If you are big enough, like NHS, and willing to drive a hard bargain, again like NHS, then thou shall get negative inflation from Microsoft, theRegister reports.
I know we have a economic downturn in full swing, however, 16 percent discount from previous contract prices is too steep to blame on the economy, especially for the last few years, inflation (the measure that really matters when it comes to prices) were actually very high.
In fairness, Microsoft did make NHS negotiate hard for every penny. Six months negotiation is not an easy negotiation by any measure. I am sure Microsoft brought a lot of pressure to bear on the NHS but time is not on Microsoft’s side. The longer it drags its heel, the more chance an alternative software will take hold in the NHS. This means in the long run, it risks losing more. That, I am sure, is the reason the negotiation comes to a happy conclusion for NHS and Microsoft.
Personally, if you asked me, I won’t pay a penny on license. But I am not running the NHS.
