Unmasking Free Licenses: Maximizing Power Platform
The Fallacy of Free Licensing for the Power Platform: Why Free is Not Cheaper
I will speak in Vegas later this year at the 2024 Power Platform Community Conference, and this is the title of my session.
I will delve into the often-misunderstood realm of "free" licensing for the Power Platform.
1. Despite the allure of cost savings, the reality of free licenses, mainly those "seeded" through M365, E3, and E5 plans, is fraught with limitations and hidden costs that can significantly impact business operations' long-term viability and security.
2. Understanding the concept of free licensing and its apparent benefits sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the critical aspects often overlooked by organisations. A significant focus will be on the limitations caused by the exclusion of Dataverse, a cornerstone for high security and governance within the Power Platform ecosystem.
3. I will highlight the operational and financial implications of relying on low-security, low-governance solutions like SharePoint, which increase the risk profile and contribute to the accumulation of massive technical debt.
4. I will compare the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for organisations leveraging free versus paid licensing.
5. I will expose the hidden expenses associated with maintenance, security breaches, and system inefficiencies often accompanying solutions built using free licenses.
6. By contrasting these with the long-term benefits and value of investing in Managed Environments and premium connectors through paid licensing, I will show how to maximise return on Power Platform investments.
I want to show tech and business leaders that they can take a more informed and strategic approach to leveraging the Power Platform, ensuring that organisations can fully capitalise on its capabilities to drive business transformation and growth.
I don't want this session to be like I am pushing a Microsoft line on premium licences, but one of real value to adopting a premium approach. Also, I would like people to exit the session thinking this is a no-brainer.
How would you argue for premium licences?
Get in touch to find out how I can help.
