Cumulus Global Offers Easier Public Sector Cloud Purchasing

Managed Cloud Services by Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global Offers Easier Public Sector Cloud Purchasing

Participation in multiple, national, cooperative purchase programs to save schools and local governments time and money.

 

Cumulus Global proudly announces that schools and local governments can now purchase Google Workspace, other cloud services, and related professional services via one of four national cooperative purchasing programs. By participating in these programs, Cumulus Global services and solutions are now available with simplified bidding and quoting processes. Local governments and school systems will save time and money.

“This is a big step forward for Cumulus Global and our public sector customers,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “If we can quote cloud and professional services without extensive bidding and RFP processes, we save time and money.”

By participating in multiple procurement associations, Cumulus Global is more likely to find a match with schools and governments for managed cloud solutions. They can use any of the four procurement vehicles to which they belong: Equalis Group, National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA), OMNIA Partners, or PEPPM Cooperative Purchasing.

“We are meeting governments and school districts where they are,” noted Falcon. “Chances are, we are in a program that your school or local government can use.”

As part of the company’s commitment to added value, the company is transparent with respect to program participation fees. The company will share and pass through these fees as-is, without markups. Local governments and schools interested in learning more can schedule an introductory call with a Cumulus Global Cloud Advisor.

About Cumulus Global

Managed Cloud Services for Small and Midsize Businesses, Governments, and Schools

Cumulus Global (www.cumulusglobal.com) is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, ongoing support, and client success services that help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

For more information, schedule a no-obligation introductory meeting with a Cloud Advisor.

Cumulus Global Awarded 2024 Google Premier Partner Status

Google Premier Partner

Cumulus Global Awarded 2024 Premier Partner Status for Google Workspace

Google recognizes Cumulus Global for expert service delivery and growth.

 

Cumulus Global is proud to share that Google has recognized the company as a Google Premier Partner for Google Workspace.  The award reflects Cumulus Global’s ability to consistently provide high-quality service to its customers and the company’s ongoing commitment to service quality and growth.

 “We are honored to receive Premier Partner status for 2024,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “Our team works hard to ensure our customers move smoothly into cloud services and get the best possible value from their Google Workspace and related services.”

Google awards Premier Status to partners that meet and maintain a rigorous set of standards. These standards include maintaining advanced levels of training and certification, reaching business development milestones, and receiving customer recommendations and testimonials.

Serving small and midsize businesses, governments, and schools, Cumulus Global supports hundreds of organizations and over 30,000 end users throughout North America.

“From sole practitioners to organizations with hundreds of people, we do more than provide subscription licensing and migrate data,” noted Falcon. “Our focus is on helping individuals and teams best use the capabilities of Google Workspace and on helping organizations make sure their data is secure and protected.”

Beyond licensing and ‘support,’ Cumulus Global specializes in delivering Managed Cloud Services. With options that scale to meet your organization’s needs and budget, Cumulus Global’s Managed Cloud Services deliver security, data protection, monitoring, management, support, and professional services in service packages that cost less than traditional MSP services.

About Cumulus Global

Managed Cloud Services for Small and Midsize Businesses, Governments, and Schools

Cumulus Global (www.cumulusglobal.com) is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, ongoing support, and client success services that help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

For more information, schedule a no-obligation introductory meeting with a Cloud Advisor.

Update: Cumulus Global Grows its Sustainability with Evertreen Reforestation Initiative

Cumulus Global Partners with Evertreen to Offset CO2 with Reforestation Projects 

Reforestation

Updated January 8, 2024 — Cumulus Global is expanding its sustainability efforts and its partnership with Evertreen, increasing monthly plantings to 100 trees.  Planting forests in Honduras, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and the Philippines, will improve both the ecology and economies in areas near the forests.  Each month, trees planted will remove over 72 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This is equivalent to the amount of CO2 created by 188 cars driving over 1,000 miles in cars getting the average miles per gallon in the United States.

