Microsoft is investing in new ways to help customers deploy and use their products and services, including updates to Software Assurance. As Microsoft adapt to new customer needs, they are updating Software Assurance benefits from February 2020.

What does this mean for customers?

  • The Software Assurance Deployment Planning Services benefit and Software Assurance Training Vouchers will be retired.
  • After February 2020, FastTrack will be the primary way to support you in adopting Microsoft cloud services.
  • Eligibility criteria for Software Assurance 24×7 Problem Resolution support will be adjusted.
  • Microsoft will be providing as-needed base support for qualifying customers and credit toward Unified Support.

When do the DPS changes start?

  • February 1, 2020: DPS cloud engagements will be retired, cloud workloads can be deployed and supported via FastTrack.
  • February 1, 2020: Training vouchers can no longer be converted to planning services days.
  • February 1, 2021: Customers will no longer accrue DPS days.
  • Customers can use any existing DPS days until January 1st, 2022.

When do the Training changes start?

  • February 1, 2020: Azure courses will be removed, Azure training will be available from Microsoft Learn.
  • February 1, 2020: Training vouchers can no longer be converted to planning services days.
  • February 1, 2021: Customers will no longer accrue training voucher days.
  • Customers can use any existing training vouchers until January 1st, 2022.

When do the support changes start?

  • No changes to the current process until January 1st,2021.
  • February 1, 2021: Support incidents can no longer be converted towards a Premier or Unified support agreement.
  • February 1, 2021: Microsoft will provide as-needed support with a 24-hour response time for eligible customers who spend $250,000 or more annually on SA. Additionally, customers will receive a credit toward their Unified Support agreement at each subsequent renewal.

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.

The last day to redeem Software Assurance Deployment Planning Services and Software Assurance Training Voucher benefits will be January 1, 2022.

How can Trustmarque help?

As one of the UK’s leading FastTrack Ready PartnersTrustmarque can help support your Microsoft cloud migration and deployments.  We can also help you redeem and make the most of any remaining DPS vouchers with over 100 consultants delivering projects and continually solving our customer’s challenges.

For more information please contact your Trustmarque Account Manager or email: [email protected]