Licensing the Cloud with Microsoft.

To subscribe to the Cloud directly is easy, is a simple transaction based on consumption, however the co-existence of old traditional Volume licensing, or Service Provider licensing programs with the new Cloud subscriptions is not that easy. In fact to make sure that new benefits for the Cloud enablement like the Software Assurance Mobility Rights are properly used requires attention to the licenses allocated to the servers on Windows Azure, for example. Understanding the real rights and possibilities is another variable to contemplate when measuring compliance.

Hosted providers do not offer much guidance with respect of what their clients can allocate on licensing into the Cloud environments, and is often a conflict of responsibilities when the vendor audits the hosted provider or the end-user client.

In the Microsoft Product Use Rights for example we can observe the limitations of the licenses covered by SA with respect to their Cloud options with the Mobility Rights: (see table below)

Understanding the right coverage of the license is important in order to maintain not only compliance but also to predict Cloud budgets.

Clients with an Azure consumption negotiated on their Enterprise Agreement can use any of the services and increase without difficulty, and as they evolve using the Cloud services will be important to understand the ROI of the existing licenses versus the newly consume and fully subscribed licenses. In a way Cloud has enable transitions of existing licensing investments however at the same time is creating a conflict:

Is the Cloud subscription directly on Microsoft Azure a better option than the SA Mobility Rights?

As prices vary, the Cloud footprint extends and upgrade cycles arrive, the SA renewal will be confronted by the commitment to Azure subscriptions in a way that customers will choose one or the other.

For Microsoft clients using other third-party hosted providers the question is:

Have I allocated the compliant rights of use on the Cloud? and if I consume SPLA, is my hosted provider compliant? Am I compliant? Or am I at risk due to hosted provider error?

I can confidently say that Software Asset Management has become more relevant in the Cloud era.

(SAM Mobility Rights table as per PUR July 2014)

PRODUCT LICENSINGMODEL	PRODUCT OR PRODUCT TYPE	LICENSE	PERMITTED NUMBER OF OSES PERLICENSE/PERMITTED NUMBER OF CORES PER LICENSE
Server/CAL	External Connector Licenses	Each External Connector license with active Software Assurance coverage	1 OSE per license
Server/CAL	SQL Server	Each Server license with active Software Assurance coverage	1 OSE per license
Per-Processor	All eligible Products	Each Processor license with active Software Assurance coverage	1 OSE with up to 4 virtual processors per license
Per-Core	All eligible Products	Each Core license with active Software Assurance coverage	One virtual core (subject to the Product Use Rights including the requirement of a minimum of 4 cores per OSE)
Management Servers	System Center ServerManagement Licenses (versions prior to System Center 2012)	Each Server Management license with active Software Assurance coverage	1 Managed OSE per license
Management Servers	System Center Server Management Suites	Each SMSE or SMSDlicense with active Software Assurance coverage	4 Managed OSEs per License
Management Servers	System Center 2012 R2 Standard	Each System Center 2012R2 Standard Server Management license with active Software Assurance coverage	2 Managed OSEs per license
Management Servers	System Center 2012 R2 Datacenter	Each System Center 2012R2 Datacenter Server Management license with active Software Assurance coverage	8 Managed OSEs per license
Management Servers	Visual Studio Deployment 2013 Standard	Each Visual StudioDeployment 2013 Standard Server Management license with active Software Assurance coverage	2 Managed OSEs per license
Management Servers	Visual Studio Deployment 2013 Datacenter	Each Visual StudioDeployment 2013 Datacenter Server Management license with active Software Assurance coverage	8 Managed OSEs per license
Specialty Servers	HPC Pack Enterprise	Each Server license with active Software Assurance coverage	1 OSE per license

 

The New Order of Software Asset Management (SAM) in the Cloud era.

The New Order

Microsoft is definitely the great influencer of Software licensing; when Microsoft develops and promotes new rules may other vendors follow. During this last World Partner Conference, that just happened in Washington DC, I observed the influence of Cloud now directly affecting the Software Asset management (SAM) approach.

Cloud and SAM

Not long ago I was questioned by other SAM peers on my approach towards Cloud and SAM, the interaction of the old licensing models affected by the new subscription models seemed for some the end of the need of the licensing advisors, however I always thought it was only an adaptation of the SAM knowledge towards new exciting models to compliantly license software.

Microsoft is going all or nothing to the Microsoft Cloud offerings, I am glad that my guess has been right for so long with respect of being aware on how to measure, what to investigate, and how to determine the right Cloud licensing solution, because now SAM has to fulfill the qualification to move the right IT budgets towards Cloud in order to fulfill the great demand and transformation that Cloud is making in organizations everywhere. SAM has now a special role in regards to Cloud, it has to monitor the usage, contemplate the rules and repurpose licenses for an optimal transition.

SAM and Services

Some SAM professionals identify their task as auditors as the more relevant with respect to the services thy offer. However I disagree, in fact SAM has to be hand in hand with technical, and business assessments to actually not only portray a licensing position but to guide any organization to transformation. The new era of SAM services has to require a true alignment between business goals, technical requirements and licensing.

 

SAM 2.0

SAM is now critical in order to govern software and identify the possibilities of Cloud computing, outsourcing databases, access to BI integrated products, assessing security tools and allowing a new perspective of IT expenditure that walk with business objectives. The New Order of SAM services will create once again a differentiation between those that will be stuck in the old reseller ways, just contemplating the exercise of an audit without any other variable added, and those that understand the new realities and needs of IT on today’s market.

 

IT is truly a great moment for SAM services that can play a significant role on the era of Cloud.

The Cloud and the New order of Licensing and Software Asset Management #WPC14

July is an important time for Software Asset Management (SAM) as the Microsoft World Partner Conference (WPC) kicks off with announcements and news. Microsoft licensing is definitely a great influencer to all vendors on compliance rules.

There is expected content on SAM processes according to Microsoft to discuss on this 2014 edition of the conference and one or two expected announcements on Azure and other Microsoft Cloud.

We are arriving to a time of Cloud offerings consolidation. After observing constant changes on office 365 and additions to services offer through Azure it is time to finally elaborate transition plans for licenses to be moved to the Cloud, reconcile with SPLA (Hosted-Service Provider Licensing Agreement) and traditional Volume Licensing investments that have the reign for the last two decades.

As consuming IT is the actual trend and desire, it is expected for the licensing models to quickly offer transitions for compliance towards all Microsoft Cloud products.

The expectation is to finally observe consolidation on subscription models and more governance of SAM dedicated to Cloud offerings.

As the partner ecosystem also evolves to develop Cloud solutions of their own, licensing models like SPLA are getting more and more licensing in production environments. At the same time is not any more about going Cloud but about securing, developing and managing the Cloud. These has made SAM more relevant than ever as Application Management has to respond to the different scenarios that companies use today, a mix of applications in the Cloud with Private/Hybrid and Public Clouds.

The Licensing Guru will update after WPC on findings and relevant information to the readers.

Thank you for following

You will be Audited

Sounds like a title for a doomsday licensing movie… however besides the dramatic title it is very certain that if you are an organization using software, specially from the usual suspects: Microsoft. Adobe, Oracle, IBM… you will be audited!!!

Is written on the terms and conditions you may have not read when deploying the software, or on the contract the reseller provided you to sign. And as a practice to ensure compliance the software vendors periodically will request from you licensing information to make sure everything is alright.

Now… to fall in non-compliance situations is very easy:

• Many software vendors don’t restrict the use of software to avoid misuse.
• Many organizations don’t track licensing use and compliance with Software Asset Management Tools
• Licensing rights, terms and conditions are subject to change, and they change often!.

For this reason through AMTRA Solutions and its partners, plus this blog I will start a campaign of awareness and practical examples plus Q&A to help you be prepared and ready with the information gathered from my experience. I consider that a “fair trial” has to be performed when all parties had fully knowledge of consequences and clear understanding of complexities. Stay tuned for more content and invitations to listen and see coming up.

Cheers

The Licensing Guru: Josef Hans Lara

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A note on a great IT Leader: Tiffani Bova @tiffani_bova

Tiffani Bova has always inspired me for change, I find that her direction and to the point keynotes, not sugar-coated and driven to innovation have always produce great change in the IT industry. And to actually understand her influence is as easy as to listen, listen carefully because her ability to portray the trends and take advantages, make changes and defy the “Status Quo” is making a difference. I would say that in the last few years I have observed how accurate she has been to define our roles and opportunities on Cloud, channel, etc.

Every time I listen to her keynotes I am inspired and find vision to drive forward. Like today in the Cloud Summit 2014, she has shown us what 2020 looks like, and I am up for the challenge to take my clients to the technology that will make them thrive today and in the future to create better and more efficient companies.

Truly recommend to follow her @tiffani_bova.

 

“The Guru” joins AMTRA Solutions

AMTRA SOLUTIONS appoints Josef Hans Lara as Director of SAM & CLOUD

“The Licensing & Cloud Guru” new addition to the AMTRA team.

Calgary, AB, March 7, 2014– Amtra Solutions appoints Josef Hans Lara as Director of SAM & Cloud. Josef, also known for his online presence as the “Licensing & Cloud Guru” through his publications, speaking engagements and social media presence will direct the Amtra SAM efforts bringing an innovative way to offer AMTRA clients the best of Software Asset Management and Cloud transformation.

Josef depth of experience started in Europe leading the marketing and sales efforts on hardware and software licensing channel and solution sales in Europe. Continued building his career in North America becoming a builder of award winning Large Account Resellers, SAM consulting services and an evangelist for Cloud Computing.

Josef vision on SAM goes beyond the standards and provides synergies between application management, IT infrastructure transitions like Cloud computing, and a full understanding of compliance for multiple software vendors. Josef’s work has given him presence and reputation in the IT industry as a leader, helping multiple industry and public sector organizations across Canada, USA and Europe to achieve compliance and embrace models to adopt new technologies, truly approaching Business Intelligence to IT SAM compliance models.

