Newsletter — IT Negotiation Intelligence Weekly

What's Inside Every Edition

Intelligence you can actually act on

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Vendor Pricing Intelligence

When Oracle changes Java licensing, when Microsoft adjusts NCE pricing, when Broadcom announces new VMware SKUs — you'll know before your next renewal, not after. We track pricing announcements, partner disclosures, and market signals every week.

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Contract Tactic Breakdowns

Real negotiation playbooks shared by practitioners in the field. This week's Oracle EA trap. How Microsoft is using Copilot to bundle into renewals. Why that SAP RISE proposal looks attractive but isn't. Tactics that work, explained simply.

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Audit Alerts & Defence Tips

Oracle audit activity tends to cluster by quarter. IBM triggers tend to follow Passport Advantage renewals. We track audit patterns and share early warning signals so you can prepare a defence posture before the letter arrives.

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Firm & Rankings Updates

When we update a vendor ranking, add a new firm profile, or publish a new buyer guide, newsletter subscribers hear first. Stay ahead of our research cycle and know when our recommendations change.

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Expert Commentary

Practitioner perspectives on the week's biggest software licensing stories. What does Microsoft's Copilot+ PC push mean for your EA? What does the Salesforce price increase mean for your next renewal? Real analysis, not press releases.

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Subscriber-Only Downloads

Periodic subscriber-exclusive content — negotiation checklists, audit response templates, contract comparison tables, and early access to new white papers before they're publicly available.

Recent Editions

A flavour of what we cover

March 18, 2026Oracle

Oracle's Q3 audit blitz: what's triggering letters and how to respond

Oracle's fiscal Q3 traditionally sees a spike in audit notifications. We break down the three triggers we're seeing most often and the response tactics that are working.

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March 11, 2026Microsoft

Copilot bundling: how Microsoft is using AI to lock you into a bigger EA

Microsoft is using Copilot add-ons as a Trojan horse for larger EA commitments. Here's what to look for in your renewal proposal and how to push back.

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March 4, 2026VMware

12 months after Broadcom: what actually happened to VMware pricing

We surveyed 40 enterprises one year into the Broadcom ownership of VMware. The price increases are real, but so are the exit options. Here's the data.

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Feb 25, 2026SAP

RISE with SAP: the hidden costs in the migration contract

SAP RISE proposals look clean until you read the subscription terms. We identify the five contract clauses that enterprises consistently miss — and regret.

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Feb 18, 2026Cloud

AWS EDP vs Azure MACC: which cloud commitment deal is worth it?

Both hyperscalers want multi-year spending commitments. Both offer tiered discounts. Here's how to evaluate and negotiate these deals side-by-side.

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Reader Feedback

What IT leaders say

"The Oracle audit issue was exactly what I needed the week before we received our own letter. I forwarded it to legal and we used three of the five response strategies outlined. Invaluable."

Head of IT Procurement

Global Financial Services · London

"I've subscribed to a lot of tech newsletters. This is one of three I actually open every week. The signal-to-noise ratio is exceptional — no fluff, just actionable intelligence."

VP Technology Strategy

Fortune 500 Manufacturer · Chicago

"The Broadcom VMware analysis alone saved us from signing a 3-year renewal at inflated rates. We used the benchmarking data to negotiate a 12-month bridge while we evaluated alternatives."

Chief Procurement Officer

Healthcare Enterprise · Amsterdam