Transformation story
How a Transportation Organization Reduced Microsoft 365 Licensing Costs by 14%
A routine Microsoft renewal became an opportunity to reduce licensing costs while strengthening security and modernizing user capabilities. Through strategic Microsoft 365 licence optimization, the transportation organization gained greater value without disrupting its Remote Desktop Services environment.
THE CLIENT
INDUSTRY
Transportation
Employees
200-500 employees
THE STORY
More value, lower cost.
THE STARTING POINT
The transportation organization entered its Microsoft renewal with most users on Microsoft 365 E5 and approximately 270 users on Office 365 E3. Although the renewal was not at risk, retaining the same licence mix would have left those 270 users with fewer security, identity, and device management capabilities at a higher per-user price.
THE CHALLENGE
-
Misaligned Licence Mix
Approximately 270 users remained on Office 365 E3, a higher-priced plan that no longer aligned with their security, identity, and device management needs. -
Inconsistent User Protection
The Office 365 E3 users lacked several capabilities available across the organization’s Microsoft 365 environment, including Intune, advanced threat protection, Conditional Access, and Windows entitlements. -
Critical RDS Requirements
Any replacement licence needed to support shared computer activation to ensure applications continued functioning within the organization’s Remote Desktop Services environment. -
Complex Licensing Terms
Microsoft subscription commitments, minimum seat requirements, and restrictions on mid-term reductions limited the organization’s ability to adjust certain licences during the existing term.
THE SOLUTION
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Strategic Licence Review
Quadbridge’s in-house Microsoft licensing experts identified a better-fit licensing approach, aligning technical requirements with stronger capabilities and greater value. -
Better-Fit Licensing
Our experts transitioned the 270 users to Microsoft 365 Business Premium, lowering the per-user price while adding identity, security, device management, and Windows capabilities. -
RDS Compatibility Validation
The recommended licence mix preserved shared computer activation for the organization’s Remote Desktop Services environment, with its IT team validating compatibility before proceeding. -
Future-Ready Licensing
Quadbridge introduced Microsoft 365 E7 enabling the organization to launch a four-user pilot focused on AI, advanced identity, and automation capabilities.
THE IMPACT
Stronger capabilities, smarter investment.
Licence optimization reduced costs, strengthened security, and enabled a Microsoft 365 E7 pilot focused on AI, identity, and automation.
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