Schaeffler is a global automotive and industrial leader. When they reached out to 2Data, they were facing a critical Microsoft Azure renewal. With heavy infrastructure reliance and strategic IT projects on the horizon, the organization needed to balance cost optimization with continuity. However, cloud consumption forecasts remained uncertain, limiting the company's ability to commit to higher spend levels. To navigate this, the company engaged 2Data to secure better terms without escalating financial exposure.
→ Contract renewal approached with uncertainty around future cloud needs.
→ Pressure to achieve cost reductions without increasing Azure commitments.
→ Sought to improve commercial terms despite limited consumption flexibility.
→ Benchmarked Azure pricing against comparable enterprises.
→ Introduced strategic leverage through multi-cloud alternatives.
→ Developed and executed a negotiation plan tied to both direct savings and indirect cost avoidance.
→ Secured approximately 10% additional savings without increasing baseline consumption.
→ Improved pricing and contractual terms without added commitments.
→ Gained internal alignment across IT and procurement.
→ Reinforced cloud cost governance aligned to financial targets.
The client operated under a significant Azure commitment with Microsoft. As the contract approached renewal, the organization lacked clarity on upcoming project consumption—especially in relation to long-term digital transformation goals. This uncertainty constrained their ability to increase spend, while Microsoft’s pricing trends posed a material risk to budget control.
The client had already realized basic cost controls and retained a flat Azure footprint. Without additional consumption to trade off, securing better terms required more strategic leverage and evidence-based positioning.
With no room to expand contractual volume, negotiations had to deliver savings through insight and pressure—not traditional volume-driven concessions. The company needed a trusted partner to navigate Microsoft’s licensing playbook and execute a winning strategy.
2-Data began by conducting deep market analysis of Azure pricing across peer industries. This illuminated gaps in the client’s existing commercial terms and provided a factual foundation to anchor demands in the negotiation.
While the client was not planning an immediate shift, 2-Data used multi-cloud capability as leverage in negotiation. This added credible risk for Microsoft and positioned the client as a sophisticated buyer with options.
Beyond pure rate reductions, 2-Data introduced demands for soft savings—such as billing flexibility, term improvements, and support enhancements. This broadened the negotiation scope and created value beyond pricing alone.
2-Data supported the client’s IT and procurement leaders throughout the process, providing real-time intelligence and proposal drafting support. The negotiation strategy was tightly integrated with internal goals and decision-making processes.
The client achieved approximately 10% incremental savings over existing Azure terms, despite not increasing their contractual baseline. This was accomplished through strategic pressure and precise benchmarking.
No additional consumption was committed, preserving the client’s flexibility. The final agreement delivered stronger pricing, contractual protections, and optimized value.
The negotiation process built trust across IT, finance, and procurement. Stakeholders gained a more transparent view of Microsoft’s pricing structure and confidence in future renewal planning.
“I was really impressed by the commitment to success and the detailed market insights brought in by the 2Data consultants, and I can highly recommend 2Data as a trusted advisor.”
— Hans-Werner Forkel, Schaeffler
As Microsoft cloud pricing models continue to evolve and consumption commitments grow, enterprises need to move beyond traditional negotiation tactics. When volume is flat or uncertain, market intelligence and structured pressure become essential levers.
2Data’s approach shows how even constrained scenarios can yield cost savings and contract improvements if the right strategy is applied.
2Data’s approach demonstrates how deep analytics, persona-driven modeling and negotiation anchored in benchmark insight can deliver real cost relief while preserving operational agility.
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2Data is an independent software licensing advisory specializing in Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Salesforce and IBM optimization. We help companies reduce contract costs, manage risk, and simplify their software licensing.