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Advisory / Microsoft M&A

Microsoft M&A Licensing Advisory 2026

We run licensing diligence before signing, set the day one entitlement, and clean up the EA on the back end. Your side only.

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$2B+Under Advisory
100%Client Side
Fixed fee, all inclusive. Quoted on scope before we start, with no hourly billing and no surprises. Every dollar we save you stays with you.
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Watch the briefingResearch briefing · 4:06

Microsoft EA: Where the Leverage Really Is, and the Mistakes That Give It Away

Leverage lives in Microsoft's calendar and targets, and in credible movement at the edges of the estate. The three mistakes that hand it back: the copy-paste renewal, everyone-gets-everything licensing, and price-only negotiation under their clock.

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500+ Enterprise Clients Industry Recognized $2B+ Under Advisory 11 Vendor Practices 100% Independent
When we help

Three moments we step in

Scenario 01
Acquisition in diligence
An acquisition target is in diligence. You need a Microsoft licensing position, contingent liability range, and a day one entitlement plan.
Scenario 02
Divestiture on the calendar
A business unit is exiting. You need transition service rights, parent EA carve out, and a clean handover of the licensing position.
Scenario 03
Carve out licensing
A spin off needs its own Microsoft posture. You need a new EA, day one tenancy, and a documented separation of entitlement.
How we help

Four phase M&A procedure

Phase 01
Pre signing diligence
Target Microsoft estate reviewed, contingent liability sized, and the licensing risk register loaded into the SPA negotiation.
Phase 02
Day one entitlement
Day one license position, M365 tenancy split, and the Azure entitlement model ready before close.
Phase 03
EA consolidation
EA cleanup, redundant SKU elimination, M365 migration, and Azure landing zone for the combined estate.
Phase 04
Close and governance
Final entitlement register, transition service exit, and governance handed to the combined IT organization.
Deliverables

What you get at close

01
Licensing diligence report
Pre signing review of the target Microsoft estate. Contingent liability range, audit posture, and SPA language recommendations.
02
Day one entitlement plan
License position on close day. M365 tenancy split, Azure entitlement model, and on premise carve out by entity.
03
Transition service framework
TSA scope, EA passthrough mechanics, and the exit timeline for separated licensing during the transition period.
04
EA consolidation roadmap
Combined EA target architecture, SKU rationalization plan, and the M365 migration sequence by business unit.
05
Entitlement register at close
Final entitlement record across EA, M365, Azure, and on premise. Audit ready and aligned with the SPA wording.
06
Executive briefing deck
Deal committee summary of licensing risk, retained liability, day one entitlement, and the integration cost envelope.
Outcome

What changes after we engage

Day 1
Entitlement clarity
at deal close
15 to 30%
Post close EA
consolidation savings
0
Open compliance
liabilities at close
48hr
Engagement
opening time
100%
Your side
independent
Engagement model

Two ways to engage

Pick the option that matches your posture. Fixed Fee for a single deal cycle. Vendor Shield for continuous always on Microsoft defense across acquisitions, divestitures, and carve outs.

Option A

Fixed Fee Engagement

Scope
Single acquisition, divestiture, or carve out cycle from diligence through close.
Timeline
Eight to sixteen weeks typical. Same week start once scope is signed.
Pricing
Fixed fee. Quoted on scope. No hourly billing.
Best for
Single deal with a defined close date and a contained licensing diligence question.
Contact Us →
Option B

Vendor Shield

Scope
Continuous Microsoft defense. Deal pipeline coverage, post close integration, standing negotiation counsel.
Timeline
12 to 24 month subscription. Renews annually.
Pricing
Annual subscription. Quoted on deal volume.
Best for
Active acquirers and PE portfolios with multiple Microsoft motions across the year.
Vendor Shield detail →
“
Redress flagged a nineteen million dollar Microsoft contingent liability before signing. The SPA was rewritten, the exposure was retained by the seller, and the deal closed on schedule.
VP Corporate Development, Global industrial group
Microsoft M&A diligence
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Your next Microsoft deal is an opportunity

Acquisition in diligence. Divestiture on the calendar. Carve out in flight. We start where you are and close on your side number. The same M&A software advisory discipline applies across every publisher: licensing diligence before signing, then entitlement set on day one.

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