 

August 10, 2023 – Westborough, MA – Cumulus Global announces a dramatic expansion of our company’s sustainability efforts. Partnering with Evertreen, Cumulus Global is supporting reforestation projects in four countries trees. Joining a reforestation program helps the company offset emissions from commuting, business travel, and other business activities. Each monthly planting will remove over 4.2 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.  This is equivalent to the amount of CO2 created by driving over 11, 000 miles in a car getting the average miles per gallon in the United States. 

“We are excited about expanding our sustainability efforts in ways that will also benefit local communities around the world,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “This is a creative way that we, as a small business, can make a difference.”

Each month, Cumulus Global will plant at least 7 trees across four projects. The projects are located in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States. Beyond reducing carbon in the atmosphere, the reforestation projects also address local community needs.  Evertreen designs each project to provide local employment. Tree selections help increase local food supplies, prevent soil erosion, and protect local watersheds.

“We chose Evertreen for their holistic approach to the reforestation projects,” noted Falcon. “Their monitoring program and existing partnerships with IT industry leaders further proves their credibility and integrity.”

Beyond planning and planting forests, Evertreen actively monitors the health and growth of its forests with staff on-the-ground and advanced satellite imagery. View a summary of Cumulus Global’s participation, add trees to Cumulus Global’s forest, and learn more about Evertreen.

This tree planting program further extends the company’s sustainability program, that also includes recycling and the use of renewable energy. Since October 2020, Cumulus Global has relied on 100% renewable energy for all of the electricity needs at its main office. 

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, on-going support, and client success services. We help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

About Evertreen

Evertreen (www.evertreen.com) helps individuals and companies offset CO2 emissions by planting trees around the world. In addition to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, Evertreen forests contribute to local economies and ecosystems. As of the date of this post, Evertreen has planted more than 707,700 trees in more than a dozen forests spanning 10 countries. 

Cumulus Global Named to Inc.’s Second Annual Power Partner Awards

Power Partner Award highlights B2B partners that support startups
across all business functions and empower growth

Westborough, MA – Cumulus Global is pleased to share that Inc. Business Media announced the second consecutive inclusion of Cumulus Global in the Power Partner Awards.  The Inc. Power Partner Awards honor B2B organizations across the globe with proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow. The 2023 list recognizes 389 firms in marketing and advertising, information technology, health and wellness, financial services, legal, logistics, and productivity, as well as other areas of business.2023 Inc. Power Partner

“Trusted B2B partners provide guidance and expertise that founders rely on at various steps of their organization’s journey. Partners that possess a demonstrated ability to deliver quality support are at the core of entrepreneurship and help bring big ideas to life,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Business Media. 

Cumulus Global, like all 389 winners, received top marks from clients for being instrumental in helping leadership teams navigate the dynamic world of startups. Like other award recipients, Cumulus Global supports entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams, allowing founders to focus on their core missions. 

“Our team is humbled and honored that our clients appreciate the value we strive to deliver to their businesses,” stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global. “Our managed cloud services go beyond technologies. Our services strive to empower individuals and teams to enable business growth.”

Examples of Cumulus Global services and client success include: End user education programs that boost personal and team online productivity up to 60%; Replacing servers with services to eliminate capital expenditures while lowering operating costs; Active monitoring and management to prevent and catch issues before they impact business operations; and off-loading IT administration, management and support in a co-management model that keeps client in control of their IT environment.

“Many managed service providers shy away from sole practitioners and very small businesses,” Falcon noted. “We have unique service offerings designed specifically for these entrepreneurs and businesses. We design our managed cloud services to be productive, secure, and affordable.

Cumulus Global has four tiers of managed cloud services, allowing clients to match services to their needs and budgets. Small and midsize businesses can move to managed cloud services for less than half the cost of traditional IT and managed service offerings. With the ability to add services needed to meet industry-specific and regulatory requirements, Cumulus Global meets the diverse needs of small and midsize businesses across industries and markets.

To view the complete 2023 Inc. Power Partner list, go to: https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards/2023The November 2023 Issue of Inc. magazine is available online now at https://www.inc.com/magazine and is on newsstands beginning October 31, 2023. 

