Video

This primer provides a quick look at the features and licensing of SQL Server 2012, and addresses any caveats associated with upgrading from an earlier version of SQL Server.

Tool

Each organization will have different priorities for the use of Software Assurance (SA). Use this tool to calculate the true dollar value of SA to build your business case for or against SA in your organization.

Template/Policy

Create a company software requirements profile to improve your negotiation tool kit, and be firmly in the driver's seat during Microsoft software license negotiations.

Tool

A technology roadmap documents past upgrades and prepares for future technology rollouts, providing a comparison to Microsoft's expected upgrade cycle. Use this tool to document previous and future upgrade cycles in the enterprise.

Note

Less than half of surveyed companies purchasing Microsoft software spend significant efforts to prepare for software negotiations. With Microsoft comprising more than 50% of a company's software budget, this could be leaving considerable money...

Video

Non-monetary switching costs can be high when adopting alternative office productivity suites, but deployment may also greatly decrease MS licensing costs. Assess your environment to determine if and where deploying an alternative suite makes sense.

Tool

IT leaders looking to adopt an alternative office productivity suite and reduce their MS Office licensing costs need to understand their organizational requirements or risk either overspending or incurring preventable switching costs. Leverage...

Note

Money-saving opportunities exist for many organizations by implementing a limited deployment of an alternative to Microsoft Office.

Failure to choose the right software license can lead to inflated costs and unused software, which most small enterprises cannot afford. Select the right licensing arrangement by understanding the nuances of available licensing arrangements.

What are the pros and cons of renewing the Enterprise Agreement (EA) with Microsoft? Given that this decision represents a significant spend, careful consideration must be given to the arguments for and against the EA renewal.

Note

Failure to choose the right software license can lead to inflated costs and unused software. Select the right licensing agreement by understanding the nuances of available licensing arrangements.

Podcast

Microsoft licensing is a significant cost driver for most IT organizations. Finally, there's a rational approach that can be used to determine whether the organization is overspending in this area. This podcast will provide guidance for...

Video

Microsoft licensing is a significant cost driver for most IT organizations. Finally, there's a rational approach that can be used to determine whether the organization is overspending in this area. This webcast will provide guidance for...

Current economic conditions are requiring many IT departments to trim their budgets. Take a closer look at Microsoft licensing agreements to eliminate any excess spend on Microsoft products next year.

Tool

Selecting the appropriate Microsoft Volume Licensing program is not an easy task. Once small enterprises understand Microsoft Volume Licensing programs and are comfortable with the terminology, the next step is to access the organization's...

Tool

This tool simplifies the decision-making process for Microsoft Licensing program selection. Once decision makers have gone through the three worksheets and read the accompanying research note, they should be able to determine exactly which...

Tool

Signing a Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) contract without using the valuable benefits associated with the agreement is common among many small enterprises. Maximize the value of SA through better management and administration of SA benefits.

Tool

Maximize the value of Software Assurance (SA) through better management and administration of SA benefits. If small enterprises cannot use the additional features included with SA, then the value of the SA subscription may be significantly...

Small enterprises that learn Microsoft licensing basics are in a better position to optimize license purchases and reduce software spending. Understand Microsoft's complex licensing programs and the options, restrictions, and conditions. Learn...

Microsoft is touting its recently launched Enterprise Client Access License (CAL) Suite as "your path to people-ready infrastructure." However, people may not be as ready for adoption as Microsoft would hope. While the original Microsoft Core...

Tool

SA was an easy sell for Microsoft in 2006 because enterprises that signed up were guaranteed new versions of the Windows desktop OS, Windows server, Microsoft Office, and Exchange. Use this tool to determine if SA still makes sense for the...