Microsoft Software Assurance Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
General......
Productivity
Support and Tools
Training
General
What is Software Assurance (SA)?
Software Assurance is an offering for Microsoft Volume Licensing customers. It provides you with the ability to spread payments annually and gives you the assistance and tools you need to help keep your servers and desktops running, with software upgrades that keep you up to date.
What are the key benefits of Software Assurance?
Software Assurance is designed to address your needs through a number of benefits, including:
- Easier budgeting
- Efficient deployment and ease of administration
- Productivity enhancements through training and support
What’s new in Software Assurance?
Software Assurance now includes more features for the same price, including business-hour problem resolution support, access to Managed Newsgroups and Online Concierge Chat, and Microsoft’s self-paced training courses. Desktop and server offerings include different features.
Have any features been removed from Software Assurance?
No, nothing has been removed.
How much does Software Assurance cost and when does it expire?
For any Microsoft server product, Software Assurance costs 25% of the License price for each year of coverage. For any Microsoft desktop product, it costs 29% of the License price for each year of coverage. This price has not increased despite the addition of new benefits. Coverage begins at the time you and Microsoft both accept the agreement, and expires at the same time as your volume licensing agreement.
Which server products can I cover with Software Assurance?
You can get Software Assurance for the current version of any Microsoft server software product listed below when you acquire the license, or within 90 days of purchasing through retail or OEM.
- ApplicationCenter
- Host Integration Server
- BackOffice Server
- ISA Server
- BackOffice Server w/BackOffice CAL
- ISA Server Enterprise Edition
- BizTalk FinServ Enterprise
- MOM Application Mgmt Pack
- BizTalk FinServ Standard
- MOM Operations Manager
- BizTalk HIPPA Enterprise
- Project Server
- BizTalk HIPPA Standard
- Proxy Server
- BizTalk MQSeries Enterprise
- SharePoint Portal Server
- BizTalk RosettaNet Enterprise
- SQL Server Enterprise Edition
- BizTalk RosettaNet Standard
- SQL Server Standard Edition
- BizTalk SAP Enterprise
- System Mgmt Server
- BizTalk Server Enterprise
- Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- BizTalk Server Standard
- Windows 2000 Server
- Commerce Server Enterprise
- Windows NT Server
- Commerce Server Standard
- Windows NT Server- Enterprise
- Content Mgmt Server Enterprise Edition
- Windows NT Server- Terminal
- Exchange Conferencing Server
- Windows Server Enterprise
- Exchange Server – Enterprise
- Windows Server Standard
- Exchange Server- Standard
How do I get Software Assurance?
Any Microsoft Volume Licensing reseller offers Software Assurance, and it is available through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. It’s acquired with the corresponding License you wish to cover.
When do I get Software Assurance?
You can acquire Software Assurance when you get the underlying software product License. Coverage begins upon acquisition, and ends when your volume licensing agreement expires, at which time you have the option to renew through a new licensing agreement.
For OEM licenses or licenses acquired at retail, you have 90 days from the purchase date to acquire Software Assurance for that product by contacting the volume licensing reseller through whom you have your Volume Licensing agreement.
Do I have to get Software Assurance to use Microsoft software?
No, Software Assurance coverage is optional. If you choose not to get Software Assurance coverage, you may continue to use your original software. However, you will need to acquire new licenses when you do choose to migrate to a newer version.
Do I have to cover all my desktops and servers with Software Assurance?
No. Microsoft offers the flexibility for you to choose which desktops and servers you cover. Microsoft recommends covering all your servers and desktops, or at least all of your servers within a particular solution, so that it will be easier for you to manage. The benefits of Software Assurance pertain only to those particular desktops and servers covered with Software Assurance.
i have software assurance on my server. Do I get Software Assurance for my CALs in order to receive the server support benefits?
Yes. For products you have licensed using the server/client access license (CAL) model, you need to acquire Software Assurance for both the server License and for all CALs accessing that server.
Do I have to acquire Software Assurance for every processor license on my servers?
Yes. For products you have licensed using the per-processor license model, you need to acquire Software Assurance for each processor license in order for that server to be covered.
Am I guaranteed at least one major new product version with Software Assurance?
With Software Assurance, you receive the right to run the current version of the product as well as any new versions released during the term of your coverage. While Microsoft certainly intends to continue enhancing products, there is no guarantee that a new version of any particular product will be released during the term of your agreement.
If I don’t get Software Assurance, do I still get fixes and security patches?
Yes. Microsoft is committed to providing the best, most integrated, and most secure software in the world. Fixes and security patches will be available to all customers just as they have always been, regardless of whether or not you have acquired Software Assurance.
Productivity
A key element of Software Assurance is productivity. You can access the latest technology when you need it, and choose to spread out payments annually. Individual employees also have access to benefits such as home use rights and to discounts on Microsoft products for their personal use.
