Microsoft middlemen rebel against removal of free software licences More than 2,500 resellers and integrators have signed a petition opposing Microsoft's intention to remove free software licences granted to members of the channel to run their business. The changes are described here: Effective July 1, 2020, we will retire the internal use rights (IUR) association with the product licenses …
Having been a manager in my time (ducks) whose first task on day one of the job was to take the competency test in order to secure the MAP licences for the company, I have a niggling feeling (judging from who is whining the most) that a large part of the whinefest is the least mentioned part, which is the fact that some businesses are now going to have to pay for either training, or staff with the necessary skills to secure the higher prizes.
Of course, from a Microsoft POV, more people having more Microsoft skills is a win/win .....
From MS:
Product license use rights will be updated to be used for business development scenarios such as demonstration purposes, solution/services development purposes, and internal training.
That covers me for at least 90%. Rest I can switch to free MS or open source alternatives. I went through the pain of Dynamics CRM - so slow, I'd rather pay for something else.
I still have my TechNet Dr. GUI t-shirt in the closet. I keep it to remind me that <they> do not have your best interests at heart, even if <they> could remember what those were. <They> screwed developers "a long time ago".
So, come July 2020, as they screw resellers ... "... your journey towards the dark side will be complete!"
"Smaller Microsoft channel firms have been able to operate their businesses, in large part, using these subsidised licences."
So, they'll migrate to Linux. I mean you could end up being sued for recommending Win10 with the flat GUI that reduces productivity, encourages mistakes and might even contravene GDPR.
You can make more money learning to do and sell real support than reselling "licences" anyway. Bitlocker on Win10 per disk, or PGP based encryption per user on Linux?
"You say that like there's no pain involved."
Nope, it's just not that relevant.
Is there pain going from a simple setup based on Windows and associated apps to a Linux one? Some amount, but not a lot. Is there pain going from a simple Windows-based setup to one running the next newer version of Windows and associated apps? Probably some, but not a lot.
Is there pain going from a complex Windows-based setup to a Linux one? Yes, perhaps considerable, and it might not even be feasible depending on what software is running on there. Is there pain going from a complex Windows-based setup to one running on the next newer Windows system? Yes, perhaps considerable, and it might not even be feasible depending on what software is running on there.
Not a big Windows user here, but roughly speaking going up from NT4 through 2000/2000 server and XP/2003 server, they tended to slap on new features, but (just like on desktop) were quite fastidious in maintaining backward compatibility. Later versions (coming out in the Vista, 7, 8, 10 timeframe), 2003, 2008, 2012, etc., they really seem to move things around sometimes "just because", less emphasis on backward compatibility, and so on. This makes upgrades potentially much harder.
No, they're whining that as a Partner to Microsoft, Microsoft isn't giving them a reduction on the cost of the stuff they use internally.. They'll need to pay full price and still spend money being a Partner.
None of the stuff in the Action Pack can be sold.
Because MS moving to Cloud Rental and Direct Selling. The MS resellers are simply taking margin and few add value.
MS probably doesn't need their help now, not like 1981 to 2001.
I think it was 2004 I didn't renew TechNet or MSDN for our company. I said it wasn't worth it and that they were going to cancel the too marketing orientated MCSP/MSCE thingys unless you did fresh exams. Unlike um, degrees, HNDs, Masters, PhDs etc.
Fortunately I was out of IT support just before Vista appeared. All downhill since Server 2003? Even back then we'd stopped installing Exchange and Small Business Server and starting to install 3rd party SW, and gasp, even Linux for servers.
If they had free software because of nominal competencies and then sold licences having told a client that the sofware would do everything required of it, they could be sued for misrepresentation or fraud on the grounds that they were "compentent". Now they can just say "you'll have to take Microsofts word for it that it works, because I don't have a licenced copy to try it out for you." Their legal bills will be so much lower because they know that no one ever sues MS and wins.
On the other hand their turnover is also going to be lower because lots of would-be clients are going to say "why should we buy software from you if you aren't using it yourself"
I could understand them cutting the allocation, as the Action Pack IUR is worth thousands and thousands of pounds (last time I checked there were 10 Windows 10 licenses and something like 16 Server licenses, plus 5 Office 365 E3, $100 a month of Azur credits and loads more) but killing it completely is pretty draconian.
