We're proud to announce that bluesource has been recognised as a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Microsoft Product Support Services 2026. As part of the representative vendor list, bluesource is the only UK-headquartered provider included in the guide.
The recognition comes at a time when many organisations are reassessing how they procure and manage Microsoft support services. According to Gartner, Microsoft technologies represent a significant proportion of enterprise software and SaaS infrastructure, while Unified Enterprise remains the default support offering for many organisations. However, Gartner notes that customers increasingly face rising support costs linked to Microsoft licensing expenditure and are actively evaluating alternative support models.
A Changing Microsoft Support Landscape
The Market Guide highlights several key trends shaping the Microsoft support market.
Gartner states that the cost of Microsoft's Unified Enterprise support model continues to increase in line with licensing spend, creating challenges for organisations seeking predictable support costs. The guide also notes that Microsoft does not require organisations to purchase support in order to receive security fixes, product updates or maintenance, prompting many businesses to reconsider their support strategy.
The report further highlights growing adoption of third-party Microsoft support providers. Gartner forecasts that third-party providers will account for 25% of the Microsoft support market by the end of 2028, up from 15% in 2023.
Why Organisations Are Exploring Alternatives
According to Gartner, interest in alternative Microsoft support providers has increased significantly since the introduction of Unified Support, now Unified Enterprise. Gartner notes that increasing Microsoft investments in Azure, Copilot and premium Microsoft 365 licensing packages are contributing to ongoing support cost increases.
The guide also highlights that organisations evaluating third-party support are often looking to:
- Improve cost predictability
- Reduce support expenditure
- Access proactive and reactive support services
- Gain more flexibility in service delivery
- Receive support tailored to their specific Microsoft environment
Gartner notes that organisations typically expect savings of between 30% and 60% when moving from Microsoft direct support to a third-party provider.
Supporting Customers Through Growth, Change and AI Adoption
As organisations continue to invest in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Security, Data, and Copilot initiatives, access to knowledgeable and responsive support becomes increasingly important.
For more than two decades, bluesource has helped organisations maximise value from Microsoft investments through expert support, proactive guidance and ongoing optimisation services. Our approach combines deep Microsoft expertise with flexible support models designed to align with customer needs and business outcomes.
John Forde, Managing Director at bluesource, said:
"We are delighted to be recognised as a Representative Vendor in the Gartner Market Guide for Microsoft Product Support Services 2026. As the only UK-based provider featured in the guide, we believe this recognition reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional Microsoft support when the platform is continually changing, helping organisations optimise costs, reduce complexity and maximise the value of their Microsoft investments.”
Helping Organisations Evaluate Their Options
The Gartner guide recommends that organisations proactively evaluate both Microsoft's support offerings and credible third-party alternatives when reviewing their support strategy. It also provides a five-step framework for assessing providers and conducting a risk-benefit analysis.
As organisations face increasing pressure to control costs while supporting cloud transformation and AI adoption, expert support has become a strategic consideration rather than simply an operational necessity.
Being recognised in the Gartner Market Guide reinforces bluesource's commitment to helping organisations successfully navigate that journey.
