With microsoft sa, you are guaranteed your business will not be left behind. As a software assurance customer, you may be entitled to planning service days, which can be used for deployment planning engagements with microsoft services or qualified microsoft partners. Windows 10, office 365, office 2016, power bi, azure, windows 8. If you do not have your access id, contact your software assurance benefits administrator or microsoft sales representative.
Microsoft visual studio ultimate with msdn software assurance series sign in to comment. Software assurance upgrade benefits for licenses are automatic. Before you update a site, stop antivirus software on the configuration manager servers. May 22, 2006 be sure to check out all of the software assurance benefits that are also included when you add software assurance to your oem office licenses within 90 days, such as. Apr 03, 2020 software assurance for volume licensing offers a range of tools and resources to help your company deploy, manage, and maximize your volume licensing purchases. What to know about upgrading to windows server 2016 with. Dec 23, 2014 as i have explained before, a software license is a set of rights granted to you by the manufacturer that governs how you use the software. Why microsoft software assurance customers never win the. Windows 10 enterprise upgrade w software assurance pack. So, if we purchase enterprise upgrades under vl without sa for windows 10 enterprise anniversary update, the license could be perpetual, but it would really be usable for for the support life of anniversary update 12. Software assurance by product microsoft volume licensing. The longterm servicing channel receives update releases containing security updates and nonsecurity updates. Customers should refer to their agreements for a full understanding of their rights and obligations under microsoft s volume licensing programs.
This license includes microsoft software assurance. Your organizations software assurance benefits administrator receives an access id after clicking activate on the 24x7 benefit in the volume licensing service center vlsc. Software assurance sa is microsofts discounted offer to prepurchase future upgrades of the software title one carries sa on. With software assurance, the cals are also usable on the upgraded product. Click on any software assurance benefit name for a brief description. Software assurance, announced on may 10, 2001, radically changed the rules. Microsoft software assurance offers rights to upgrade to the latest version without incurring additional licensing costs. With software assurance, you receive access to new versions of licensed software released during the term of your agreement to deploy at your own pace. If you purchase cals without software assurance, then the cals are only valid for that version of windows or lower. Faq about esu for windows server 20082008 r2 and sql. What is microsoft software assurance and how do i access it.
Microsoft makes significant licensing changes softwareone. On the create an incident select a payment option page, select use my software assurance agreement. The antivirus software can lock some files that need to be updated which causes our update to fail. Microsoft marks end to upgrade program techrepublic. This engagement focuses on a roadmap and journey for upgrading from skype for business to microsoft teams. When rozas joined microsoft in 2000, the software titan offered a software upgrade program.
Windows 10 enterprise upgrade w software assurance pack windows 10 enterprise features include all the capabilities that customers get with windows 10 pro, plus premium features designed to provide the mobile productivity, security, manageability, and virtualization needs of todays organizations. For most microsoft select plus licenses, software assurance is an optional addon. Microsoft s overhaul of its premier support organization the services unit that provides business customers with help, planning and education is known as microsoft unified support and. For customers without software assurance, we recommend customers move to azure sql database managed instance for their sql server 2008 environments.
Mpsa customers go to the microsoft business center. Checklist for 2002 configuration manager microsoft docs. Windows virtual desktop access rights vda enables users to access virtual instances of windows in a variety of user scenarios. Software assurance benefits microsoft volume licensing. But heres the catch you must provide microsoft with sufficient documentation to receive the extra licenses. Visit software assurance to learn more about planning services and other software assurance benefits. May 23, 20 if you purchase cals with software assurance, and keep the license current usually every 2 3 years, then you are also covered for new releases of windows. Reimaging by using commercial licensing fullversion. Entitlement summary commercial and government offerings new version rights licensed products with software assurance coverage can be upgraded to the latest version of that product made available during the covered period. Customers with software assurance can upgrade from system center 2016 or 2012r2 to system center, version 1801. Beginning with the october 2016 release of the version 1606 baseline media for configuration manager, you can specify the expiration date of your software assurance agreement. For instance, without software assurance, you wouldnt be able to use windows 2000 server cals on windows server 2003. Most large companies offer software assurance like a part of the licensing agreement.
Windows 10 free upgrade eligibility microsoft community. Software assurance by benefit microsoft volume licensing. Upgrade protection, elearning, home use rights, etc. It has been updated to reflect windows software assurance per user licensing and to reflect that microsoft now refers to the volume licensing agreements formerly in. No change of architecture for the initial free upgrade. Im giving away millions of free microsoft ebooks again, including. Go to microsoft software assurance support page and click on submit request. When you purchase a windows 10 enterprise upgrade license through volume licensing, you can also acquire software assurance for that license. Microsoft software assurance benefits royal discount.
Microsoft volume licensing frequently asked questions. Customers can also migrate to payasyougo azure virtual machines. Software assurance office professional 2016 oem microsoft. Software assurance often includes an additional set of rights that give you more freedom with the software. Expert offers tips on microsofts software assurance program. Software assurance for volume licensing offers a range of tools and resources to help your company deploy, manage, and maximize your volume licensing purchases. Download microsoft software assurance interactive benefits. The number of planning services days you are eligible for depends on the type and number of qualified software assurance licenses you have. Software assurance benefits help you take full advantage of your investments in it.
