Author: Misra GOZ

EA Volume Discounts Are Ending: A New Era in Microsoft Licensing Strategy

Starting November 1, 2025, Microsoft is making a significant change to its Enterprise Agreement (EA) licensing model. With this update, the automatic volume discount tiers (Levels B–D) applied to Online Services such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, Windows 365, and others will be removed. From now on, all commercial customers will be licensed under a single price level — Level A, meaning the full list price applies.

This marks one of the most substantial commercial changes in Microsoft licensing in recent years. But what does it really mean for organizations? How will they be affected — and can this change be turned into a strategic advantage?

Why Did Microsoft Remove Volume Discounts?

Microsoft is shifting from its long-standing volume-based discount model to a value-based model. This change reinforces Microsoft’s cloud-first strategy and aims to simplify commercial licensing processes.

In short: It’s no longer about “how many users you have,” but “how much value you generate and how you use the cloud.”

This move reflects Microsoft’s intent to create a more dynamic and scalable model — both for partners and enterprise customers.

What’s Changing?

1. All organizations now move to Level A pricing

Previously:

250–2,399 users: Level A
2,400–5,999 users: Level B
6,000–14,999 users: Level C
15,000+ users: Level D

Now:

All commercial customers will be charged at Level A (list price). This means an average cost increase of 6–12%.

2. Only Online Services are affected

This change applies to cloud-based services such as:

Microsoft 365
Dynamics 365
Azure
Windows 365
Power Platform

On-premises products (e.g., Windows Server, SQL Server) remain unaffected for now and keep their existing discount structure.

3. Education and Government customers are excluded

Microsoft confirmed that this update applies only to commercial EA agreements. Therefore, government and education institutions will continue under their current EA terms.

What Should Organizations Do?

1. Review your EA agreement

Check your EA expiry date, current price level, and Online Services coverage. Any new service added after November 1 will be licensed at Level A pricing.

2. Model the potential cost impact

Moving from Level B or C to Level A typically results in a 6–12% increase. Analyze how this change affects your annual total cost. Our expert team is available to help you forecast costs and identify optimization opportunities in your current setup.

3. Optimize your licensing

Remove unused or inactive users
Change your plan for inactive licenses
Balance Power Platform and Azure resource usage
Contact us for license deployments and to activate inactive features

4. Consider the CSP Model

With the new pricing approach, Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) model is emerging as the preferred path for many organizations. CSP is no longer just an alternative — it’s becoming the strategic choice for modern licensing.

CSP Model: The New Definition of Flexibility and Control

Feature	EA Model	CSP Model
Contract Term	Fixed 3 years	1 month / 1 year / 3 years (flexible)
Payment Model	Annual or upfront	Monthly, annual, pay-as-you-go
Flexibility	Fixed number of users	Add/remove users easily
Pricing	Volume-based	Usage-based
Management	Direct with Microsoft	Through authorized partner
Support	Microsoft	Partner-supported, localized solutions

EA or CSP? Key Considerations

If your EA renewal date is approaching, evaluate early transition opportunities. Under Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience (NCE), moving to CSP offers both operational flexibility and cost control.

At PEAKUP, we help organizations with:

License optimization
Proactive license management
Smooth transition to CSP

— delivering a more strategic and cost-efficient licensing framework.

PEAKUP’s Perspective: A Strategic Opportunity, Not a Constraint

While Microsoft’s EA pricing update may seem like a cost increase at first glance, it’s actually a strategic opportunity for organizations ready to optimize their cloud investments. At PEAKUP, we see this shift as: “A period to optimize cloud investments, simplify licensing processes, and build smarter decision mechanisms.”

We support our enterprise customers through:

Comprehensive EA agreement assessments
CSP transition planning
Guidance on license optimization and governance

Conclusion: As the EA Era Ends, CSP Becomes the Key to Agility

The removal of EA volume discounts signifies Microsoft’s transition from “volume to value” in its commercial strategy. Cloud success is no longer measured by scale of usage, but by strategic management capability.

