Software Assurance Benefits
Microsoft Software Assurance is a comprehensive maintenance programme
that can help you gain control of your technology strategy, improve IT
staff skills, reduce spending on IT support, and effectively plan for
new software deployments.
New and Enhanced Benefits
Since March 2006, enhancements to Software Assurance benefits offer
customers 24x7 business-critical support, improved deployment and
manageability, greater cost savings, and more technology protection.
Software Assurance benefits are designed to help you realize the full
value of your software investment throughout each stage of the software
lifecycle, whenever you need it.
Stage 1:
Plan
Build your business around the technology, budget more effectively, and
simplify the software procurement process.
New Version Rights
Enable organizations to deploy new releases of Microsoft software as soon as
they become available.
Spread Payments
Provides companies that want greater flexibility in managing technology expenditures the ability to make annual payments, instead of one upfront payment.
Stage 2:
Deploy
Get the most value out of your software with planning services that help you discover and design solutions for your business
SA Package Services
Microsoft extends their deployments services and adds SharePoint to the
deployment workshops. A new way of measurement to qualifying workshop days have
been introduced and number of days can extend beyond 15 days. You will be able
to perform more workshops in more locations. Number of days can also be divided
between DDPS and SDPS days.
Desktop Deployment
Planning Services
Enable
you to assess and evaluate the business value of upgrading your Microsoft
Office and Windows Client software, and deploy it more easily.
SharePoint Deplyment Package
Services
Get more from your productivity applications and fully leverage the
capabilities of your IT infrastructure.
Stage 3:
Use
Take advantage of the latest technology and build better technology deployment, migration, and management skills
Windows Vista Enterprise
Helps large organizations lower deployment and management costs and better protect critical data.
Training Vouchers
Provide your IT teams with free training on select courses designed by Microsoft and delivered by Microsoft Certified Partners in your area. Eligible customers can receive additional vouchers.
With Insight you will in 2008 be able to purchase a service where Insight administrates your training vouchers and if you choose to cooperate with our selected CPLS-partner, we will be able to enhance the value of training vouchers even further.
Microsoft E-Learning
Uses simulations,
demonstrations, animations, hands-on exercises, and assessment to help employees
upgrade skills and knowledge.
In
2008 Insight will be offering you to set up a e-learning service where you will
be able to improve you e-learning giving you better control of the e-learning
content as well as improved reports of e-learning useage. Something that is not
available through the regular SA-program.
Home Use Program
Allows workers more flexible workspace options so they can be connected and productive from home.
Employee Purchase Program
Gives employees significant discounts over retail pricing on Microsoft’s most popular productivity and consumer products.
Enterprise Source Licensing Program (ESLP)
Provides eligible customers with 1,500 or more licensed desktops access to Microsoft Windows source code for internal development and support.
Stage 4:
Maintain
Maintain a stable IT environment through services, tools, and reference materials to support networks and desktops
24 x 7 Problem Resolution Support
Lets you stay continuously connected with Microsoft for your support needs through phone and Web support.
Corporate Error Reporting
Reports
system crashes and gives IT staff the ability to monitor and review error
information to control deployment of fixes.
In November 2007 CER was retired from the SA Benefit
Program. Clients who had activated the benefit now have perpetual rights to CER.
Clients who had an active SA agreement s between 31st of July and
31st of December can free of charge use Desktop Error Monitoring as a
substitute for the remainder of the license agreement
Click
here for a guide to access DEM.
"Cold” Backups for Disaster Recovery
Provides complimentary "cold” backup server licenses in the event of a disaster.
TechNet Plus and TechNet Managed Newsgroups
Gives access to TechNet Managed Newsgroups and subscription media, featuring Microsoft Knowledge Base, software updates, utilities, drivers, and how-to articles.
Stage 5:
Transition
For customers that need to transition their software, Microsoft offers technology and support benefits
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs for Software Assurance
A Windows-based operating system for customers with legacy PCs who are running legacy operating systems and are not in a position to purchase new hardware.
Extended Hot-fix Support
Enables hot-fixes for products on-demand, which means there are no initial registrations or fees prior to the time you need to activate the benefit. Only applies to customers with a Microsoft Premier Support-agreement.
