Productivity

This is Key to Software Assurance: you can access the latest technology whenever you need it, and choose to spread out payments annually. Individual employees also have access to benefits such as the Home Use Program and to discounts on Microsoft products for their personal use. See below for more on this.

New Version Rights

Get access to the latest versions of licensed Software released during the term of the agreement. This lowers cost associated with acquiring new software, leading to predictable budgeting, and allowing customers to deploy the technology when it is needed.

Spread Payments

THE flexible way to manage your technology expenditures: spread your payments annually over the duration of the agreement. Therefore, reduce initial costs, free up funds for other business activities, and forecast annual software budget requirements up to three years in advance.

For qualifying customers, the Spread Payments benefit offers the option of paying for purchases in three installments: the first one upon signing up for Software Assurance and the other two on the first and second anniversary dates. Each one of the installments also includes the Software Assurance charges for the corresponding period. In the case of purchases made later during the life of the contract, spreading rules change and may allow for one, two, or three payments, depending on the program and time of purchase.

Extended Lifecycle Hot-Fix Support

You can get 10 year support on certain software products!
This service gives customers the option to purchase a HotFix on software that has transitioned from Mainstream to Extended support. Please note that a Premier or Essential Support agreement is a prerequisite for eligibility. With Extended support, customers are only eligible for Non-security Hotfixes with the purchase of an Extended Hotfix Support Agreement.

24x7 Problem Resolution Support

Business - critical phone support for all Microsoft business software, in addition to unlimited web support for all Microsoft Server Products. Use the 24x7 Problem Resolution Support benefit to stay continuously connected with Microsoft.

TechNet Plus

For server licences with Software Assurance, IT professionals can tap into TechNet Online Concierge Chat, and post messages in Managed Newsgroups for timely answers to technical questions from industry colleagues. Microsoft support professionals monitor the newsgroups to help ensure accuracy. IT professionals also have access to TechNet Plus Subscription content, featuring resources such as the knowledge base, utilities, drivers, and how-to articles to help them succeed. The TechNet Plus Subscription Media also includes access to beta release candidate software and evaluation copies of the latest applications.

Cold Back Up for Disaster Recovery

With the "Cold" Backups for Disaster Recovery benefit, you can have peace of mind knowing that mission-critical IT solutions are protected and preserved in disaster recovery situations without requiring the cost of additional licences. Your organization receives complimentary "cold" backup server licences as part of Microsoft Software Assurance. If a disaster arises, "cold" servers (those that are turned off until an emergency situation requires them to be activated) can be moved into production mode so that users can continue to access critical data and applications.

Corporate Error Reporting

The Corporate Error Reporting (CER) benefit gives IT professionals a clear and easy way to monitor and review error information so they can control the deployment of fixes. CER enables IT administrators to manage error reports and error messages created by the error-reporting clients included in Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft programs. CER can then provide the end user with a Microsoft solution or custom solution to rectify the issue. CER lets IT professionals map solutions to system errors by helping them do the following: . Identify which systems are failing and why . Connect to up-to-date knowledge and fixes . Determine next steps when escalation of an issue is required

Desktop Deployment Planning Services

Microsoft Desktop Deployment Planning Services offers 1 to 15 days of deployment planning services, based on the amount of Microsoft Software Assurance purchased on Microsoft Office software. This service introduces the most advanced techniques, processes, and tools to your company. The services you receive are based on your unique needs to help you achieve the most cost-effective desktop environment. They provide the fundamental analysis, business case, process, and technical procedures you need to execute a comprehensive desktop deployment project. Delivered by a participating Microsoft services partner or by Microsoft Consulting Services, these services help you extend the business value of your Microsoft Office or Microsoft Windows software upgrade. Each interactive session of Desktop Deployment Planning Services is collaborative, comprehensive, and based on best practices directly from Microsoft. Your dedicated consultant will create a blueprint. The Zero Touch solution is based on the Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment and Zero Touch best practices from Microsoft. With the Zero Touch solution, network and desktop administrators can automate the deployment process, reducing cost and errors.

