One of our non-profit clients is in the process of having their SBS 2003 Premium network migrated to SBS 2008. We needed the media for SBS 2008 OS as the install keys are not available on the eOpen Web site. Their original agreement was purchased through TechSoup at pennies on the dollar compared to our standard corporate client pricing.
The same is not true for our Open Value based clients and their SBS 2008 OS Software Assurance fulfillment as the Open Value program automatically ships any new OS versions of the product to our client while their agreement is in effect.
We put an inquiry into the eOpen folks to find out how we get the SBS 2008 media, and this is their response:
Hello Philip,
This is in response to your email regarding Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium.
Thank you for your inquiry. Please be advised, due to the Key type, Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium is not available as a Product Download. To ensure you receive the highest quality of service, it will be necessary for us to redirect you to our Fulfillment Department at (800) 336-0098 option 4 then 1, as they will send the Physical Media free of charge.
For news and information about our Software Assurance and Volume Licensing program, please visit our website at: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/
If we may be of further assistance, please feel free to contact our customer service center at (866) 230-0560. Our office hours are Monday-Friday from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
A call into the first 800 number and five minutes later the order has been placed and we will receive a confirmation e-mail once it ships.
This process was probably one of the smoothest Microsoft Licensing Software Assurance fulfillment we have had to date!
If a non-profit qualifies, check out TechSoup for their licensing needs. The prices there are significantly less than Microsoft Charity licensing. But, the qualifications are quite stringent, so be prepared to test the waters with TechSoup before proposing them as an option. It can be a big letdown to a non-profit client if they get their hopes up for ordering through TechSoup.org only to find out that their particular business focus disqualifies them.
Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book
*All Mac on SBS posts will not be written on a Mac until we replace our now missing iMac! (previous blog post)
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