LAR Update April 2006



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| |April, 2006 |

| Microsoft Partner Portal Home | |

| | In This Issue |

|LAR Update | |

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|The Microsoft Newsletter for Large Account Resellers | |

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|Volume Licensing Updates | |

|Microsoft( Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard and Enterprise Editions – Multilanguage User Interface | |

|(MUI) Use Right Offer | |

|Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are currently available in English and Japanese language versions. | |

|Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are also available via the Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) | |

|Microsoft® Virtual Server R2 as a Free Download | |

|On April 3, 2006, Microsoft announced that Virtual Server 2005 R2 is now available as a free | |

|download. This also will apply to the forthcoming service pack 1 of Virtual Server 2005 R2.  | |

|Microsoft® Windows Client Software Assurance Attach promotion for new PC purchases | |

|Microsoft® is offering a promotional extension of the 90-day period for attaching Microsoft Windows | |

|client Software Assurance onto new PC purchases. | |

|Microsoft® Windows XP Pro Upgrade Licenses with Software Assurance Promotion | |

|Microsoft is offering a promotional discount on all Microsoft® Windows XP Pro upgrade license | |

|purchases that include Software Assurance. | |

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| |Microsoft( Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard and|

| |Enterprise Editions – Multilanguage User |

| |Interface (MUI) Use Right Offer |

| |Microsoft® Virtual Server R2 as a Free Download|

| |Microsoft® Windows Client Software Assurance |

| |Attach promotion for new PC purchases |

| |Microsoft® Windows XP Pro Upgrade Licenses with|

| |Software Assurance Promotion |

| | Other Resources |

| |Microsoft for Partners |

| |licensing |

| |Product Use Rights |

| |Product Lists |

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PLEASE READ

This document contains the latest Volume Licensing information, program enhancements, support tools and Q&A: It is intended for the worldwide authorized Microsoft LARs ONLY and is NOT intended for customer distribution. This document and past editions are available on (*Company registration required)

April Volume Licensing LAR Conference Call

Please join us every month for the Microsoft® Volume Licensing LAR Conference Call

When: The third Tuesday of each month

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (PST)

Topics: Contents of the April 2006 LAR Update will be discussed in detail.

Audio Information: Toll Free: 866-500-6738; Toll: 203-480-8000; Passcode: 192261

Live Meeting link:

Click on the live meeting link to attend the conference and dial-in for the audio portion of the call.

Microsoft( Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard and Enterprise Editions – Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) Use Right Offer

• Geography : Worldwide

• Audience : Channel Partners

• Programs : All Volume Licensing Agreements

Summary

Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are currently available in English and Japanese language versions only. Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are also available via the Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese Traditional and Japanese under the English/Multilanguage SKU.

Microsoft is offering customers who have licenses for language versions of Windows Server 2003 for which the corresponding x64 language media is not yet available to use Windows Server 2003 x64 Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) edition. Customers can therefore benefit and use available localized versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition as soon as possible.

This offer applies to both Standard and Enterprise Editions of Windows Server 2003. The offer expires when localized x64 versions become available for languages that are currently available in x64 MUIs only.

Call to Action

• Please disseminate this information to any pertinent parties.

Details

Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are currently available in English and Japanese language versions only. Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are also available via the Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese Traditional and Japanese under the English/Multilanguage SKU.

Microsoft is offering customers who have licenses for language versions of Windows Server 2003 for which the corresponding x64 language media is not yet available to use Windows Server 2003 x64 Multilanguage User Interface (MUI) edition. Customers can therefore benefit and use available localized versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition as soon as possible.

Customers should continue to order localized Windows Server 2003 R2 SKU in the respective language version. Those who elect to use Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition may receive the corresponding x64 MUI edition media, if the respective x64 language version is not yet available. The Product List is appended as of April 2006 with this specific use right.

• New customers in Select/EA will automatically receive the x64 MUI media starting 1 May 2006. New Open customers will also receive x64 MUI media automatically when they call to order their Windows Server 2003 R2 media.

