Microsoft is retiring two Software Assurance benefits that have similar offerings outside of Software Assurance and changing the eligibility criteria for a third benefit. Specifically, this means:
- Microsoft retires the Deployment Planning Services benefit and will fulfill your implementation needs through Microsoft’s premier cloud migration and deployment program Microsoft FastTrack.
- Microsoft is investing in new, modern skilling programs. Training vouchers will be phased out as a Software Assurance benefit and will no longer be used to convert to planning services.
- Microsoft is adjusting the eligibility criteria of 24×7 support and changing support allocations to align Software Assurance support with Microsoft’s new Unified Support offering.
The first of these changes go into effect in February 2020, with the remaining changes gradually rolled-out through 2021, to give your organization time to accrue and use your remaining planning days, training vouchers, and support incidents.
You can find details on each benefit change and the timeline for benefit allocation and use deadlines here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/licensing-programs/software-assurance-by-benefits?rtc=1&activetab=software-assurance-by-benefits-tab%3aprimaryr2.
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