How DO spread payments work?
With spread payments you have the option to spread payments annually instead of one up-front payment. This allows you to reduce up-front costs associated with software acquisition, while gaining access to more robust technology solutions. It also helps you forecast your annual software budget up to three years in advance.
What are New Version Rights?
New Version Rights provide customers with Software Assurance the ability to run the most current release of software that is commercially available.
What IS the Home Use Program?
The Home Use Program allows employees of organizations with Software Assurance for the desktop to receive products available in Microsoft Office System to install on their home computers. They can use the software for business or personal use, and they only pay for the media and the shipping and handling. Microsoft Office System includes Microsoft Office, FrontPage, InfoPath, OneNote, Project, Publisher, and Visio. There is a limit of one copy per licensed device.
What are the costs for the Home Use program?
Employees pay for the media and handling and shipping for their copies of the software.
How does the Microsoft Employee Purchase Program work?
The Microsoft Employee Purchase Program, available with Software Assurance for the desktop, offers your employees up to a 30% discount off the estimated retail price (ERP) for dozens of Microsoft products. Using the same software and home and at work provides flexibility and increases productivity. Employees can order products directly through a secure, Microsoft hosted e-commerce site.
What products are available for the Employee Purchase Program?
Dozens of Microsoft retail products (software, hardware, and Microsoft Press) are available for your employees’ personal use. Through a secure, Microsoft-hosted Web site, employees can order software directly from Microsoft whenever it’s convenient for them.
How does my company track Software Assurance benefits?
You can access your Software Assurance benefits consumption reports through Microsoft Volume Licensing Services (MVLS), a password-protected Web site that serves as a license management tool.
When will these new benefits of Software Assurance be available?
The new benefits of product problem resolution support, training, and other benefits will be available beginning in the summer of 2003.
I already have Software Assurance. Do I get the new benefits?
Yes. You can begin using the new benefits for those licenses already covered with Software Assurance in the summer of 2003. This applies to all customers with active Software Assurance, including Upgrade Advantage and Enterprise Agreements.
I already have some server licenses. Can I get Software Assurance to cover them?
Software Assurance can only be acquired at the time you acquire the initial License.
I have Software Assurance on some of my servers. does that mean I can use the benefits of Software Assurance across all of my licenses?
No. As in the past, the upgrade and now the new support benefits of Software Assurance are limited to only those Licenses for which it has been acquired.
Is Software Assurance available and consistent world wide?
Yes. Software Assurance is available worldwide. Specific offerings and language availability varies from region to region.
If I am a server customer and I acquire Software Assurance through the Open License, what do I get?
All Open License Software Assurance customers get budget forecasting, predictability, and several features. Specifically in the Open License program, you get spread payments, TechNet Online Concierge Chat, access to online training courses, and the rights to run to new versions released during the term of your agreement.
If I am a server customer and I acquire Software Assurance through an Open subscription license (osl) or Multi Year Open (MYO), what do I get?
All OSL & MYO agreement Software Assurance customers get TechNet Plus, Extended Lifecycle Hot-fix Support, telephone or Web support requests, New Version Rights, and eLearning modules.
If I am a server customer and I acquire Software Assurance under a Select License or Enterprise Agreement, what do I get?
All Select License and Enterprise Agreement Software Assurance customers get Web-based or telephone support, TechNet Plus, Extended Lifecycle Hot-fix Support, eLearning, and New Version Rights.
Do I get all of the new benefits of Software Assurance if I have an Enterprise Subscription Agreement?
Yes, but only if you have also acquired Software Assurance on both the server licenses and the corresponding Client Access Licenses obtained through one of Microsoft’s other Volume Licensing programs. Since the Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement is available only for desktop products (i.e. Microsoft Office Professional, Microsoft Windows Professional, and Core Client Access Licenses), server licenses need to be acquired under another volume licensing program. The Software Assurance obtained on your Core Client Access License under your Enterprise Subscription Agreement is all you need, along with Software Assurance on your server licenses, to be entitled to all of the new benefits of Software Assurance.
Support and Tools
Your organization has access to Microsoft support professionals, resources, and tools to help IT staff efficiently deploy software and problem resolution support to help keep business systems running.
What support and tools are available for the desktop?
Software Assurance for the desktop includes TechNet Online Concierge Chat, Enterprise Source Licensing Program (ESLP) for eligible customers, Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE), and Corporate Error Reporting (CER). Availability varies by offering and region.
What is TechNet Online concierge chat?
TechNet maximizes productivity with a host of resources to help your IT professionals plan, deploy, and maintain Microsoft products. TechNet Online Concierge Chat is a convenient self-help learning environment for IT professionals that includes Online Concierge Chat Web-based assisted search and premium content Web site access.