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, on-going support, and client success services. We help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

About Inc. Business Media 

The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community they need to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Cumulus Global Grows its Sustainability with Evertreen Reforestation Initiative

Cumulus Global Partners with Evertreen to Offset CO2 with Reforestation Projects 

ReforestationAugust 10, 2023 – Westborough, MA – Cumulus Global announces a dramatic expansion of our company’s sustainability efforts. Partnering with Evertreen, Cumulus Global is supporting reforestation projects in four countries trees. Joining a reforestation program helps the company offset emissions from commuting, business travel, and other business activities. Each monthly planting will remove over 4.2 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.  This is equivalent to the amount of CO2 created by driving over 11, 000 miles in a car getting the average miles per gallon in the United States. 

“We are excited about expanding our sustainability efforts in ways that will also benefit local communities around the world,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “This is a creative way that we, as a small business, can make a difference.”

Each month, Cumulus Global will plant at least 7 trees across four projects. The projects are located in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States. Beyond reducing carbon in the atmosphere, the reforestation projects also address local community needs.  Evertreen designs each project to provide local employment. Tree selections help increase local food supplies, prevent soil erosion, and protect local watersheds.

“We chose Evertreen for their holistic approach to the reforestation projects,” noted Falcon. “Their monitoring program and existing partnerships with IT industry leaders further proves their credibility and integrity.”

Beyond planning and planting forests, Evertreen actively monitors the health and growth of its forests with staff on-the-ground and advanced satellite imagery. View a summary of Cumulus Global’s participation, add trees to Cumulus Global’s forest, and learn more about Evertreen.

This tree planting program further extends the company’s sustainability program, that also includes recycling and the use of renewable energy. Since October 2020, Cumulus Global has relied on 100% renewable energy for all of the electricity needs at its main office. 

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, on-going support, and client success services. We help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

About Evertreen

Evertreen (www.evertreen.com) helps individuals and companies offset CO2 emissions by planting trees around the world. In addition to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, Evertreen forests contribute to local economies and ecosystems. As of the date of this post, Evertreen has planted more than 707,700 trees in more than a dozen forests spanning 10 countries. 

Cumulus Global Recognized on the 2023 MSP 501

Company’s Best-in-Class Innovation, Services, and Growth Recognized for Second Consecutive Year on the Most Prestigious List Of Managed Service Providers Worldwide

JUNE 29, 2023 – Westborough, MA – For the second consecutive year, Cumulus Global received recognition in the 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings, landing at 220 on the list. The global ranking identifies premier managed service providers across multiple benchmarks. These benchmarks include: annual sales, recurring revenue, profit margins, revenue mix, growth, supported technologies, and innovation.

2023 MSP

“We are humbled to be compared to some of the best MSPs in the world,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “We have a great team that focuses on helping clients use cloud technologies strategically and tactically. We deliver services that empower employees and teams, and that enable businesses to achieve business results.”

Since its inception 17 years ago, the MSP 501 has evolved from a competitive ranking into a vibrant group of innovators focused on high levels of customer satisfaction. MSPs on the list span small, medium and large organizations in both public and private sectors. Many of their services and technology offerings focus on cloud, security, collaboration and hybrid work forces. 

“The 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 winners persevered through challenging times to become the highest-performing and most innovative IT providers in the industry today,” said Jeff O’Heir, Channel Futures senior news editor and MSP 501 project manager. “The MSP 501 ranking doesn’t award MSPs solely on their size and revenue. It acknowledges the business acumen, best practices and trusted advice they deliver to customers every day. They deserve the honor.”

MSPs that qualify for the list must pass a rigorous review conducted by the research team and editors of Channel Futures. It ranks applicants using a unique methodology that weighs financial performance according to long-term health and viability, commitment to recurring revenue and operational efficiency. 

“As a Managed Cloud Service Provider, our approach to IT for small and midsize businesses differs from traditional MSPs,” noted Falcon. “Our Managed Cloud Services focus on replacing on-premise systems, and the associated capital and operating costs, with cloud services whenever feasible.  We help manage costs while improving productivity, security, and resilience.”