Currently is a member of the Ingram Micro Services Advisory Council North America, IAMCP Canada National Executive, SRC Technology Group BC, and serves as a volunteer economic development commissioner in Maple Ridge, BC.

About AMTRA

AMTRA Solutions is a North American leader on Application Management and IT Innovation. Our consultants are highly seasoned application packagers, developers and deployment & operations experts – each with several years of experience. They have all worked within strict and demanding environments such as Petrochemicals, Energy, Banking, Finance and the Pharmaceutical industries. We understands the importance of adherence to standards and industry regulations

AMTRA is the North American distributor of all ATEA software and services. Products include Application Manager, JumpStart, AppMarket and Service Market. ATEA is known for their high-end, high capacity client management and application packaging factory which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact 1-855-326-0533.

The Social Media tools every CIO should have

Do you have an “outlook” of your social media or can you quickly run effective Social Media campaigns.

Social Media is gaining momentum and more businesses are using it to market themselves to a broader audience. In a small business it may mean the difference between being found on a search engine or not. For large corporations is as well brand recognition. Truly Social Media has become more than just awareness, it has become another way we communicate, research and rely on information to make decisions.

We are changing habits, we are more public with our ideas and we rely more on popular reviews to make decisions. As Social Media evolves into being an essential part of our working lives I have observed two solutions that are part of the what in my opinion every business owner, or in the case of Enterprise, every CIO should have in their toolkit.

HootSuite

Probably HootSuite does not need introduction. In simple words I refer to HootSuite as the “Outlook” you need for all your social media activities. Not only to effectively send messages across your media, as well to control your brand interaction, employee use of social media and effectively transform a twit into a business opportunity. In a way I think of HootSuite like Microsoft presented Outlook into the market… finally a place to see all your communications (social in this case) and effectively control and send your own. New development of KPIs information brings a great depth of understanding where is your brand in the online world.

3TierLogic

What amazes me from 3tierlogoic is the ability to give any business the great opportunity to use Social Media for localized marketing campaigns, with the ability to know about customers, and what is “really” popular…If you can transform your best customers into your best advocates, you have an incredible opportunity to grow your business. 3tierlogic is bringing world-class marketing, and brand programs into every business with their platform. As the company evolves the offerings the value of its data is truly a great example of what Business Intelligence is all about.

As I said… time to rethink IT services, adding the relevant tools for today’s technology needs.

What is Cloud Computing?

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Changes coming to Office 365 – #WPC2013

The Microsoft WPC 2013 is all over Office 365, Azure, Intune and Dynamics.

Cloud is clearly not to be sold but sold already and partners are trying to decipher the way to create the services and value.

Office 365 changes are coming soon. For example Microsoft partners will be able to sell more than the Midsize business sku to their customers through distribution and soon they will offer E programs and Exchange online for example. This is a significant change for Managed services providers that now can offer O365 to their clients without having them to register on their own to the Cloud solution.

Midsize business in Office 365 will also see the change to be able to accept other subscription registrations under the same company domain, like combining it with Kiosk. No ETA for the change but Microsoft said MSLI (the all-powerful licensing department) is looking into the changes to the terms and conditions.

Microsoft listened, I sense a more humble approach to concerns and realization that they can win the productivity Cloud war right now to gain momentum as in the past beyond the competitors.

The windows device ecosystem with Windows 8, and soon 8.1 is focused on user experience and that shift also will help Microsoft to gain tradition on the consumer market and the mobile phone market.

It is going to be a hard choice n the device for users however on productivity tools, integrated systems Microsoft has position itself very well.

Coming Open offerings

Mid Size

E1

E3

Pro Plus

Exchange Online

Related articles

• WPC13 Series – Keynote highlights (partnerpul.se)
• Live Blog: Microsoft WPC 2013 (thevarguy.com)
• Microsoft simplifies moving between Office 365 SKUs (zdnet.com)

Office 365 Midsize Business, issues

Imagine that you want to buy some midsize business (M) O365 licenses and combine them with your field workers Kiosk licenses. Or even some E3 for your executives

Sorry….

M license cannot be combined for the same domain customer with any other

Basically if you categorize yourself in the mid size business sku that is all you can subscribe

So before you take the decision maybe you want to analyze a combination of Kiosk, E3 (as E2 was killed recently) and other subscriptions

This is a blow against distribution too as M license is the only one offered through the channel that allows MSP to mark it up.., Microsoft should change this and remove it from the long list of punches to the MSP sector.

Or…

Allow Kiosk licenses to be purchased by other non enterprise clients.

To protect a specific medium market against all combinations does not seem like a good licensing strategy. Nor even a good sales strategy…

And another thing, Microsoft please stop changing subscription plans, keep them for a year to see what happens!..,just my opinion.

to understand more about O365 contact me @mslicensing

Related articles

• Office 365 as a compliance solution (josefhanslara.wordpress.com)
• How and where to buy Office 365 (reviews.cnet.com)