Should I add Copilot to my EA?

In-Depth Answer

Adding Microsoft Copilot to your Enterprise Agreement (EA) to “pilot” or “test” will depend on your scenario. Key reasons to consider adding Copilot in minimal quantities include:

• You love it! You can’t wait to pay full price because of the value, value, value! More seriously…
• The overall agreement is discounted in ways to achieve the desired cost outcome.
• You’re getting something else – services, software, etc. – that offsets the spend.

Some gotchas to consider include:

• If you have a high initial quantity, Microsoft may demand a contract-long commitment
• The future pricing table can make a larger commitment non-negotiable
• Other costs are likely to increase with use of AI solutions

Key alternatives include:

• Propose an extended free pilot in conjunction with the 30-day trial
• Use a non-EA program for monthly or annual commitment, pricing isn’t locked
• Seek an amendment that enables you to negotiate a future large purchase
• Depending on your functional needs, consider the many alternative providers for AI
• Do nothing…

…which means you’ll be doing something else: pushing back against Microsoft’s aggressive sales efforts. Especially those who bought the original 300 minimum, and now are seeking to downsize. Because… “Microsoft. Who’s in your wallet?”