This year’s list is one of the most competitive in the survey’s history. Winners will be recognized on the Channel Futures website. They will also be honored during a special ceremony at the Channel Futures Leadership Summit, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, in Miami, Florida.

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2023 winners, and gratitude to the thousands of MSPs that have contributed to the continuing growth and success of the managed services sector,” said Kelly Danziger, general manager of Informa Tech Channels. “These providers are most certainly driving a new wave of innovation in the industry and are demonstrating a commitment to moving the MSP and entire channel forward.” 

The 2023 MSP 501 list is based on confidential data collected and analyzed by the Channel Futures research and editorial teams. Data was collected online from February to May, 2023. The MSP 501 list recognizes top managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, profit margin and other factors.

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, on-going support, and client success services. We help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.

About Channel Futures

Channel Futures is a media and events destination for the information and communication technologies (ICT) channel community. We provide information, perspective and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including solution providers (SPs), managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs), and value-added resellers (VARs). Our services guide distributors, technology solutions brokerages, subagents, agents, leading technology vendor partners, and communication providers.

Our properties include many awards programs such as the Channel Futures MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry; Channel Partners events, which delivers unparalleled in-person events including Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Channel Futures Leadership Summit, Women’s Leadership Summit, the MSP Summit and Channel Partners Europe; and a DEI Community Group, our initiative to educate, support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the ICT channel industry. Channel Futures is where the world meets the channel; we are leading Channel Partners forward. More information is available at channelfutures.com.

Channel Futures is part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in ICT sector. Every year, we welcome 14,000+ subscribers to our research, more than 4 million unique monthly visitors to our digital communities. More than 18,200+ students attend our training programs and 225,000 delegates attend our events.

Media Contacts

Jeff O’Heir , Channel Futures Senior News Editor, MSP 501 Manager, Jeff.oheir@informa.com

Ginette Andrem, Associate Marketer, VIP Relations, ginette.andre@informa.com

Cumulus Global in the News: Next-Gen Managed Services Featured on HostingAvice.com

Cumulus Global Streamlines IT Operations With Next-Gen Managed ServicesCumulus Global Cloud Solutions

TL; DR: Meet Cumulus Global, a cloud solutions agency that works to streamline and simplify your IT infrastructure. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, tells us how the company aims to help small-to-medium businesses and the education and government sectors better manage their data in the cloud with Next-Gen Managed Services.

Following an interview with Jordan Sprogis of HostingAdvice.com, Cumulus Global was featured for our long-established history of delivery cloud solutions to small and midsize businesses, and our focus on Managed Cloud Services.

Click here to read the full article.

Cumulus Global Recognized on the 2022 CRN® MSP 500 List

2022 CRN MSP 500Company Celebrates 5th Consecutive Year of Recognition as an Industry Leader

For the fifth consecutive year, Cumulus Global proudly shares that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company®, has named Cumulus Global to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category for 2022. CRN’s annual MSP 500 list identifies leading North American service providers with forward-thinking approaches to managed services. Cumulus Global’s inclusion on the 2022 MSP 500 recognizes the company’s through leadership on managed cloud services and the company’s ability to help its customers increase productivity, simplify IT solutions, secure their business, and maximize their return on investment.

“The continued recognition by CRN as a Pioneer on the 2022 MSP 500 List is an incredible honor,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “We appreciate CRN recognizing the differentiation we bring to the market, and our clients, with our managed cloud services offerings.”

Cumulus Global innovates in ways that help small and midsize businesses (SMBs) adapt to changing business conditions. Many SMBs continue recovering from, and adjusting to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cumulus Global leverages cloud services that more effectively and efficiently support remote and hybrid work environments. The company’s Security CPR model provides SMBs with an understandable method of assessing security risks, prioritizing needs, and deploying effective, budget-friendly solutions.

