11. May 2026
Why the Purchase of Pre-Owned Microsoft Licences Is a Timely Topic for System Integrators
Spending on software, applications and cloud services now accounts for up to 30% of total corporate costs—and the trend is rising. Forecasts suggest these costs will continue to grow by around 7% annually, outpacing both inflation and revenue growth. System integrators and IT service providers are well aware of this challenge and feel the pressure their clients are under. At the same time, significant value often remains untapped when migrations, consolidations or strategic shifts lead to surplus software licences. Microsoft distributor MRM highlights that capturing these assets and reselling them can deliver tangible financial benefits.
Recovering Budget from Existing Assets
Microsoft licences that are no longer actively used still hold market value. By systematically identifying and selling these assets, organisations can release tied-up capital and redirect it towards new investments. What may appear as “obsolete stock” on the client side is, from a financial perspective, capital that is simply lying idle. A look at current buy-back prices illustrates this clearly: in March of this year, MRM paid a public-sector organisation €148 per licence for Office 2024 Standard. Even relatively small volumes can therefore generate meaningful returns, while larger environments can unlock substantial budgets.
For example, AOK Niedersachsen sold 2,000 unused Office licences to MRM, resulting in a five-figure return to its IT budget. Likewise, adelphi—a think tank focused on climate and sustainable development—faced the question: “What should we do with Exchange, Office and CAL licences that are no longer required?” Rather than letting them remain unused, the organisation transferred them to MRM and reinvested the proceeds to support its transition to the cloud. For system integrators, this opens up an additional dimension in client advisory. Beyond procurement and operations, the management of existing licence inventories becomes a strategic topic. Those who proactively address this can reduce costs, enable projects and position themselves as value-adding partners in their clients’ planning processes.
Hybrid IT Strategies: Why Used Software Remains Relevant in Cloud Environments
Felix Reichlmair, Head of Sales at MRM Distribution, sees used Microsoft products as a valuable asset even in cloud-based environments: “Companies everywhere are under financial pressure. In this context, adopting a cloud-only approach and exposing organisations to continuously rising subscription costs is not a logical choice.” Instead, he recommends hybrid IT strategies, where both cloud and on-premises solutions are combined—alongside the use of used Office and server licences. “While purely subscription-based models generate ongoing costs, used perpetual licences typically amortise within two to three years, remain as assets within the company and retain potential resale value.” The financial difference between cloud-only and hybrid approaches can be significant: savings of 30–40%, combined with attractive margins for partners facilitating the resale of licences.
End of Support for Office and Exchange 2016/2019: Used Software as an Upgrade Option
Reichlmair also recommends used software for organisations facing the end of support for Office and Exchange 2016/2019: “As an IT service provider, you deliver real value to your clients by upgrading them to used Office 2024 licences. New licences are unnecessarily expensive, and a full transition to the cloud is not always advisable. Used software offers the most cost-efficient path to modernisation.” To ensure compatibility, audit compliance and full legal certainty—and to guarantee that clients benefit from the optimal mix of solutions—MRM’s Microsoft specialists provide comprehensive advisory support.
The buying and selling of used software therefore serves as a strong alternative to a fully cloud-based approach. It offers system integrators a practical tool to actively control rising IT costs. Taking a holistic view of the Microsoft licence lifecycle allows organisations to address one of their largest IT cost drivers—creating not only savings, but also additional budget for future investments.
Published in ITBusiness (PDF – DE).
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