Software assurance is an offering for microsoft volume licensing customers that provides customers with benefits such as the ability to spread payments over three years, new version rights, support, tools, and training. My question is about the transistion of software assurance from ws2012 to ws2016. Plan your sharepoint deployment a benefit for microsoft volume licensing software assurance. Microsofts new unified support plan may result in price. Volume licenses can be purchased with software assurance,a microsoft program that provides additional benefits beyond the core volume license including software version upgrade rights at no additional cost, a home use purchase program providing a significant discount for purchasing an additional license for home use e. Windows 7 software assurance i am using winows 7 pro x64 and i would like to get a new product key for windows xp x64 to load on another hard drive on the same windows 7 pc for dual boot. When a new version of microsoft office is released during the term of your agreement, your licenses are. The semiannual channel, with its more frequent release cycle, does not receive update releases. Software assurance for volume licensing includes a range of benefits that span microsoft software and services. Take advantage of enhanced features and technologies with premium software editions reduce the costs of buying new software windows 7 enterprise available exclusively to microsoft software assurance customers, windows 7. Software assurance is an agreement between your company and microsoft. What is included in my microsoft software assurance benefits.
Microsoft windows 10 enterprise upgrade with software. As outlined in the product list, for any licensed product covered with active sa, youre given the right to upgrade and run the latest version of that product that is made available during the coverage. Microsoft software assurance sa is a microsoft maintenance program aimed at business users who use microsoft windows, microsoft office, and other server and desktop applications. The value and benefit gained under microsoft volume licensing programs and through use of microsoft software and services may vary by customer. On the software entitlement form, there are new licensing types to support microsoft software assurance licenses microsoft upgrade licenses are upgraded to stepup licenses contentrelated upgrade information. Before you update a site, back up the site database at the cas and primary sites. Software assurance coverage is required to take advantage of stepup licensing. Select the product and problem for which you need support.
After paying for five years for a windows upgrade, the majority of microsoft software assurance customers never deployed it. And what the microsoft support tech told you is correct. Microsoft software assurance support incident submission. Adding software assurance to your oem office licenses. Software assurance planning services helps guide your customers through the deployment and business value planning stages of software implementation. Software assurance helps boost organizational productivity with 24x7 technical support, deployment planning services, enduser and technical training, exclusive technologies and rights, and the latest microsoft software releases and unique technologiesall in one costeffective. Client licensing with sa required for sccm imaging. How long does my microsoft software assurance last. Microsoft software assurance what it is and how it applies. By delivering planning services engagements, you have the opportunity to generate more leads, drive enterprise agreement renewals, and get paid by microsoft. Microsoft announced retirement of software assurance deployment planning services and software assurance training voucher benefits on september, 2019. Just as the program has changed, says rozas, so have the reasons to invest in it. Software assurance spans a broad range of microsoft software and services, including windows, microsoft.
Software assurance benefits across microsoft volume licensing programs. Microsoft is updating software assurance sa through changes to sa benefits, starting in february 2020. Software assurance sa is a comprehensive microsoft maintenance program that unlocks the full flexibility for accessing and running the latest versions of your licensed products. A comprehensive program that includes a unique set of technologies, services, and rights to help deploy, manage, and use microsoft products efficiently, software assurance helps keep your business up to date and ready to respond quickly to change and opportunity. Licensing and branches configuration manager microsoft. This update also resolves crosssitescripting xss vulnerabilities that exists if microsoft sharepoint server does not correctly sanitize a specially crafted web. Thank you and have a wonderful day, eric ligman microsoft us senior manager small business community engagement. Windows 10 enterprise features include all the capabilities that customers get with windows 10 pro, plus premium features designed to provide the mobile productivity, security, manageability, and virtualization needs of todays organizations.
Apr, 2017 if you have a server with 20 cores running windows server 2012 with software assurance, then microsoft will grant you 20 core licenses for windows server 2016. Microsoft announced today changes to their software assurance sa benefits offerings that will be gradually rolled out starting in february 2020 and fully implemented by january 2022. Microsoft software assurance benefits g ultima is a microsoft tier 1 partner g microsoft gold partner gold devices and deployment g provider of endtoend deployment services g 24x7x365 microsoft technical support services g mcp accredited consultants g microsoft lsp and enterprise software advisor planning and design services. What happens after my microsoft software assurance expires. First, it gives organizations the rights to use microsoft s newer emerging software if an organization is still covered by sa for that. Microsoft licensing is the single largest it expense for many. Existing software models and entitlements are updated with downgrade rights content.