• Customers who acquired licenses prior to 1 May 2006 should contact their Resellers to purchase the media.  With this offering and the change in the Product List, Select/EA customers may also elect to download the corresponding x64 MUI Pack and English x64 OS from Microsoft Volume Licensing Services website at



• This right to use the MUI edition is limited to the language version the customer has licensed.  As an exception, customers may substitute use of another language under their cross-language rights. If the language version that is licensed is not covered by the MUI edition, the customer may use a suitable substitute from among the available MUI languages.  Customers exercising cross-language use rights for x64 may also contact their Reseller to order the additional MUI CD.

This offer applies to both Standard and Enterprise Editions of Windows Server 2003.

To facilitate the fulfillment of this offer, beginning 1 May 2006, the following MLF Disk Kits for Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard and Enterprise Editions are being updated to include the English x64 OS and the localized x64 MUI pack:

 

Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition

P72-01775         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 ChnSimp Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01776         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 ChnTrad Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01782         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 French Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01783         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 German Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01785         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 Italian Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01787         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 Korean Disk Kit MVL CD

P72-01791         Windows Svr Ent 2003 R2 Win32 Spanish Disk Kit MVL CD

 

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition

P73-01775         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 ChnSimp Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01776         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 ChnTrad Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01782         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 French Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01783         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 German Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01784         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 Italian Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01786         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 Korean Disk Kit MVL CD

P73-01791         Windows Svr Std 2003 R2 Win32 Spanish Disk Kit MVL CD

The offer expires when localized x64 versions become available for languages that are currently available in x64 MUIs only.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Microsoft Licensing, GP via CLT (located on Explore.ms ).

FAQ

Q. If a customer owns a Windows Server 2003 license in 32-bit German language version, is it possible for him use his cross-language use rights to obtain Windows Server x64 French language version?

A. Yes. Given this x64 MUI use right, by exercising the cross-language use rights and the cross-platform rights with Windows Server 2003, the customer may use the MUI edition to run Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition in French.

Q. If a customer is licensed for a localized language version of Windows Server 2003 and elects to use the x64 MUI edition, upon which SKU will the customer renew his Software Assurance?

A. Regardless of what the customer has installed, customers with Software Assurance coverage may renew that coverage only on the licensed language edition. Unless otherwise specified, customers can only use the licensed language edition going forward if Software Assurance is renewed on the licensed language edition.

Q. How long does this offer last? Will the customer have to uninstall at the end of the offer period?

A. This offer expires when localized x64 versions become available for languages that are currently available in x64 MUIs only. The right to use the x64 MUI edition in place of the licensed language version of Windows Server 2003 expires when the right to use the licensed language version expires.

Microsoft® Virtual Server R2 as a Free Download

• Geography : Worldwide

• Audience : Channel Partners

• Programs : Enterprise Agreement, Select License, Open License, Open Value, SPLA, ISV

Summary

On April 3, 2006, Microsoft announced that Virtual Server 2005 R2 is now available as a free download. This also will apply to the forthcoming service pack 1 of Virtual Server 2005 R2. In addition, Microsoft announced the availability of virtual machine add-ins for Linux and a technical product support model for Linux guest operating systems running on Virtual Server 2005 R2.

Resource management has always been part of the operating system, and over the years, customers have been able to obtain this functionality as an integrated part of their operating system platform. As Microsoft releases its Windows hypervisor technology in the Windows Server "Longhorn" timeframe, customers will be receiving the benefits of virtualization as part of the Windows Server operating system. Today’s price change makes it easier for customers to access and experience the benefits of virtualization technology.

Our April 3 announcement represents an opportunity to not only unveil the specific Linux support and Virtual Server “zero cost” news, it provides an opportunity to reiterate the breadth and depth of Microsoft’s strategy to bring the benefits of virtualization to the mainstream. 

News summary

• Virtual Server 2005 R2 is now available as a free download at

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• General availability of free virtual machine add-ins for select Linux distributions, and technical product support model, so customers can consolidate Linux-based applications on Virtual Server 2005 R2

• More than 45 vendors now have licensed Microsoft’s Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format, up from 14 vendors announced in October 2005.

• Product roadmap update for Service Pack 1 of Virtual Server 2005 R2

• Virtual Server 2005 R2 SKUs will be removed from the May price list across all the volume licensing programs.

Impact to customers and partners in Volume Licensing Programs

• Enterprise Agreement. Select License, Open License and Open Value may download Virtual Server 2005 R2 effective immediately.

• Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) – Services Providers may provide commercial hosting services using the downloaded Virtual Server 2005 R2 effective immediately.

• ISV Royalty Program – ISVs may integrate and distribute free Virtual Server 2005 R2 licenses effective May 1, 2006. The download site for ISVs will be available at a later date April 2006 at

windowsserversystem/virtualserver/.

• Public Sector - may download Virtual Server 2005 R2 effective immediately.

Call to action

• Inform your field teams about this and encourage them to share this information with their customers.

P R O M O T I O N S

Microsoft® Windows Client Software Assurance Attach promotion for new PC purchases

• Geography : Worldwide

• Audience : Channel Partners

• Programs : Select License, Multi-Year Open License, Open Value, Open License, Charity Open, GOLP and

Local Government

Summary

Microsoft® is offering a promotional extension of the 90-day period for attaching Microsoft Windows client Software Assurance onto new PC purchases. Customers will now be able to attach Software Assurance onto new PC’s purchased within the past 180 days.

This promotion enables customers to get more value from their recent hardware purchases. With the upcoming launch of Windows Vista and this promotion, customers now have an easy and cost-effective way to acquire the Software Assurance exclusive Windows Vista Enterprise on recent hardware purchases. Windows Vista Enterprise is the optimal version of Windows Vista for businesses of all sizes.

With the extension to 180 days to attach Software Assurance to new purchases, customers get:

• The rights to Windows Vista for less than the cost of an upgrade license (SA-only)

• Exclusive Software Assurance benefits, including Vista Enterprise, that are not available through the OEM license

For partners, this promotion provides a compelling offer to re-prospect customers that have purchased new hardware within the past 180 days. This limited time promotion will launch April 1, 2006 and is available until June 30, 2006. This promotion will be reflected in the April product list. Orders can be placed via the same method as the standard 90 day extension.

Details

Windows Professional Software Assurance: Customers who wish to enroll in Windows Professional Software Assurance have the following options:

← Select License and Open License programs:

• Enroll licenses for Windows XP Professional (32 bit or 64 bit) acquired through OEM or Retail in Software Assurance within 180 days from the OEM or Retail license purchase date.

• Enroll licenses for Windows XP Professional Blade PC Edition acquired through OEM in Software Assurance within 180 days from the OEM license purchase date.

• Enroll licenses for Windows XP Professional N or Windows XP Professional Reduced Media Edition acquired through OEM in Software Assurance within 180 days from the OEM license purchase date

• Enroll Licenses for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition acquired through OEM in Software Assurance within 180 days from the OEM license purchase date.

Calls to action

• Inform your field teams that they can now attach Windows client Software Assurance to new PC purchases up to 180 days after purchase.

• Inform your customers about this promotion.

Microsoft® Windows XP Pro Upgrade Licenses with Software Assurance Promotion

• Geography : Worldwide

• Audience : Channel Partners

• Programs : Select License, Multi-Year Open License, Open Value, Open License, Charity Open, GOLP and

Local Government

Summary

Microsoft is offering a promotional discount on all Microsoft® Windows XP Pro upgrade license purchases that include Software Assurance. Any Select License or Open License Windows XP Pro upgrade purchase that includes Software Assurance will receive a 30% discount off the upgrade license cost (i.e. the “U” portion of the U & SA).

With the upcoming launch of Windows Vista, this promotion enables customers to get significantly more value from their upgrade license purchases. Attaching Software Assurance to upgrade licenses (U & SA) provides customers:

• Two upgrades (XP and Vista) within a short period of time for a significant discount

• Exclusive SA benefits, including Vista Enterprise, the premium version of Windows Vista optimized for businesses of all sizes

• OS standardization for streamlined desktop management

Attaching SA to upgrade licenses also provides partners with a compelling up-sell to SA from current upgrade licenses.

This limited time promotion will launch April 1, 2006 and is available until June 30, 2006. This promotional pricing will be reflected on the April pricelist within the existing SKU’s.

Calls to action

• Inform your field teams about this limited time promotion to convert upgrade license purchases to U & SA.

• Inform customers know about this exciting limited time discount.

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LAR Update, April 2006

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