I use the server and client licenses largely for demoing things on a non-production enviroment and my own training, so should be covered there, but the Office 365 license will cost me about the same for a single user as the Action Pack subscription does.
> the Office 365 license will cost me about the same
>for a single user as the Action Pack subscription does
Unless you need to download the Office apps you can go for O365 Business Essentials which is about £45/year.
Still, this does seem like a mean, goodwill-shattering move on MS's part.
There have been many (both enlightened and whining) comments in the last years that Microsoft has basically given up on the SMB (and maybe "Power User") market:
- No more Exchange in SBS
- No opt-out of "Telemetry" below hundreds of seats
- Mo more WIndows for mobile
- More of that stuff.
Well, IMHO this is nothing else than completion of the circle: If we don't care for the SMB market, then why would we care for those supplying it?
What I am quite curious about is, whether there is some vacuum starting to establish and how it is going to be filled.
IMO.. The start of this all was the Office 365 solution (decisions to try and terminate the "buy outright" version) and Microsoft's attempt at maximum monetising its assets. Unfortunately it is primarily hitting those of us Who do and have supported, ranted and raved about their solutions within our social groups.. Were obviously somewhat put out by this..
This industry exists because the geeky (me to!) raved about and funded the past 40 years of developments, unfortunately the ACCOUNTANTS seem to be in charge so this could be the demise of the whole thing.. If you turn us off, no matter how good your advertising is, How do you expect to sell your whole product range without those who are engaged and would have been likely to push your product, there have been no end of examples, check your archives.
Office 365 will become Microsoft 365 and the end user will be licensing the whole Office / Operating System package through a web portal built directly into the UEFI BIOS which will be presented on initial turn on.. its really not that far a stretch of the imagination to see it on the horizon (This notice is to be taken as my initial Copyright to this concept and all variations thereof).. ker ching ;)
Microsoft are back to the old game of forgetting that the OS and the Hardware are ALL irrelevant… ITs WHATS CREATED WITH IT THAT COUNTS.... OUR DATA not yours..
"build it and they will come".. Build a wall around it and charge the advertisers and you will eventually stall and fall.
Maybe this is the start of the Microsoft University and the slippy slope towards a more Apple-esque environment
Engage with your community don't alienate us.. most of us are hard working and couldn't afford a full suite of your products - let alone the constant time in study to get accredited on them all (QUESTIONs - How long would it actually take to complete all the Accreditations, back to back? in which order do you suggest we take them? and is it really a realistic an expectation? would you also guarantee that you would not release new software negating my studies during the time frame expected to achieve full qualification?.. what would be the expected cost to achieve FULL ACCREDITATION? again, is that realistic?
Many of your MAPS clients are micro businesses who are grateful for the leg up, but many of us are still only one and two man bands, however we generally service over 1000 sites each, these sites are generally more trusting of us than they are of you.. We meet them face to face and we are the faces they see when all goes wrong, we are the ones who actually take ownership of the problems when they do happen, how are you going to replace that ? The jobs we do, you cannot do remotely, if they could be, then we wouldn't be needed on the ground. oh and we are the ones that the Clients, Customers, end users, Forum visitors ask for, for our opinion... !
we don't have the time to go into full time studies again (were maintaining your O/Ses), take a grasp of reality - OURS not YOURS!! and believe it or not, many of us have been using your products since before Win 3.1 we have already invested time, energy and of course money, let alone the revision and ongoing learning. We also represent the wedge of industry that makes many of the decisions these days and the long term knowledge that perpetuates your company..
Personally I jumped the MAPS program when it was still at the £200 level and you was trying to dismiss us with your at the time New Office 365 solution..
I'm still part of the Beta testing team for windows 10, but as a small business owner of 17 years working with micro businesses and homes you are turning me off, I cannot ever recommend your 365 products to my end users.. when it ALWAYS works out in their best interest to buy your products outright, when you stop selling your full products then I will be looking and already do recommend alternative solutions.
Innovate - not Isolate... you know full well LINUX is looking very capable for the end use.
Response not expected..
"Office 365 will become Microsoft 365 and the end user will be licensing the whole Office / Operating System package through a web portal built directly into the UEFI BIOS which will be presented on initial turn on.. "
In effect, turning Windows into a ChromeOS wannabe. If they go down that route, then businesses, smaller ones in particular, will then have a clear choice between ChromeOS and Google Office or MS. I wonder how it would work if you need to install non-MS products?
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