Microsoft Licensing, Optimisation, Negotiation & Technology Strategy Advisor.
Independent counsel on Microsoft licensing optimisation, Copilot & AI strategy, pre and post negotiation planning and enterprise renewals — from someone who spent nine years building & negotiating these deals from inside Microsoft.
Neil Cockerham
PrincipalFormerly Microsoft · Global banking · Technical leadership
26
Years at Microsoft
0
Conflicts of interest
100%
Confidential
(a) The story
Fractional Microsoft Advisory from someone who has sat on the other side of the table.
26 years at Microsoft, with 9 years building and leading complex enterprise deal negotiations. Before that, global banking account teams and technical leadership roles. NeilC AI Consulting is fractional Microsoft advisory — independent counsel on Microsoft licensing optimisation, Copilot & AI strategy, pre and post negotiation planning and enterprise renewals, with no product on the line and no vendor to protect.
Experience
9 years
Negotiating Microsoft enterprise deals, after time in global banking account teams and technical leadership.
Independence
Conflict-free
No reseller, no product, no incentive but your outcome.
Confidentiality
Discreet
Sensitive commercial conversations handled with total discretion.
Perspective
From inside
How Microsoft thinks, explained in plain commercial terms.
(b) The advisory
Six ways to work together.
Focused, senior-level support — engaged for the decisions that matter, scoped to what you need.
01
Enterprise Agreement renewal advisory
Advisory support through an EA or MCA-E renewal, from the first Microsoft conversation to signature.
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02
Copilot & AI licensing counsel
An independent read on a Copilot, Copilot Chat or agent-based commitment before it is signed.
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03
Azure commitment & MACC review
A defensible consumption position before an Azure commitment is fixed for the term.
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04
Licence baseline assessment
An evidence base of what you own against what is actually used, ahead of any negotiation.
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05
Board & leadership briefing
A private session for executives and non-executives on what is being signed and where the risk sits.
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06
Second opinion on a proposal
A fast, conflict-free read on a quote, renewal paper or reseller recommendation already in hand.
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Blog
Notes on Technology & AI perspectives, Microsoft licensing optimisation, Copilot readiness and renewal negotiation.
Blog
The Productivity & Efficiency Trap: Why Squeezing Every Drop Makes Us Fragile
Is 100% utilisation really a good thing, or is it the most risk you can take?
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Blog
Before You Tie AI Spend to a MACC: Five Things to Test
I've set out five things to test before you commit to AI spend in a Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment; and linked them to my AI Spend Estimator so you can model a low, likely and high range.
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Newsletter
Blog and licensing notes, monthly.
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