The Microsoft SA Benefit that ain’t
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/11/26/9145211.aspx
you can try to describe it any number of ways…but for a small business, the 'Packaged Services' that are part of the Software Assurance Benefit just plain old ain't a benefit. As with most things Microsoft, the reality is that Small Business is, well, an afterthought. The only exception that I can think of is SBS. I will not bore the reading public with a re-iteration of the SA Benefits that come with Open Value or with Open Business L+SA. The biggest benefit is the upgrade assurance, and for most Small Businesses, a budget able $ figure is worth it… But then Microsoft, in its greatest manner possible sent out a notice to ALL Open Value and Open Business L+SA about some…well I'll show what it was…
From: Microsoft Volume Licensing Services [mailto:msvlop@microsoft.com]
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 3:22 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Packaged Service Enhancement Announcement{~19198381:1~}
Dear XXXXXXXXXXX: |
This e-mail is from the Microsoft® Worldwide Software Assurance team. |
We are pleased to announce that effective November 2008 the Software Assurance Packaged Service benefit will include two new voucher types. These voucher engagements will be available in 3, 5, 10 and 15 day service levels. |
- Exchange Deployment Planning Services (EDPS)
The EDPS engagement is designed to help guide you through the deployment planning stages of a Microsoft Exchange implementation. Structured engagements are conducted by pre-qualified EDPS partners, who will share best practices, analyze your organizational requirements, and help create comprehensive deployment and implementation plans.
|
Business Value Planning Services (BVPS)
The BVPS engagement is designed to help you identify, unlock, and capture the business value of Microsoft Office System. Through structured engagements, a pre-qualified BVPS partner will work with you to identify and design improvements to an existing business process using Office System technology. BVPS can assist you with:
- Realizing a greater return on your existing Office System technology investment
- Solving real problems that you and your employees face every day with a familiar technology platform
- Building a convincing business case to drive change and improve your business processes
- Receiving a 3rd-party solution analysis and services through Microsoft Certified Partners that are pre-qualified as BVPS providers
|
For more information about the Packaged Services benefit and all of the available planning engagement types, please visit:
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/packagedservices.mspx |
Thank You, |
Microsoft Volume Licensing Services Team |
On the surface it's seems like a pretty good deal…what they don't mention is that this customer does not actually qualify for any of these benefits…OUCH!!! As Eric points out in the referenced blog post at the top, is that…
- How many licenses of Office, Core CAL, or Enterprise CAL does a customer need to buy to qualify for these Packaged Services?
- The chart showing how many days they receive for each level of purchase is included in the Microsoft Product List; however, the minimum level of purchase for either the Office pool or the Server pool is 200.
Please do note that he says specifically the minimum level of purchase for either the Office pool or the Server pool is 200. Now, please take a moment to read his post and follow any and all of the links you like, tell me exactly how long it takes you to find that in all the 'stuff' Microsoft has on that link, there…
Further, show me what it takes for a Small Business to qualify for say BVPS…200 licenses of Office. Well we've already determined that Small Business, via the SBS model is cut off at max 75…so HOW ON EARTH IS THIS A BENEFIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS. IT AIN'T. I think it's a great benefit, to those that can get it, but it should start with the buy in of Open Business…5. Now I understand that Microsoft is trying to extend additional benefits, especially in these trying economic times, and they are trying to get enterprises engaged with Partners, I really applaud that. But do you mean to tell me that the great Microsoft Database (SQL 2008 Enterprise Edition I presume) can't filter out those that don't actually qualify for these benefits, and don't bother them with it. Yea, it did give me an opportunity to talk to my client, but without fail, each and every one of them said…
"THANKS FOR NOTHING"