Now is the time to ask the right question: “Are we still planning to renew our EA — or are we ready to move toward a future-proof CSP model?”

At PEAKUP, we’re here to help organizations turn this shift from a risk into a strategic advantage. For more information or a CSP transition assessment, feel free to contact us.

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A Powerful Start to FY26: Ready for the Future with Our LNCH Event

On September 19th, we came together at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus for our LNCH event, a night to embrace our new goals, celebrate achievements, and experience PEAKUP culture as one. This special evening marked more than just the beginning of a new fiscal year; it was a collective step into shared goals, high motivation, and a strong vision. With its elegant atmosphere, thoughtfully designed flow, and meaningful moments, LNCH became a truly unforgettable experience for all of us.

Our event opened with inspiring keynote speeches from our CEO Ahmet Toprakçı and CSO KadirCan Toprakçı. They presented PEAKUP’s strategic roadmap for FY26, highlighting key growth areas and cultural priorities. Together, we discussed not only where we are headed, but how we will build this journey as one team.

Later in the evening, we honored outstanding teammates with special awards, recognizing not only individual success, but our culture of collective achievement at PEAKUP. Following the award ceremony and dinner, the night concluded with a vibrant concert that energized the entire team.

The LNCH night was a powerful reminder of what makes PEAKUP special: Growing together, succeeding together, and celebrating together. With this motivation fueling us forward, we’ll continue to move toward our vision of carrying society into the future with technology throughout FY26.

We Completed the Business & Human Rights Accelerator Program

In today’s corporate world, transformation is not only about technology but also about values. At PEAKUP, we have taken an important step to place human rights at the heart of our corporate culture in line with our global sustainability vision.

In this context, our Legal & Compliance Director Demet Ceylan Demircan and Senior Project Manager Gamze Mıhçı participated in the Business & Human Rights Accelerator program organized by UN Global Compact Türkiye, further advancing our corporate awareness in this field.

Integrating Human Rights into Business Processes

This six-month global program, joined by 26 companies, aims to help businesses turn their United Nations Sustainable Development commitments into concrete action plans, establish systematic evaluation processes, and ensure alignment with global standards. Throughout the program:

Human rights risks were identified,
In-depth studies were carried out on how to integrate them into processes,
Comparative analyses with international examples were conducted,
A tailored Human Rights Action Plan was created for our company.

“Human Rights–Oriented Business Models Are the Foundation of a Sustainable Future”

After the program, Demet Ceylan Demircan shared the following insight:

“Thanks to the Business & Human Rights Accelerator program, we deepened our awareness of the role of human rights in the business world. We are excited to integrate this approach into PEAKUP’s practices. I believe that human rights–oriented business models are one of the cornerstones of a sustainable future.”

By joining this program, we have once again demonstrated our commitment not only to technology-driven solutions but also to building an ethical, transparent, and inclusive corporate culture. From employee experience to customer relations, we embrace responsible business models that respect human rights in every aspect of our work.

Climbing Higher on the Turkishtime R&D 500 List

Turkishtime has announced its R&D 500 list, one of Turkey’s most comprehensive research studies on R&D. According to the results, PEAKUP secured a spot among the top 500 companies with the highest R&D investments in Turkey, moving up from 246th place last year to 230th this year, further solidifying its success.

A Vision Strengthened by Technology Investment

At PEAKUP, we continuously increase our R&D investments in line with our vision of preparing society for the future through technology. With our products Velocity, SIGNandGO, and PassGate, we support organizations in their digital transformation journeys, while our AI solutions, automation technologies, and innovative projects bring added value to the business world.

The projects we carry out in our R&D center aim to boost organizational efficiency, enhance employee experience, and deliver sustainable solutions for businesses. We design technology not only to meet today’s needs but also to address the demands of the future, remaining a reliable partner in companies’ digital journeys.

This achievement is not only a testament to our dedication to R&D but also a reflection of the PEAKUP team’s hard work and commitment. We thank all our colleagues who made this possible and will continue to shape technology with innovative ideas both in Turkey and in global markets.

