Last September, Microsoft announced a number of changes to Software Assurance (SA), its software licensing program that will start early 2020.
These changes have the objective to steer organizations to move to the FasTrack program for their training.
Since Microsoft has introduced new, cloud-native deployment and training resources, the existing Software Assurance benefits are being retired to help you use and deploy Microsoft product and services.
As a customer, you might be wondering how these changes will impact you?
Relax, Softlanding did the grunt work to help you navigate through those changes.
To summarize, three of your benefits are being changed or retired to support these new cloud friendly programs.
1. DEPLOYMENT PLANNING SERVICES (DPS)
Microsoft will retire its Deployment Planning Services benefits over the next two years starting February 1, 2020. Customers will be directed to the FasTrack program when migrating to Microsoft services such as Azure, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365.
Timeline
February 1, 2020:
- Cloud services will be retired from the DPS catalog. Past this date, customers will be directed towards FasTracks programs – click here for more details about FasTrack
- Starting February 1, 2020, customers won’t be able to convert training vouchers to Planning services. If you wish to do it, you will have to do it on the VLSC portal before this date.
February 1, 2021:
- Customers will not longer be able to accumulate DPS days as well as training vouchers.
- This will also be the last day to create DPS days and training vouchers for new/renewing contracts.
June 30, 2021:
- This will be the last day to create DPS and training vouchers. However, you will have until January 1, 2022 to redeem your vouchers.
2. TRAINING VOUCHERS
Microsoft will gradually retire the Training Vouchers benefit and invest in new training and certification offerings and programs via Microsoft Learn
Timeline
February 1, 2020:
- Azure training will be retired from training voucher catalog. In addition, you will no longer be able to convert training days to DPS as explained above.
February 1, 2021:
- Customers will not longer be able to accumulate DPS days as well as training vouchers and this will be the last day to create training vouchers for new/renewing contracts.
June 30, 2021:
- This will be the last day to create training vouchers for existing contracts. You will have until January 1, 2022 to redeem your vouchers.
3. SUPPORT
Microsoft is adjusting SA support eligibility criteria and make support incident allocations simpler.
As a customer, you will no longer earn a limited number of support incidents but you will receive a Unified Support that includes as-needed support and credit. In other words, organizations spending US $250,000 annually will get basic support for technical issues.
Basic support provides business hours support with a 24-hour response time goal.
As far as credit is concerned, you will receive a credit to account for the price paid for SA support. This credit will only be available to customers who move or renew on Microsoft Unified Support.
Timeline
February 1, 2020:
- You can start converting incidents to buy Premier/Unified Support. You will be able to this until February 1, 2021.
February 1, 2021:
- You will no longer be able to accrue 24/7 support incidents
- The new Microsoft support model will be launched to provide as-needed support and credit on Unified Support
For more information, you can download the Software Assurance changes overview here
Make sure you make the most out of your DPS and Training days by contacting your Softlanding Account Manager or contact us here.
As usual, we’re here to help!
Written By:
Caroline Blivet
As Softlanding's Marketing Lead, Caroline and is responsible for driving lead generation, developing a go-to-market strategy and, delivering marketing campaigns. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys hiking the beautiful trails of British Columbia.
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