What is Online Concierge CHAT?
The Online Concierge Chat is a one-on-one Web-based assisted search with a Microsoft online advisor who helps IT professionals find the resources they need within the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base, at the TechNet Web site, and at other Microsoft online resources. Online Concierge Chat increases efficiency in finding the right technical data in 24x7 Web-assisted search sessions.
What premium content is available?
TechNet Online Concierge Chat provides access to a wealth of premium content, including how-to articles, service pack downloads, security hot fixes, briefings, and white papers to help IT professionals deploy and manage Microsoft software.
What is Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)?
A tool based on Microsoft Windows XP Professional that allows IT professionals to build custom solutions that speed up deployment through automation so they spend less time and effort keeping desktops updated. WinPE can run Windows setup, scripts, and imaging applications.
What is the Enterprise Source Licensing Program (ESLP)?
Eligible customers with 1,500 or more licensed desktops can access Microsoft Windows source code for internal development and support. IT staff can make adjustments and improvements to systems and related applications, and implement improved debugging to help maintain security and protect against viruses and other computer hazards.
What is Corporate Error Reporting?
It is a tool that allows IT professionals to monitor and review error information so they can control deployment fixes and resolutions.
What tools and support are available for servers?
Software Assurance for server licenses includes problem resolution support, TechNet Plus, Extended Support Lifecycle, Microsoft Windows PreinstallationEnvironment (WinPE), Corporate Error Reporting. Availability varies by offering and region.
What is TechNet Plus?
TechNet Plus is a convenient self-help learning environment for IT professionals that provides access to TechNet Online Concierge Chat, plus Managed Newsgroups and TechNet Plus Subscription Media.
Why do I need the support benefits in Software Assurance if I already have a Premier Support agreement with Microsoft?
Software Assurance and Premier work together to provide total coverage for your server environment. Software Assurance provides Web or business hour telephone support to identify and resolve problems. Premier Support gives you total environment coverage by supporting products without Software Assurance, and upgrades your Software Assurance Problem Resolution Support phone coverage to 7x24, with improved response time. In addition, Premier also offers a wide range of services designed to resolve issues before they become problems, all of which are managed through a Premier Technical Account Manager.
Do I call someone different for support on my servers now under Software Assurance than I do for my Premier support incidents?
No. You still submit your problem resolution requests just as you’ve always done in the past, regardless of whether you’re contacting us for a License you’ve covered with Software Assurance or whether you’re using an incident acquired as part of your Premier Support contract. The same well trained and experienced support professionals that assist you today are there to answer your Web or telephone questions. Note that as part of Software Assurance, you’ll be given a Software Assurance Access ID that you will be asked to supply when contacting Microsoft for problem resolution requests under Software Assurance.
What kinds of support issues can I contact Microsoft about for Licenses covered with Software Assurance?
The types of issues covered by Software Assurance are characterized as responsive, technical operational problems. When software problems start to impact your business operations, you need fast, reliable support with the depth of resources needed to resolve your problem as quickly as possible, and Software Assurance now helps you get the support you need.
Issues which are more proactive and consultative in nature are not covered under Software Assurance, but are still available from Microsoft under our Premier Support Program.
Does Software Assurance give me 7X24 phone support?
No, the telephone support included with Software Assurance for Enterprise Edition server licenses is business-hour problem resolution support. However, if a customer has both Software Assurance and Premier support, then the Software Assurance problem resolution phone support coverage is upgraded to 7x24.
Can anybody from my organization call for support on a server covered by Software Assurance?
There are limits to the number of callers who can call for support, which are based on the type of licensing program and discount level through which you acquired your Software Assurance. Note that other technology partners that you may have can be listed as parties that can access support under Software Assurance.
What is the Online Concierge Chat I get with Software Assurance?
Online Concierge is a one-to-one web based, assisted search chat session between a Microsoft Online Advisor and a user. It offers the ability to quickly sort through the wealth of information located on Microsoft.com, enabling IT professionals to more effectively self-help and troubleshoot problems internally.
What is the difference between Online concierge chat and TechNet Plus?
TechNet Online Concierge Chat offers:
- Access to one-on-one, Online Concierge Chat with a Microsoft Online Advisor who can help locate relevant technical information
- Access to secured premium content such as session downloads, hands-on lab materials, sample code, sponsor downloads, and streaming media from various Microsoft events
TechNet Plus offers TechNet Online Concierge Chat, and
- Access to Managed Newsgroups, staffed by Microsoft engineers and developers
- TechNet Plus Subscription Media, which includes monthly delivery of patches, service packs, and security rollups in CD format.
What server products are considered “Enterprise Editions” for the purposes of Software Assurance?