From 1 November 2025, Microsoft is introducing a new way of pricing Online Services. Customers on Enterprise Agreements (EAs), MPSA and OSPA contracts will move to a single model that matches the prices shown on Microsoft.com.
For many organisations this means that the volume discounts which once applied to Online Services will no longer be available. Instead, everyone will use the same reference point. This makes pricing more transparent and consistent, but it also creates a need to rethink how you approach your Microsoft licensing strategy.
Understanding what is changing
Today, EA and MPSA agreements use price levels that work as tiers, reducing costs for customers with larger user numbers. From November 2025, those variable levels (B, C and D) will no longer apply to Online Services. Every licence will be priced at what is currently called Level A, which is aligned with the public Microsoft.com list price.
The change does not cover everything. On-premises software pricing remains the same, and government and education customers are unaffected as they operate under separate frameworks. For Online Services such as Microsoft 365, organisations should prepare for a difference when they next renew.
It is also important to understand how the change will be introduced. It will not happen for everyone on 1 November 2025. Instead, it will apply from your next renewal or when a new Online Service is added that is not currently listed on your customer price sheet. This means some organisations have more time than others, but it also makes forward planning essential.
Why this matters for your renewal
Much of the industry commentary points to price increases. Projections suggest many organisations could see rises of around 6 to 12 percent. The exact figure will depend on the size of your user base and which workloads you use.
Larger organisations that have benefited from the biggest discounts are most likely to notice the difference. Even so, the update does deliver something many customers have asked for, which is simplicity. A single baseline price makes it easier to understand and predict costs without working through a complex discount structure.
This does not reduce the need for planning. In fact, it makes it more important. Without scale-based pricing, organisations will need to be precise about usage, value from licences, and which commercial route delivers the best long-term fit.
Exploring your options
For some organisations, renewing with an EA will still make sense. Long commitments and predictable terms can provide stability. For others, the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) model will be more attractive. With costs now aligned to EA pricing, CSP offers flexibility with monthly licence adjustment, simpler billing, and the ability to scale services up or down in line with business needs.
The decision is no longer only about cost. It is about how your licensing model supports broader business goals. That could mean achieving budget predictability, supporting digital transformation, or enabling more agile workforce planning.
How HAYNE.cloud can support the transition
At HAYNE.cloud we are already helping customers prepare well ahead of November 2025. Our role is not just to renew licences. We provide clarity, context and practical guidance so that licensing decisions become part of a wider strategy.
We start by building visibility. Many organisations are not using all of the licences they already own. Through our assessment we uncover unused or misallocated seats, highlight inefficiencies, and identify areas where spend can be brought back under control. This goes further than Microsoft’s native tools by providing AI-powered insights into cost, security and resource management, with reporting that helps financial teams forecast accurately and align IT billing with business needs. On average, customers reduce their Azure spend by up to 30 percent.
For customers considering CSP, we provide structured roadmaps for EA to CSP migration. These cover every stage, from tenant review and licence consolidation through to migration planning and governance. Alongside this, our assessment delivers actionable recommendations on right-sizing, contractual usage optimisation, and security posture improvement, helping you build a strategy that combines cost savings with stronger compliance and governance.
Beyond licensing we also support projects around security, compliance and adoption. Our assessment supports Zero Trust alignment, identity security, and compliance reporting, giving you a clearer view of where to invest and where savings can be made. Our goal is to help you unlock the maximum value from your Microsoft investment while creating a more resilient, secure and cost-effective cloud environment.
Taking the next step
Microsoft’s update brings consistency, but it changes where the value lies. It is no longer about negotiating discounts based on user numbers. The focus is now on accurate planning, careful licence management and choosing the right commercial model at renewal.
Although the changes take effect from November 2025, the time to prepare is now. By reviewing your current EA and how your Microsoft services are used today, you can create a forward plan that puts you in control.
At HAYNE.cloud we are here to help you do exactly that. By combining licensing knowledge with practical insight and long-term support, we work alongside your team to ensure you make the right choice. That might mean renewing an EA on the right terms or exploring the flexibility of CSP.
If you want a clearer picture of how this change could affect your next renewal, and the options available to you, speak to us today.
Disclaimer: Figures suggesting 6 to 12 percent increases are external industry estimates. They are provided for context only and may not reflect the specific impact on your organisation.