“In addition to having to adjust their own business operations to account for the changed conditions during the pandemic, MSPs have also seen increased demand for their managed communications, collaboration and security services,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “The solution providers on our 2022 MSP 500 list deserve credit for their innovative and game-changing approaches to managed services in these unpredictable times, as well as their ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems without straining IT budgets.”

The economy, markets, supply chains, expectations for work environments, and other business factors remain in flux post-pandemic.  Cumulus Global managed cloud services blend the best aspects of traditional MSP services with a “cloud first” perspective. Leveraging the economies of cloud computing, Cumulus Global offers these robust, secure services at costs below traditional IT services for small and midsize businesses.

The MSP 500 list is featured in the February 2022 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500.

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global is an industry-leading managed cloud service provider with a mission to deliver solutions with tangible value.

  • What We Do: We translate your business goals and objectives into solutions and services.
  • How We Do It: We start with your business needs and priorities. Planning and migration includes guidance to help your team adopt and utilize new services. Your team benefits from co-managed services, on-going support, and client success services that help you adapt as your business changes and grows.
  • What We Offer: Managed cloud solutions featuring Google, Microsoft, and more than three dozen providers.
About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com  

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

The Channel Company Contact:

  • Jennifer Hogan
  • The Channel Company
  • jhogan@thechannelcompany.com

Google Workspace Fee Increase Effective April 11, 2023

Google WorkspaceOn February 11, 2023, Google provided sixty (60) days notice of a Google Workspace fee increase across most licenses.  For many customers, this increase is coming immediately after increased fees related to the transition from G Suite to Google Workspace.

The Google Workspace Fee Increase in Summary

The Google Workspace fee increase primarily impacts subscriptions on the “Flex Plan”, or month to month service.  Flex Plan fees will increase by 20%. This includes all Google Workspace Business, Enterprise, Front Line Worker, Archived User, and Appsheet licenses. The 20% increase also impacts Google Cloud Identity Premium licenses.

Additionally, the underlying annual commitment plan fees for Google Workspace Enterprise Standard is increasing by 15%.  Enterprise Standard Flex Plan licenses will be charged the 20% increase on top of the 15% increase.

Google Workspace Fee Increase Details

For all Google Workspace Business plans, the per-user fees for Flex Plan subscriptions are increasing by 20%. The per user monthly fees will change as follows:

  • Business Starter: from $6 to $7.20 per user per month
  • Business Standard: from $12 to $14.40 per user per month
  • Business Plus: from $18 to $21.60 per user per month

For all Google Workspace Enterprise plans, the per-user fees for Flex Plan subscriptions are increasing by 20%. There is also an increase in the underlying Annual Commit pricing for Google Workspace Enterprise Standard. The per user monthly fees will change as follows:

  • Enterprise Essentials – Flex Plan: from $10 to $12 per user per month
  • Enterprise Starter – Flex Plan: from $10 to $12 per user per month
  • Enterprise Standard – Annual Commit Plan: from $20 to $23 per user per month
  • Enterprise Standard – Flex Plan: from $20 to $27.60 per user per month
  • Enterprise Plus – Flex Plan: from $30 to $36 per user per month

Similar 20% increases will impact Flex Plan pricing across the following licenses:

  • Google Vault
  • Google Workspace Front Line Worker
  • Google Workspace Archived User (all Business and Enterprise licenses)
  • Cloud Identity Premium
  • Google Workspace Appsheet (all Business and Premium licenses)

Impact on G Suite to Google Workspace Transition

If you are still using G Suite licensing, these changes will be in effect as of April 11, 2023 or as of your transition date if your transition occurs after this date. If you are using G Suite on an Annual Commitment Plan, Google will automatically move you to Google Workspace on your annual (or contract) renewal date.  If you are using G suite on a Flex Plan, Google should provide your with 60 days notice of your automatic transition. Google began automatic (forced) transitions earlier this month and will continue until all customers are moved to Google Workspace.

As a reminder: When Google automatically transitions your service from G Suite to Google Workspace, Google will select the licensing that maintains your current feature set even if the transition will double or triple your monthly per user fees. Cumulus Global can manage your transition can discuss options to avoid or mitigate these increases. 

