Insight advises on Microsoft price hike

Microsoft’s largest UK reseller Insight has weighed in the software giant’s plans to align its UK volume licensing pricing to the euro . The changes – which the reseller says could mean price increases of up to 20 percent – will affect all volume licensing customers within the EU and EFTA countries from July 1 2012.

Says Ashley Gatehouse, EMEA VP of marketing at Insight UK: “Clearly Microsoft is seeking to establish consistent pricing across Europe and obviously this has implications for our clients depending on the prevailing currency rates.”

The exact extent of any price changes in July will be determined by future exchange rates between the pound and the euro.  However, explains Gatehouse: “Insight will be advised by Microsoft on May 1 of exact changes, however analysis of current European and UK pricing indicates a potential uplift on existing Microsoft UK pricing of 20 percent on some products is possible.”

The firm says it is currently advising its customers on the potential price hike: “We sell more Microsoft Volume licensing products than any other Microsoft partner,” says Gatehouse. “We urge any organisation that has concerns to contact us immediately and we will be able to assist and advise them.”