Transformation story
Eliminating Hidden Costs in Microsoft Licensing
A manufacturing organization optimized its Microsoft licensing strategy by aligning costs to actual usage – reducing waste, improving visibility, and creating a more flexible, scalable approach to license management.
THE CLIENT
INDUSTRY
Fabrication
Employees
150
THE STORY
Limited cost visibility.
THE STARTING POINT
As their Microsoft renewal approached, the organization needed a clearer understanding of what they were paying for and whether licensing aligned with how employees actually worked. Despite an established procurement relationship with Quadbridge, evolving usage patterns and cost pressures exposed potential inefficiencies in their current licensing model.
With a time-sensitive renewal deadline, the organization needed to right-size its licensing without sacrificing access to essential tools and security capabilities.
THE CHALLENGE
-
License Overprovisioning
The organization was paying for features that were fully utilized. -
Changing Usage Needs
Fewer users required the full Microsoft 365 Business Premium capabilities. -
Limited Cost Visibility
Unclear distinction into what licenses were essential versus optional. -
Time-Sensitive Renewal
The team required quick decisions to avoid inefficient autorenewal.
THE SOLUTION
-
Usage & Needs Analysis
Worked with stakeholders to distinguish how employees used Microsoft tools to identify essential vs. unnecessary features. -
Rightsized Licensing Model
Built a tailored licensing mix aligned with actual business needs. -
Targeted Feature Retention
Preserved critical capabilities through add-ons instead of full bundled licensing. -
Enhanced Visibility & Governance
Onboarded on QBx platform to track usage, costs, and enable ongoing license optimization.
TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVED
