Changes to Software Assurance Benefits- Microsoft Announcement

Microsoft just announced that they will be making significant changes to SA Benefits.  Below are the highlights of some of the changes and how they will impact your organization.

What’s changing? 

Microsoft will be retiring in phases the following legacy SA benefits:

 - Deployment Planning Services (Vouchers)

2    - Training Vouchers (SATV)

3    -  24x7 Problem Resolution Support

Why is Microsoft making these changes? 

Microsoft is looking for new ways to help customers deploy, train and receive support.  Microsoft continues to grow the FastTrack program to enable customers to successfully adopt Microsoft cloud services.  They are also looking at investing in new training and certification offerings along with programs to drive adoption of solutions with customers and partners.  Finally, they are adjusting SA support eligibility criteria and changing support incident allocations.

Key Dates!

Deployment Planning:

February 1, 2020 – DPS cloud engagements will be retired. All cloud customers will be directed to FastTrack Programs

February 1, 2021 – Customers will no longer accrue DPS days

June 30, 2021 – Last day to create planning days to be used

January 1, 2022 – Last day for partners to redeem DPS vouchers for current engagements

Training Vouchers:

February 1, 2020 – Training vouchers can no longer be converted to planning services days

February 1, 2020 – Customers will no longer be able to use training vouchers for Azure courses

February 1, 2021 – Customers will no longer accrue training vouchers

June 30, 2021 – Last day to create training vouchers to be used

January 1, 2022 – Last day to redeem training vouchers for existing contracts

Support:

February 1, 2020 – Customers who convert Software Assurance incidents to buy down Premier/Unified or pay for DSE will be permitted to do it one more time after this date until February 2021

February 1, 2020 – Support incidents can no longer be converted to Premier/Unified support after the one-time renewal event (one-time buy down option is ended)

February 1, 2021 – Incidents will no longer be awarded or allowed to convert to Premier/Unified

February 1, 2021 – Microsoft will provide support for eligible customers who spend $250,000/year or more on Software Assurance

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