IT directors groups have hailed Microsoft's revamped
Software Assurance licensing scheme as a step in the right
direction, but they gave a mixed response to some parts of the
package, which will be launched next month.
The Strategic Supplier Relationships Group (SSRG), formed from
11 of the UK's most influential IT user groups, said that although
Microsoft was trying to add value to its subscription licensing
scheme, many users could see little benefit in some of the
changes.
The introduction of free desktop migration consultancy would
only benefit larger businesses, and the ability to migrate to Vista
Enterprise on its release later this year was only suited to users
who were ready to move from current operating systems, the SSRG
said.
The package also offers incident-based extended hotfix support,
which only needs to be paid for when the first incident is
logged.
Peter Monk, technical strategy consultant at the SSRG, said the
new version of Software Assurance would increase value for money.
"It is a move in the right direction."
However, he added, "It looks as though most people who have been
paying for Software Assurance for five years have already overpaid
for their replacement licences, and the value for money over the
next three years is very poor."
Ollie Ross, research manager at The Corporate IT Forum, said,
"Microsoft is an important supplier and we know that the company is
aware of the serious concerns that many in corporate IT had over
Software Assurance.
"We believe that the additional services and products being
offered by Microsoft on top of the basic Software Assurance package
are largely frills that do not add much value."
Ross said the consultancy and support extensions would only suit
some companies. "They are spend- and size-dependent. Many of the
additions appear only to assist in moving users to Vista."
However, Ross also warned that upgrading to Vista would be less
easy for users who chose not to buy Software Assurance.
How the SSRG rates the changes to Software
Assurance
Desktop deployment services
Providing this consultancy freely does not amount to much of the
total cost, but up to 10 days with no bill is useful to the
customer. * * * *
Information work solution services
It will be many years before customers generally have deployed
and utilised the new facilities and features. We do not exploit
what is available now, so why should we think people will do
anything much more in future? *
Windows Vista Enterprise
This will only be available to Software Assurance customers on
company-wide agreements. *
Training vouchers
Currently it is difficult to spare staff for application
training because of the loss of productivity and costs. *
Problem resolution support
This is a step in the right direction that may see greater
benefits as time passes. * *
Extended hotfix support
This is more of the same, with a minor change to the way you
pay. *