Monthly Archives: March 2015

Dynamics GP 2015 Licensing Guide

If you need a good introduction to the slightly surreal world of Dynamics GP 2015 licensing then this December 2014 guide is worth a read.

If you’re new to it all, hold on to your hats as you learn about licensing Solution Functionality with the Starter or Extended Packs, and licensing user access with Concurrent CALs, User CALs or User SALs.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then head over to our Licensing Guides repository where you’ll find a guide for all Microsoft products – past and present –  https://bit.ly/MSlicensingguides.

Skype for Business is on its way

This excellent Microsoft article gives a good heads-up on what we can expect from Skype for Business when it starts rolling out in April.

It is, of course, the next version of Lync and there will be a client, a server, and an Office 365 service which will include enterprise voice. There will also be support for a range of devices optimised for Skype for Business known as Skype Room Systems devices. Read the full article here (http://bit.ly/1BWBtjj) and watch this space for details on the licensing changes when they’re announced…

Overview of the Changes to the March 2015 Volume Licensing Product List

Short and sweet, here are the changes to the March 2015 Product List…

From SA USLs

  • There’s a new exception added for customers who have more users than devices and want to transition from device licences to Online Services via From SA USLs. Typically they can only purchase From SA USLs up to the number of qualifying underlying licences, but this new one-time exception allows the customer to purchase more From SA USLs – as long as they purchase a From SA USL for all users of all licensed Qualified Devices. See pages 34, 45, 47 and 58
  • It’s also confirmed on the same pages that customers transitioning to EMS, Office 365 or ECS From SA USL qualify for SA Benefits based on the qualifying products being transitioned

Additional products available in Open and Open Value

  • The Enterprise Mobility Suite makes its debut in the Open and Open Value programs and customers will be able to acquire both the Full USL and the Add-on through these programs as per page 44
  • EMS includes Azure Active Directory and this product will also be available as a standalone SKU – both in the Basic and Premium flavours as shown on page 46

Farewell to Forefront Identity Manager 2010 R2

  • FIM is removed from the Product List – it was announced back in November 2014 that Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) would replace FIM in the first part of 2015

Windows SA per User Add-on

  • It’s confirmed on page 30 that Windows SA per User Add-ons are eligible for reduction at Anniversary

Cross Program Renewal

  • And finally, on page 64, it’s confirmed that the MPSA is eligible for the cross program renewal of SA and follows the same rules as Select Plus

74-678 Online Proctored Exam

Exam 74-678 is available as an Online Proctored exam.

In normal English that means that you can take the exam in the comfort of your own home or office while being monitored by an offsite invigilator.

See this page – http://bit.ly/1BoRyg1 – for the rules and regulations.

Also check out that it’s available in your country – notable omissions are the UK, Denmark, Germany, France, and the Netherlands

The Future of PSA12

UK government – the future of PSA12. Microsoft announce that PSA12 will expire in April 2015, and that a new Transition Agreement has been signed to preserve some of the existing discounts for public sector customers who choose to make a transformation to cloud services, with some extra discounts for ECS and SCE.

Read the full announcement here: http://bit.ly/1b2KBsH.

Microsoft VL Newsletter: Feb 2015

The Microsoft February 2015 Volume Licensing newsletter is out and leads with the MPSA and its availability for Public Sector customers.

However, there’s also a useful recap of the important dates for the retirement of Select Plus:

  • 1 July 2015: no new agreements,
  • 1 July 2016: no more SA renewal or new purchases after the next agreement anniversary.

Read the newsletter and/or subscribe to it here: http://bit.ly/1D183SU.