Announced Increase in Microsoft Office 365 Pricing in 2022

They may say it is the first price increase for Microsoft Office pricing 365 since its launch in 2011, but the fact remains that the license price per user will weigh more heavily on companies' IT budgets. These price increases on Microsoft's cloud subscription office suite for Windows and Apple versions will not be applied initially to the general public and the education sector, but they will be quite significant. Geographical zone arbitrations are not yet finalized, but to give you an idea, the dollar prices for Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium versions will see increases of 8 to 25% per user license.

Why Such Increases in Microsoft Office 365 Pricing

Price increases for software licenses are generally explained by technological and functional advancements of new versions. The on-demand version of Office is no exception to this rule, and software licenses have been enriched over the years with a portfolio of applications covering, more or less exhaustively depending on the chosen license (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, Premium), all the needs for document production, database management, communication, collaborative work, and real-time exchanges…

These technological advancements are certainly welcome, but not all companies have the same IT service needs or the desire to systematically follow the roadmap imposed by publishers. In this period where IT frugality becomes a necessity, when IT departments face such announcements, they must be able to remain masters of their IT development strategy and keep control over their investments. 

SMEs, Mid-size companies, large enterprises, stay in control of your software assets 

Today, numerous solutions and levers enable IT departments and purchasing services to avoid imposed increases by publishers and maintain control over their investments in structuring IT projects. Regardless of your company's size or industry, you will inevitably be affected by the March 2022 increase in Microsoft Office pricing 365. The on-premise version of the collaborative suite is increasingly present in companies' software inventory, and each purchased workstation is generally equipped by default with an Office 365 license ready to be activated. To this ease, IT departments must oppose the rigor of proactive management of their software assets and favor the secondary license market to provide each employee the functional coverage they need to perform their assigned tasks.

The optimization of a company's software assets coupled with the secondary market through the Softcorner marketplace constitutes the two main action levers for IT departments. With a precise mapping of your office suite: number of licenses, version, primarily exploited features, IT equipment… you will be able to determine the useful software versions and those that can be decommissioned and resold on the Softcorner marketplace. Quite simply, you will be able to value your inventory, monetize the licenses you no longer use, and precisely target your investments based on your needs and projects. By prioritizing the secondary market, you will no longer be subject to Microsoft Office pricing increases, and you can purchase perpetual Office versions at very good prices (up to 80% savings on your purchases) that you need.

By implementing management of your software asset and using the Softcorner marketplace for the sale and purchase of your software licenses on the secondary market, you will avoid the Microsoft Office pricing increase on cloud subscription versions. You will also contribute to the development of a green and circular IT economy, extending the lifespan of your software and hardware infrastructures.