We Have Earned the “Infra and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization” Status!

As developments in the IT world continue rapidly, the need for organizations to modernize their technological infrastructure is increasing. Providing the right solutions to meet this need and supporting organizations in their technology transformation is becoming more important every day. At PEAKUP, we continue to expand our competencies to accompany our customers’ transformations in the safest and most efficient way possible.

In this context, we are proud to announce that we have earned the “Infra and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization” status. With this new expertise, we support organizations in smoothly migrating their infrastructure and databases to Microsoft Azure, offering strategic consultancy that ensures cost savings and operational efficiency.

With this new specialization, we reinforce our commitment to deliver top-tier services and continue preparing society for the future through technology.

Along with this new achievement, we are honored to hold the following Microsoft expert badges:

Modern Work
Security
Data and AI (Azure)
Digital and App Innovation (Azure)
Infrastructure (Azure)

and the following advanced specialization certifications:

Advanced Specialization: Low Code Application Development
Advanced Specialization: AI & Machine Learning on Microsoft Azure
Advanced Specialization: Information Protection & Governance
Advanced Specialization: Threat Protection
Advanced Specialization: Infra and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure

What Do Microsoft Badges Mean?

Modern Work: Providing solutions to meet the demands of the modern workplace, enabling businesses to work more efficiently and flexibly.
Security: Delivering security solutions to protect business data and create a safe digital working environment.
Data and AI (Azure): Optimizing decision-making processes and fostering innovation with data and AI solutions.
Digital and App Innovation (Azure): Enhancing business competitiveness through digital transformation and app innovation solutions.
Infrastructure (Azure): Strengthening technological infrastructure to increase operational efficiency.

We Have Earned the “Threat Protection Advanced Specialization” Status!

The continuous advancement of technology brings new threats and increases the importance of protecting against them. Moreover, the growing variety of security threats requires expertise and knowledge from different domains to take effective measures. In this context, we continuously adapt to change and take necessary precautions to protect against new threats.

We are proud to announce that we have earned the “Threat Protection Advanced Specialization” status, which validates our competencies in data security and threat management. Through our solutions, we prevent threats and protect data, enabling secure technology transformation for our customers.

With this new specialization, we reinforce our commitment to deliver top-tier services and continue preparing society for the future through technology.

Along with this new achievement, we are honored to hold the following Microsoft expert badges:

Modern Work
Security
Data and AI (Azure)
Digital and App Innovation (Azure)
Infrastructure (Azure)

and the following advanced specialization certifications:

Advanced Specialization: Low Code Application Development
Advanced Specialization: AI & Machine Learning on Microsoft Azure
Advanced Specialization: Information Protection & Governance
Advanced Specialization: Threat Protection

What Do Microsoft Badges Mean?

Modern Work: Providing solutions to meet the demands of the modern workplace, enabling businesses to work more efficiently and flexibly.
Security: Delivering security solutions to protect business data and create a safe digital working environment.
Data and AI (Azure): Optimizing decision-making processes and fostering innovation with data and AI solutions.
Digital and App Innovation (Azure): Enhancing business competitiveness through digital transformation and app innovation solutions.
Infrastructure (Azure): Strengthening technological infrastructure to increase operational efficiency.

PEAKUP Earns “Information Protection & Governance Advanced Specialization” Status!

At PEAKUP, alongside our existing Security Solutions expert badge, we are proud to announce that we have earned the “Information Protection & Governance Advanced Specialization” status, which further validates our expertise in data security and management.

With this new specialization, we reinforce our commitment to delivering top-tier services to our customers and continue preparing society for the future through technology. We are honored to be the FIRST PARTNER in Turkey among local partners to hold the following Microsoft expert badges:

Modern Work
Security
Data and AI (Azure)
Digital and App Innovation (Azure)
Infrastructure (Azure)

as well as the following advanced specialization certificates:

Advanced Specialization: Low Code Application Development
AI & Machine Learning on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization
Information Protection & Governance Advanced Specialization

What Do Microsoft Badges Mean?

