Microsoft Software Assurance Planning Services - Did you know?
With the next wave of Microsoft Products and Services streaming through to General Availability I am sure you will agree that 2013 is going to be a very important (busy) year for those of you looking at upgrading your current infrastructure to the latest release or even implementing some of the new products available to you.
It became apparent when speaking with various organizations over the course of this year that they did not know all the entitlements they had as a Microsoft Volume Licencing Customer with Software Assurance Benefits, one of the main benefits being Planning Services. Microsoft Software Assurance Planning Services offer structured consulting engagements to help ease your implementation planning of Microsoft software and optimize your business processes. Planning Services engagements bring you Microsoft technology expertise, insight into software functionalities, tools and resources, delivered by a Microsoft certified partner or Microsoft Consulting Services consultant qualified to address your unique needs.
Watch Microsoft Software Assurance - Planning Services Video
Planning Services offer four types of consulting engagements:
- Desktop Deployment Planning Services
- SharePoint Deployment Planning Services
- Exchange Deployment Planning Services
- Business Value Planning Services
Software Assurance benefits vary by Volume Licensing program, such as an Enterprise Agreement or Open Value Agreement, and by the number of qualifying licenses you have enrolled in Software Assurance. You can use your benefit days for multiple engagements at varying locations for any of the Planning Services mentioned above.
Your organization is eligible for these benefits if you participate in any of the following:
• Open Value
• Open Value Subscription
• Select License Software Assurance Membership
• Select Plus Software Assurance Membership
• Enterprise Agreement
• Enterprise Subscription Agreement
The Software Assurance license count is calculated at the initial sale and increases with additional purchases of qualifying licenses. The number of Planning Services days is determined by a combination the number of qualifying Microsoft Office Application Licenses and the number of Core CAL Suites and Enterprise CAL Suites for which you have Software Assurance coverage. The Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) website will track the number of available Planning Services days and allow you to create one or more vouchers of the desired type and service level.
You can increase the number of days by converting Software Assurance IT Training days into Planning Services days at a 3:1 rate (three IT Training days equal one Planning Services day), limited only by the number of IT Training days you have available.
• Use the Software Assurance resources and tools to check your organization’s benefits at www.microsoft.com/softwareassurance.
• Access and manage your Planning Services days using the Volume Licensing Service Center at https://licensing.microsoft.com.
A tailor-made solution
Designed specifically around your company’s needs and resources, Microsoft Planning Services are custom fit to your organization, and available exclusively through Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing. Find out more about how we can help you plan your deployment at: www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/packagedservices.mspx
Software Assurance helps boost productivity
Software Assurance helps boost productivity across your organization with benefits that help you get the most out of your Microsoft software including 24x7 support, deployment and business planning services, end-user and technical training, and the latest software releases and unique technologies, all in one cost-effective program. To learn more about Software Assurance and all the benefits it provides to your organization, visit www.microsoft.com/softwareassurance.
I hope that this helps you move forward into the new Era of Microsoft Products & Service.
:-)
James.