Information Work Solution Services

Information work is any activity in your organization that requires the use, transformation, consumption, or management of information. Whether you are a business decision-maker or an IT professional, you face challenges every day as you determine which new technologies will deliver the best cost savings and productivity increases for your organization. Looking for the highest impact from your productivity investments? Microsoft Information Work Solution Services provide a direct and focused approach for increasing the effect that individuals, teams, and organizations have on your business. The services are delivered by a qualified Microsoft provider of your choice. The one-day Information Work Value Discovery Workshop helps business decision-makers develop a prioritized list of projects that will have the greatest impact on their business, with the lowest risk. The two-day Information Work Architecture Design Session gives IT staff and technical decision-makers a clear understanding of the architecture required to implement the highest value information-work projects into their IT environment.

Windows Pre-Installation Environment

The Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) makes IT professionals more productive by providing powerful preparation and installation tools for Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows Server 2003. With Windows PE, IT staff can build custom solutions that speed deployment through automation, enabling them to spend less time and effort keeping desktops updated.

Windows Vista Enterprise

Get a higher return on IT investments with Windows Vista Enterprise. It is designed to help businesses significantly lower IT costs and reduce risks associated with desktop deployment and management. Windows Vista Enterprise has all of the features available in Windows Vista Business whilst also providing higher levels of data protection using hardware-based encryption technology. Only available with Software Assurance.

Extended Training Vouchers 2006

With the Training Vouchers benefit, Microsoft Software Assurance customers receive training vouchers for courses from Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (CPLS), the premier authorised training channel for delivering learning products and services on Microsoft technology. More than 1,600 Learning Solutions partners worldwide offer official Microsoft Learning courses and e-learning in addition to consultative learning services for IT professionals and developers. Use the Training Vouchers benefit to do the following: . Support your software investment by preparing your IT staff to efficiently deploy, maintain, and support new technologies. . Access the instructor-led training and resources you need to prepare your IT staff to successfully deploy or migrate to Microsoft Office and Windows in your organisation. . Use the expanded number of training vouchers to train more staff members across your IT organisation, train current IT professionals on new skills, or fulfill other training needs-without additional cost.

eLearning

Microsoft's eLearning delivers one of the best student experiences, using streaming audio and video software demonstrations, hands-on exercises and animations, and courses designed by professional instructors. Designed by subject matter experts, Microsoft's eLearning courses can be used as traditional training or as a just-in-time reference resource - either online or offline. This flexibility makes it easier for employees to update their skills and stay current on information that can help them work more efficiently.

Home Use Program

Employees can get a licensed copy of Microsoft Office desktop applications, such as Microsoft Office Professional, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Visio Professional, to install and use on a home computer. The Home Use Program benefit enables you to offer employees flexible workspace options that can boost their productivity and enhance their overall work satisfaction. In addition, having access to Microsoft Office applications at home gives employees greater opportunities to improve their skills, which helps to maximize the return on your software investment. The only cost to employees for the Home Use Program benefit is the cost of media (CDs), shipping, and handling. Note: Customers are not responsible for their individual employees' compliance with the Home Use Program Microsoft Software License Terms. Those terms are between Microsoft and the customer's individual employees. We do require that customers limit the Home Use Program access to eligible employees and inform employees of when they should discontinue use of the Home Use Program software in conjunction with a lapse in Microsoft Software Assurance coverage or employment termination.

Microsoft Employee Purchase Program

Give your employees discounts from retail pricing on the most popular Microsoft productivity and consumer products. Employees can use the same software at home that they use at work, and save money on great software products for home management and entertainment. Employees can order discounted products directly through a secure, Microsoft hosted-ecommerce site. https://epp.microsoft.com/

Enterprise Source Licence Program (ESLP)

Eligible customers with 1,500 or more licensed desktops can access Microsoft Windows source code for internal development and support. Then make adjustments and improvements to systems and related applications, to improve debugging, help maintain security, and help protect against viruses and other computer hazards. For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sharedsource/Licensing/Enterprise.mspx