Changes announced to Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) Benefits

Microsoft have announced some significant changes to their Software Assurance benefits, which will impact across many Microsoft Agreement types, but will have particular effect on organisations with an Enterprise Agreement in place.

The changes affect three of the most commonly used and valued Software Assurance (SA) benefits: Deployment Planning Services; Training Vouchers; and 24/7 Support. Planning Services & Training Vouchers will be phased out, and support criteria will be updated. Microsoft’s logic behind this is in line with their transition from on premise to Cloud models; future emphasis will be on deployment delivery via FastTrack support, updated certification processes, and the Unified Support model. Although this decision matches Microsoft’s own business transformations, it will come as a blow to businesses that have grown to depend on these services, particularly partner planning support which is highly valued.

 

Takeaways: There are a number of key timelines to be aware of; this is important to anyone with current benefits, as they will need to be consumed before the services are removed. Particular attention should be paid to the Feb 2020 date to convert Training Vouchers to Partner days, as this deadline is looming.

To discuss how these SA benefit changes impact your organisation talk to you regular Micromail account manager or email info@micromail.ie to organise a call.

Planning Services:

February 1, 2020

•Cloud service options retired from SA catalogue

February 1, 2021

•Accrual of new planning days ends

•Last day to create Planning Services vouchers for new/renewing contracts

June 30, 2021

•Last day to create Planning Services vouchers for existing contracts

January 31, 2022

•Last day to redeem Planning Services vouchers for existing contracts

Training Vouchers:

February 1, 2020

•Azure training courses removed from catalogue

•Training Vouchers to Planning Days conversion ends

February 1, 2021

•Accrual of new Training Vouchers ends

•Last day to create Training Vouchers for new/renewing contracts

June 30, 2021

•Last day to create Training Vouchers for existing contracts

January 31, 2022

•Last day to redeem Training Vouchers for existing contracts

24/7 Support:

February 1, 2021

Ending

•Accrual of 24×7 PRS incidents

•Incident conversions towards Premier/Unified Support

Launching

•For customers with more than US$250K/year SA spend:

•As-needed basic phone support for Severity A

•Online support during business hours for Severity B and C

•24-hour response time

•Credit towards a Unified Support agreement