May, 2009

If you’re working for one of the many UK public sector organisations that have a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, then read on…

• If you run the IT across your organisation, then you’ve got a chance to make your colleagues happy
• If you’re working elsewhere in the organisation, then there’s a chance to save some money

As part of our Software Assurance programme, which is a standard part of an Enterprise Agreement, we include a benefit called the Home Use Programme (HUP). This gives employees the opportunity to buy Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 for £12.93. HUP is designed to increase employee satisfaction, employee retention, and training and productivity. (I’d whisper this so that only the IT people hear - It’s also been seen to reduce support costs). The licence allows employees to use the software as long as they work for the organisation, and as long as the organisation is covered by Software Assurance.

Unlike similar schemes, the employee is the one responsible for correctly licensing (ie you simply have to let them know when they should stop using it, you’re not expected to enforce this). And finally, the system takes no administration from the organisation – the employee places their order online, using their own credit card, and receives the software and support directly from Microsoft.

For some reason, even though it has been around a while, not that many people have taken it up.

It is easy to activate:

• Your EA Benefit Administrator (quick, find a number for the IT department!) goes onto the Microsoft Volume Licensing Services website, and ticks a box to activate the programme (at https://licensing.microsoft.com). They will enter an email domain for your organisation (like @dvla.gov.uk) and in return will get a program code
• They distribute that program code around the organisation
• Employees logon to https://hup.microsoft.com, and enter their email address and the program code – and then just place their order.

It’s that simple.

And instead of paying £90 in a shop for Office Home & Student, your employees have Office Enterprise for less than £15.

We’ve got HUP Information Packs sitting here in the office, with a resources CD to help promote it internally. If you want one, just drop James an email

And finally, there’s also an option where the administrator can order multiple copies on behalf of employees, where the price has been dropped to under £7 if you order 20+ before 15th June. That’s all on https://licensing.microsoft.com too.

The new Public Sector Agreement (PSA09) is a new software purchasing model for the UK public sector. It is the result of an in-depth collaborative procurement engagement between Microsoft and Buying Solutions on behalf of the public sector. You can read the full press release about PSA09 here.

In PSA09, Microsoft is offering value for money, greater choice and licensing flexibility, unique in its public or private sector agreements.

It paves the way for future models of software purchasing and will help organisations to meet emerging and future challenges in delivering public service reform.

What makes PSA09 different from previous agreements?

·        Value for money  – customers can save up to 16% on previous licensing agreements

·        Matches business needs – customers can choose from more flexible licensing options

·        Simpler licence transferability – licences can be transferred between organisations

·        Accelerates public service reform – provides the enabling technology for frontline services

We have arranged two Live Meetings (webcasts) with Microsoft and Buying Solutions experts for you to find out more about the new Public Sector Agreement and get your questions answered:

Register to take part in a Live Meeting on the New Public Sector Agreement

·        To take part in the Live Meeting on Wednesday May 13^th, 11:00-12:00 register here and quote invitation code: 833389

·        To take part in the Live Meeting on Thursday May 14^th, 14:00-15:00 register here and quote invitation code: B418BE

All we need is 1-hour of your time at your desk, in front of your PC/web browser and Microsoft and Buying Solutions will explain how you can get the most out of PSA09 for your organisation.

Posted by Ian