Modern Work: Providing solutions tailored to the needs of the modern workplace, enabling businesses to work more efficiently and flexibly.
Security: Delivering security solutions to protect business data and create a safe digital work environment.
Data and AI (Azure): Enhancing decision-making and driving innovation through data and artificial intelligence solutions.
Digital and App Innovation (Azure): Increasing business competitiveness through digital transformation and app innovation.
Infrastructure (Azure): Strengthening technological infrastructure to boost operational efficiency.

We look forward to continuing our journey supporting customers in their digital transformation with confidence and excellence.

Our “Cloud Computing Technologies” Courses Have Started at AREL University!

Another step forward in connecting the transformative power of technology with young minds and shaping the future of the industry: PEAKUP has begun delivering “Cloud Computing Technologies” courses at AREL University!

🎓 Taking Responsibility to Involve Young Minds in the Industry!
As a pioneer in cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies, we embrace the responsibility to engage young talents and contribute to their education. We are committed to doing everything we can to support their development and inclusion in the tech sector.

💡 Our Cloud Computing Technologies Courses Are Now Underway!
The courses at AREL University are designed to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills in cloud computing. Delivered by experienced and expert professionals, these classes aim to deepen students’ understanding of the technology landscape.

🌐 Shaping the Future of Technology!
At PEAKUP, we will continue to connect young minds with technology and prepare them for the future. We’re dedicated to spreading the transformative power of technology to more people and strengthening our leadership in the industry.

🚀 Stay Tuned for More!
Thank you for joining us on this important journey to bring technology closer to the next generation. We’ll keep sharing updates on our latest developments and collaborations in the tech field. Stay connected!

We also extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making the “Cloud Computing Technologies” courses at AREL University a success.

Our Training Has Begun Within the “Top 100 Women Leaders in Technology” Project, in Collaboration with Wtech!

We’re taking another important step to increase the representation and empowerment of women in the tech world! At PEAKUP, in partnership with Women in Technology Association (Wtech), we have launched our training sessions as part of the “Top 100 Women Leaders in Technology” project.

📚 Data Analytics Training Underway! Hosted by PEAKUP and organized through Wtech, the 60-hour data analytics training has officially started. Delivered by experienced consultants, this program aims to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills in data analytics.

💡 Thank You to Everyone Supporting This Initiative! Through this valuable collaboration, we aim to strengthen women’s presence and influence in the technology sector. We appreciate everyone who has contributed, made this possible, and participated in the process.

🌟 Stay Tuned for More! At PEAKUP, we are committed to making the transformative power of technology accessible to all and advancing gender equality. We’ll keep sharing every step of this journey with you—stay connected!

Thank you for joining us on this important mission to nurture the next generation of technology leaders.

Collaboration Between Özyeğin University and PEAKUP

Özyeğin University Industrial Design Students Reach New Heights of Creativity in Partnership with PEAKUP

Fourth-year Industrial Design students at Özyeğin University delivered a true design feast through a collaborative project with PEAKUP, conducted as part of Dr. Zeynep Karapars’s studio course. Created to empower their career paths after graduation, this project pushed the boundaries of the students’ creativity to a whole new level.

The students involved in the project not only demonstrated their design skills but also stood out with a visionary approach that reflects the future trends in design. The resulting works combine aesthetics with functionality, offering a visually stunning experience for viewers.

The PEAKUP jury carefully evaluated the project outcomes and praised the students for their remarkable design talents and innovation. Special emphasis was placed not only on their product design capabilities but also on the fresh and impactful perspectives they brought to the design world.

The standout projects highlighted the students’ technical proficiency alongside their strong aesthetic sense. The PEAKUP team congratulated the future design leaders, motivated by the positive feedback given on their work.

Özyeğin University’s Industrial Design Department continues to encourage students to gain real-world experience through such inspiring collaborations. We believe this project will not only highlight the students’ academic achievements but also help them leave a lasting mark on the industry with their creativity and vision.