstood. Among a hundred cases, we witnessed two extremes: businesses completely ignoring it and others wildly overclaiming. Are you aware of the savings with AHUB? Your FinOps team? #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 09/02/2025

You're ready to renew your EA. You email Microsoft. They reply: "Your agreement is on the list of those not being renewed." Unprepared? Suddenly, you're in a new world. The old rules, the old leverages, they're useless. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 08/02/2025

Microsoft seems to be keeping its promise to stop renewing certain Enterprise Agreements. Their November 2024 announcement was vague, mentioning "cloud agreements" and direct markets like the US, leaving many unsure of their position. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 07/02/2025

Most of you don't negotiate hard enough with Microsoft. A "what can we do?" attitude prevails, even among veteran negotiators. What are you more tired of: negotiating or leaving money on the table? #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 05/02/2025

Unified Support costs have likely doubled or tripled in the last few years. Are you really getting the value for that massive increase? Are you just blindly accepting these inflated costs? #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement #samexpert

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 03/02/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 31/01/2025

Scaling back with a fallback plan challenges Microsoft’s sales approach. Their representatives are heavily incentivised to expand usage, and demonstrating that you have options creates leverage. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 30/01/2025

It’s no secret that Microsoft sales representatives aren’t equally compensated across all products. Some products carry little to no sales incentive, while others are key targets with significant rewards tied to them. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 29/01/2025

If there’s no clear value or a ready-to-go project, keep Copilot out of the Microsoft negotiation. Without a day-one usage case, Copilot risks becoming expensive shelfware, locking you into costs for years and complicating future negotiations. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 29/01/2025

No, there is no close button for me.

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 28/01/2025

AI is dominating conversations, with Microsoft committing an estimated $80 billion to its development. That funding must come from somewhere, and many question how it will impact customers. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 27/01/2025

Microsoft has little reason to offer significant discounts unless you present a strong business case or credible alternatives. Without these, negotiating better terms will be very difficult. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/01/2025

In negotiation, there’s a fundamental concept called BATNA—Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement. Surprisingly, many haven’t heard of it, yet it’s essential. You cannot negotiate effectively without a strong alternative in hand. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/01/2025

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 24/01/2025

FinOps is not cost optimisation Many believe setting up FinOps means they have a cost-optimisation process, but this isn’t true. Even those with strong FinOps teams often lack the motivation to control spending. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 23/01/2025

A CIO may need approval for a purchase above $10,000, yet an Azure architect can commit to half a million dollars annually without oversight. Microsoft has built an effective business model, but organisations struggle to keep up. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 22/01/2025

Most organisations only negotiate their Enterprise Agreements every 3 to 5 years. By the time renewal approaches, the reality of the EA landscape has significantly changed—but without staying informed, you are unprepared for what’s coming. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 21/01/2025

"Why did last year’s £9 million Enterprise Agreement budget suddenly increased by £5 million at renewal?" Rising price lists, evolving product portfolios, diminishing discounts, exchange rate shifts, and high-promise tools like CoPilot. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 20/01/2025

Over the past 12 to 24 months, Microsoft has successfully shifted organisations' focus from Enterprise Agreements towards Azure and MACC contracts. The result? Rising organisational costs and missed opportunities for optimising IT spending. #Microsoft #Cloud #procurement

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 14/11/2024

ServiceNow bros, sorry I hurt your feelings.

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Alexander Golev @ SAMexpert @samexpert.com · 13/11/2024

The saga of the "death of the Enterprise Agreement" continues. The official announcement didn't clarify much. "Beginning January 1, 2025, a small percentage of cloud Enterprise Agreements (EA) in direct markets will no longer be eligible for renewal under the existing EA framework." Thread:

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