Businesses are taking a hard look at every line item in their expenses
With rising interest rates, increasing National Insurance contributions, and budgets under pressure, businesses are taking a hard look at every line item in their expenses. IT spending is no exception. Licensing fees from both Microsoft and VMware are climbing, and with Windows 10 support ending, organisations must decide whether to invest in costly upgrades to Windows 11—or review and explore a smarter, more cost-effective alternative.
Are You Overspending on Microsoft Licences?
For years, businesses have defaulted to an all-in approach with Microsoft licensing, ensuring every employee has an E3 or E5 licence regardless of whether they need its full capabilities.
What this means is that many users—especially those in customer service, back-office functions, or field roles—primarily use Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive in a browser.
A Microsoft 365 E1 licence provides access to these core productivity apps in the cloud, without the cost of a full desktop suite. If these employees aren’t using desktop-installed Office applications or advanced security features, why continue paying for them?
Switching just a portion of your workforce to E1 could significantly reduce licensing costs while maintaining full productivity.
And there’s a way to save even more.
ChromeOS: The Smarter Way to Cut IT Costs
Pairing E1 licences with Chrome devices or ChromeOS Flex drives even greater savings, tackling both software and hardware costs:
- Skip the Windows 11 hardware refresh – Windows 10 support ends this year, leaving businesses with what they believe is two choices: invest in costly upgrades or risk running outdated, unsupported systems. ChromeOS Flex offers a third option: repurpose existing devices into secure, high-performance endpoints at no additional hardware cost.
- Lower hardware expenses – Chrome devices are more affordable than Windows laptops, with enterprise-grade security built in. Why overspend on high-spec Windows machines?
- Reduce IT overhead – ChromeOS removes the need for third-party antivirus, constant patching, and expensive endpoint management tools, easing the strain on IT teams and reducing overall maintenance costs.
Security and Compliance Without the Complexity
One of the biggest concerns around IT transformation is security. But ChromeOS has never been hit by a ransomware attack. That’s because it runs on a read-only, tamper-proof OS, eliminating the vulnerabilities that traditional endpoints face.
For organisations worried about integration, ChromeOS fully supports Active Directory, meaning businesses can deploy ChromeOS without rearchitecting their entire IT environment.
Whether for a subset of users or a business-wide move, it’s a flexible and seamless transition.
A More Strategic Approach to IT Spending
In a year where every pound counts, businesses need a more nuanced approach to IT investment. A mixed estate—where employees get the right tools for their actual needs—helps optimise spending while maintaining security and productivity.
Before committing to another expensive Windows upgrade cycle, take a step back. Does every user in your organisation truly need a full Microsoft licence and a high-spec Windows machine? If the answer is no, talk to us.
By combining Microsoft E1 licensing with ChromeOS, businesses can cut software costs, extend the life of existing devices, and streamline IT management—all without sacrificing productivity or security. And in today’s economic climate, that’s not just a cost-saving measure, it’s a strategic advantage.