Client story Global Accounting & Professional Services Firm Optimizes Microsoft Licensing & Support
Learn how a Microsoft EA helped a global accounting firm standardize Microsoft licensing and save 40% over its previous licensing arrangement.
By Steve Solomon / 14 Nov 2018 / Topics: Software
Facts at a glance
Client industry:
Financial
Size of company:
300,000 employees
Challenge:
The client needed guidance and consultation for one of the largest Microsoft deals in the world, under a compressed time frame, with one international deadline.
Solution:
- Optimized Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA)
- Insight implementation team
- Dedicated daily support
Results
- Comprehensive cost savings globally
- Scalable Microsoft licensing
- Improved communication throughout organization
- More synergistic client/IT consultation
- Largest existing Microsoft EA
Solution area:
Insight’s Supply Chain Optimization solutions simplify the process of procuring, maintaining and replacing the technology clients invest in to run their business.
A major accounting firm with operations that span the globe realized small, incremental changes could no longer solve its most pressing technology challenges. The company sought a partner with a comparable international presence that could help improve the quality of its IT environment and ensure regional compliance.
The company's goal was to find the best market adviser for its upcoming Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) renewal.
The company's goal was to find the best market adviser for its upcoming Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) renewal. The previous vendor couldn't meet the firm's daily user support and lacked an understanding of local Microsoft licensing standards, which were required for conformance to U.S. and South American specifications. Additionally, the company had limited internal resources available to address these major challenges.
Comprehensive Microsoft solutions
Insight’s Supply Chain Optimization and Software Asset Management (SAM) teams worked together and proposed a lockstep 18-month relationship that would best meet the client’s current and long-term needs. The global Microsoft EA, the largest in existence, would give the client the flexibility to buy both cloud services and software licenses in one convenient agreement.
As Microsoft’s largest global partner, Insight possesses deep knowledge and expertise around Microsoft solutions, as well as support, which adds value to our clients.
Maximizing value
EA options vary greatly, so the SAM team used extensive market data to show the client the specific cost-savings metrics associated with each option — to maximize the firm's investments.
After helping determine the Microsoft EA composition to provide the best long-term value, the Supply Chain Optimization team offered several pricing scenarios that could be scaled up or down, depending on departmental needs and geographic location.
Regional service
As part of the implementation process, Insight collaborated with a leading software adviser that had strong local resources in Argentina and Brazil. This allowed us to provide better support and communications, as well as hands-on consultations, for a wide variety of IT projects.
The client saved 40% over the previous licensing arrangement, adding up to about $700,000 in savings per year in Brazil alone.
The global Microsoft EA, the largest in existence, would give the client the flexibility to buy both cloud services and software licenses in one convenient agreement.
Global reach
Insight's global alliance partner network is the foundation of our local-touch, global-reach philosophy. We’ve developed strong international relationships that empower us to offer best-in-class IT products throughout the world. Our Supply Chain Optimization tools and modernized applications help enterprises develop fast, flexible work environments that put them at the forefront of innovation.
Our ability to address global data needs allowed us to help this client ensure regional compliance, conduct international transactions and tailor solutions to local infrastructure. The client told us, “This is the best IT experience our company has ever had.”
That confidence has already awarded us several opportunities across the client's entire global organization and continues to foster our long-term partnership.