Avoid the Fee Increase

You can avoid this fee increase by converting your service from the Flex Plan to an Annual Commitment Plan.

Flex Plan subscriptions are month-to-month. As such, you can adjust the number of licenses up or down, as needed, each month. Your invoices are in arrears and reflect any changes.

Annual Commitment Plan subscriptions, as the name implies, commit you to one year (or multiple years) of service.  During your Commitment Plan term, you may added licenses at a prorated fee through the end of your term.  Any added licenses increase your commitment. You cannot reduce the number licenses (you can reuse them as employees leave and new employees join your business) and you cannot cancel service until your contract renewal date.

Given the fee increase on Flex Plan subscriptions, most small businesses will NOT save money by remaining on the Flex Plan, even if your license count fluctuates over the year.

  • For the Flex Plan to be less expensive, you would need to reduce your license count by more than the equivalent of 20% of your users for a full 12 months.
  • Example 1:
    • A seasonal business that reduces its staff for 6 months each year would need to reduce their license count by more than 40% to save money on the Flex Plan.
  • Example 2:
    • A business that reduces staffing for the 3 primary winter months would need to reduce their number of licenses by more than 70% to save money on the Flex Plan.

Most small businesses do not have staffing changes this large. Please evaluate your projected costs and consider switching to an Annual Commitment Plan.

Call To Action

Contact us or schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors to discuss your options. We are here to assist you and to ensure you are getting the best value from your Google Workspace services.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Founded in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions, Allen has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.  Having started his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur having started strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.

 

Service Update: Microsoft 365 Fees Increase on January 1, 2023

Cumulus Global 15 Years of ServiceService Update: Microsoft 365 Fees Increase on January 1, 2023.

As previously announced by Microsoft, Microsoft 365 Fees Increase on January 1, 2023.  In addition to increased fees for specific licenses, Microsoft is changing the structure of annual agreements and adding a 20% surcharge for month-to-month licensing.

Why Now?

Microsoft has been working towards these changes for more than a year. They company pushed back the deadline several times as the change coincided with major changes to Microsoft’s partner program. Microsoft has notified customers and partners that all subscriptions will be on the new pricing as of January 1, 2023.

For our customers, Cumulus Global has delayed the impact and fee increases for as long as possible.  We are communicating with our customers individually to address the final deadline.

New Terms and Conditions

With the pricing changes, Microsoft is also changing some of the terms and conditions for the services.  Historically, Microsoft has not enforced commitments on annual agreements; customer were free to change user counts and even cancel without penalty. Going forward, Microsoft will enforce annual subscriptions and terms as firm commitments. Customers may change or cancel within three (3) days of starting an annual term. Customer commit to the number of licenses for the full year. Microsoft is offering a three year commitment option as well, which secures pricing for that period.

If you need or want the flexibility of increasing and decreasing user counts at any time, you will need to opt for month-to-month licenses.  Monthly licensing lacks the commitment but includes a 20% surcharge over fees for an annual commitment.

License Pricing Changes

The following are the fee changes for annual licensing. All fees are listed as per user per month.

  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic
    • Annual: From $5 to $6
    • Monthly: $7.20
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium
    • Annual: From $20 to $22
    • Monthly:  $26.40
  • Office 365 E1
    • Annual: From $8 to $10
    • Monthly: $12
  • Office 365 E3
    • Annual: From $20 to $23
    • Monthly: $27.6
  • Office 365 E5
    • Annual: From $35 to $38
    • Monthly: $45.60
  • Microsoft 365 E3
    • Annual: From $32 to $36
    • Monthly: $43.20

All other Microsoft 365 and Office 365 license fees remain this same with an annual commitment; monthly fees will reflect the 20% surcharge.

Next Steps

Our team is contacting each our customers impacted by the pricing to discuss their options and plan their services going forward.

As we are here to assist any small business with their cloud services, feel free to contact us by email, via our website, or by scheduling time directly with one of our Cloud Advisors to discuss your options and path forward.