January 2009 - Posts
Q: (from Mark & from Carol)
"I had received Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 leaving your event. I kept in my file. When my system crashed with Vista Premium Home Edition last week, I wanted to use this gift from Microsoft. I went to register it for product key to I was not able to do so..."
A:
Those keys were originally set to expire on June 30, 2008. Microsoft extended the activation period to December 31, 2008. But on January, 30th 2009 Microsoft announced another extension for the deadline until June 30th, 2009.
Go to http://www.registerwindowsvistasp1.com to find out more or to activate your complimentary copy of Windows Vista.
Do it now! I doubt if we will get another extension.
Q: (from Peter)
Off the top of your head, would you have some quick points on Volume Licensing that a sales rep should listen out for?
A:
In my opinion, the first thing to listen for is 5 or more licenses of software purchased at one time. You can quote Open Business without SA – it will be cheapest solution and allow ongoing discounts for the next two years.
If the customer is only interested in 4 licenses of software, you need to push for the 5th license in order to get into Open Business. You could cite the some of the Volume License benefits:
- Discounts and incentives (offsets the cost of the 5th piece of software)
- Discounts for the next two years
- Portable use rights (not home use rights)
- Single key activation
- Reimaging rights
Q: (from Nicholas)
Do you know if there are any online demos for Microsoft CRM products? The products the customer is looking at, are below. Thanks,
Mfg # PRODUCT
QCA-00922 OLP DYNAMICS CRM PRO SVR SNGL
ZFA-00109 OLP DYNAMICS CRM CAL SNGL
A:
The answer is “yes” there is an online CRM demo. Go to www.microsoft.com/CRM and you will see a “Try it now!” button. That will take you to an online demo site where you can try CRM for small businesses, CRM for large businesses, or CRM in the cloud.
Q: (from Chuck)
Is it true that they no longer have a TS2 event in Baltimore nor in DC? I have to go to PA or VA to attend?
A:
"No longer" is a harsh way of looking at it. There are not any DC or Baltimore TS2 events scheduled for Q3 (January to March), but there will be some schedule for Q4 (April to June). The content about Software + Services and Windows Essential Server Solutions has not changed much since our October & November events, so the hiatus is reasonable.
Go to www.MicrosoftTS2.com to see a list of our upcoming events.
Q: (from Patrick)
Can you please send me the Windows spiff I saw in your presentation. I can’t find it anywhere.
A:
Are you referring to this system builder (all of the product SKUs must be OEM) offer:
More details can be found at www.ServerOffer.com.
Q: (from Brendon)
If possible I need a refresher on the Map Point 2009.
I want them to have a GPS and the software so they can plan their daily commutes. I believe this is Map Point 2009, but maybe another software too.
A:
Microsoft has two product that both come with GPS units:
Streets & Trips 2009 w/GPS
(http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products_Streets2009GPS.aspx)
And
MapPoint 2009 w/GPS
(http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/en-us/default.aspx)
MapPoint is the more robust tool, but the extra cost is only justified if they plan on doing geographic analysis of Office data. If they really just need to get from point A to point B, Streets & Trips will do.
Q: (from Jeff)
Microsoft has an official Partner Program... And yet, Microsoft does not have an easy way for a Partner to get help.
A:
Have you used the Regional Partner Support (1-800-765-7768)? This is where partners who do not have a relationship with their PCM or an SBSC assigned tele-PAM get support.