Attention all Microsoft Users

Microsoft have announced from February 2020 changes will be made to their Software Assurance Benefits (SAB) Program.

As Microsoft adapt to new customers needs, they will be updating SABs to ensure they stay relevant and useful to customers.

What is changing? 

DPS vouchers will be retired overtime and the focus will shift towards Microsoft FastTrack, a free service that offers remote assistance to eligible customers who are looking to adopt Microsoft cloud solutions (Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365)

Training vouchers will be retired, with new investments introduced into different Microsoft learning platforms which will be made available to customers.

Microsoft 24/7 Support eligibility criteria will be updated. Moving forward, customers with a $250,000 USD annual SA spend will get as-needed support and credits if they choose to upgrade to Microsoft Unified Support.

Benefits Timeframe

These changes will take place over two years, starting in February 2020, to give customers time to plan for changes and use their existing benefits.

DPS vouchers

• Feb 2020 – Azure courses retired from training catalogue, no longer able to convert training vouchers to DPS vouchers

• Feb 2021 - New agreements will no longer receive training vouchers
• June 2021 – Last day to raise vouchers
• Jan 2022 – Last day to redeem vouchers

Training vouchers

• Feb 2020 – Azure courses retired from training catalogue, no longer able to convert training vouchers to DPS vouchers
• June 2021 – Last day to raise vouchers
• Jan 2022 – Last day to redeem vouchers

Microsoft 24/7 Support 

• Feb 2021 
• Accrual of 24x7 incidents ending,
• No longer able to convert 24x7 to unified support
• Customers with $250K/year SA spend –
  • As-needed basic phone support for severity
  • Online support during business hours
  • 24-hour response time
• Credit toward a unified support agreement

Next Steps

Softcat can accept DPS vouchers against several services that will help you develop your organisations modern workspace. Alongside working with top training providers in the UK to build out technical training paths completely fundable by your SAB training vouchers.

To understand your current Software Assurance Benefit position and how to make the most of what is available to you, speak to your Softcat Account Manager.