New software assurance is only available when purchased with a new license. Microsoft announces changes to software assurance benefits. Sa offers significant benefits to assist people upgrade and also get more from their existing software. Software assurance benefits can only be renewed before their twoyear term expires not after. See the vlsc software assurance guide for detailed, stepbystep instructions for accessing and using planning services. Microsoft commercial licensing software assurance microsoft partner 500 equivalent employees. Microsoft has also announced, effective october 1st 2019, a material update to its longstanding outsourcer licensing terms that will impact customers who have purchased licenses without software assurance sa and mobility rights assigned to dedicated host infrastructure services, provided by a discrete list of named listed providers. Purchase software assurance for office 2016 professional plus to enable office roaming user rights so that can user can access office suite on network server when offsite. Purchase pc with windows 10 pro and office 2016 professional oem versions. For more information, see the software assurance faq. To have any chance of getting a free upgrade to 10 pro the upgrade path for you is windows 7 pro windows 10 pro.
Learn more about the software assurance training vouchers benefit learn more about the software assurance elearning. The program covers microsoft technologies and services and includes new product version rights, technical and enduser training, deployment planning, and support. Gregor kneitz, who is a microsoft senior product manager for volume license programs will provide information about these benefits and will answer your questions about how to access it. A new windows enterprise edition standalone upgrade offering, not requiring software assurance sa coverage. Vlsc windows 10 upgrade licenses ms licensing spiceworks. The core premise behind sa is to give users the ability to spread payments over several years, while offering free upgrades to newer versions during that time period. Among other things, new version rights for software assurance can be one of the more attractive and valuable sa benefits. Get more out of your microsoft software and services. Microsoft visual studio ultimate with msdn software. Skype for business to microsoft teams upgrade planning. Software assurance availability and benefits vary by volume licensing program and region. If your organization has or plans to invest in sa, you will need to understand how these changes will impact your ability to accrue, redeem, and consume these benefits moving forward. These limitations include a limited feature set, limited upgrade options, and a separate product support lifecycle.
Software assurance early termination microsoft community. Visit microsoft software assurance or contact your microsoft volume licensing reseller. The engagement focuses on assessing the current infrastructure, examining use cases, and identifying blockers in order to complete an upgrade to microsoft teams. Active software assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. Software assurance benefits sa provides three benefits. Can i renew my microsoft software assurance benefits through the donation program. Upgrade license in any commercial licensing program. Chart data includes descriptions and eligibility summaries for all software assurance benefits including new version rights, 24x7 problem resolution support, windows enterprise edition, license mobility, and others. Type your software assurance access id and email address you use to access the vlsc and click continue.
The number of planning services days you are eligible for depends on the type and number of software assurance licenses you have. Nov 07, 2011 microsoft is leveraging the immediacy and urgency of security updates to force customers into paying for software assurance. How can a customer calculate the esu price of the following situation. When a new version of microsoft office is released during the term of your agreement, your licenses are automatically upgraded to the new version. Since then, it has evolved into todays software assurance program, a very different offering than when it was simply an upgrade program. The software assurance support provides business hours support with a 24hour response time goal. Park, however, said that the figure could come closer to 50 percent. Jun 30, 2004 microsoft estimates that only around 10 percent to 30 percent of the upgrade advantage customers will move to software assurance. Microsoft adds option to buy windows enterprise edition.
Are my microsoft product licenses still valid after software assurance expires. Microsoft volume licensing microsoft software assurance. The traditional office desktop suite becomes much more valuable with the addition of exchange, skype for business as well as office 365. How to use or renew your software assurance benefits techsoup. October 20, 2011, harri daniel, comments off on benefits of software assurance. Steven, i n simple terms, what exactly is software assurance and why is it so important with microsoft licenses sk. Microsoft updates to software assurance sa, beginning. Commercial licensing brief type here reimaging licensed. Microsoft changed this month how it offers its windows enterprise edition licensing. Benefits included with microsoft software assurance. After ga of windows server 2016, customers are encouraged to inventory their environment using appropriate tools, including software inventory logging sil, or thirdparty inventory tools. Roll over the to see entitlement descriptions for individual benefits. Protect your software investment and ensure that you have access to the most current technology. For devices that do not qualify for windows software assurance such as thin clients, you can access windows software assurance benefits by purchasing the windows vda subscription.
Microsoft s software assurance gives you automatic access to new technology and provides productivity benefits, support, tools, and training to help deploy and use software efficiently. Using software assurance, microsoft has crafted a program that promises savings, while often costing businesses even more for software. The right to install the software on more than one machine. Microsoft includes two years of free software assurance with most volume licensing products it donates through techsoup. All select plus licenses are perpetual, meaning that they never expire whether purchased with or without software assurance. Sa benefits include software upgrades during the term of the coverage, enduser elearning, 24x7 web support, and access to microsofts comprehensive technical. You can help protect yourself from scammers by verifying that the contact is a microsoft agent or microsoft employee and that the phone number is an official microsoft global customer service number. Tech support scams are an industrywide issue where scammers trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services. Solved when is software assurance required with windows. As a software assurance customer, you are entitled to planning service days, which can be redeemed for deployment planning engagements with microsoft services or qualified microsoft partners. With microsoft s 24month software assurance, your licenses will receive all updates and upgrades on this product for a period of 24months from the date of issue of the license. Microsoft software assurance elearning courses provide interactive selfpaced training, designed to help employees get more out of using a broad range of microsoft products. Plans include a broad range of microsoft software and services, including windows, microsoft office, exchange, system center, sql server, and many others.