Microsoft sweetens Software Assurance

Microsoft will update its Software Assurance subscription scheme in March, to smooth the path to the next versions of Windows and Office for enterprises.

The four-year-old scheme has in the past been criticised as expensive and hard to understand but the latest extras may attract more firms. As well as providing access to key products due this year, including Windows Vista and Office 2007, the latest changes add sweeteners such as more vouchers for Windows and Office training from consultants, flexible terms for staff at home and better support options.

“I think it’s pretty positive for customers,” said Paul DeGroot of independent analyst firm Directions On Microsoft. “Before, a lot of firms bought Software Assurance for upgrade rights and the Premier Support Agreement for support issues. [The new terms] make it a lot easier to use the technical support agreement in Software Assurance for multiple servers.”

DeGroot added that Virtual PC Express – available in March for Software Assurance customers that want to run legacy applications on a virtual machine – would be welcomed. However, he doubted the usefulness of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, a version of Windows XP for repurposing old PCs as thin clients.

Some experts argued that Microsoft needs to publicise the benefits of Software Assurance more broadly.

“A lot of people don’t know [the training vouchers] exist,” said Robert Chapman of UK company The Training Camp. “The person who tends to own the Software Assurance agreement is in procurement and they don’t necessarily distribute the information to the right place – the IT manager.”

Julie Giera, vice-president of analyst Forrester, said Microsoft’s new 24-hour phone hotlines could change the economics of support. “I don’t think customers should cancel Premier Support but they don’t have to pay as much [under Software Assurance].”