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Microsoft Licensing 

Boot Camp

Two days of graduate-level training to develop your own Microsoft licensing expertise and equip you with the critical knowledge you need to drive maximum value from your company's Microsoft software investments.

Next Boot Camps:

San Diego, February 21-22, 2012
New York City, April 18-19, 2012
Barcelona, April 24-25, 2012
Seattle, July 19-20, 2012

Brochure and Curriculum: (download pdf)

Rick Lloyd, Director of IT Planning & Strategy, Pitney Bowes

What is it?

The Directions on Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp is a two-day workshop that demystifies Microsoft licensing programs and rules. You get the information and knowledge you need to intelligently evaluate your Microsoft licensing options and maximize the return on your software investments. Learn licensing in a way that is clear and concise, with no hidden agendas.

You will learn:

• Key Microsoft licensing concepts, terminology and models
  
• How to evaluate and purchase Software Assurance
  
• Server and CAL models for the major products, such as Exchange and Windows Server
  
• Key strategies to follow in your Enterprise Agreement evaluation process
• How to license products under virtualized scenarios

• Design solutions in a way that minimizes licensing costs
• Budget more effectively for upcoming deployments
• Translate architecture into the necessary licenses
• Spot gaps in your licensing compliance to avoid unpleasant "surprises"
• Interact more effectively with your reseller & Microsoft representative
• Choose the most appropriate volume program for your company
• Ease your licensing administrative burden
• Time license purchases to maximize discounts, lock-in prices, and reduce maintenance payments

Jan Morris, CSAM, IT Procurement/Licensing Administrator, GuideOne Insurance

Beryl Scrivens, Finance & Operations Officer, Intl. Development Resource Center

" At IVENT we spend a great deal of time and money making sure that we
carefully manage our Microsoft technology and licenses. It’s critical to our success that we have a strong understanding of Microsoft licensing so we can implement current and plan future initiatives in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. Your Boot Camp provided us with clear, understandable explanations on key Microsoft products. You have made our jobs a lot easier and now we can focus on other things using the time that we’ve saved. "

Christ van Gestel, Product Group Manager, IVENT

Why Attend?

You already know this better than anyone: Microsoft licensing presents an overwhelming array of programs and choices, each with its own set of implications that could seriously impact your IT operations, budgets, and plans. Making the wrong choice can cost you thousands of dollars, or worse, expose you to legal risk because of non-compliance. Gain confidence in your choices and network with your peers to get an insider's knowledge of how to find the answers your team needs for any licensing scenario.

• At least one tip that, by itself, more than pays for this course
• A to-do list of action items
• A reference guide to consult afterward
• Useful new peer contacts

Licensing newcomers will learn:

• Microsoft's licensing vocabulary and concepts
• How Microsoft's major products are licensed
• How the different volume licensing programs work
• A framework on which to build your licensing expertise

Microsoft licensing veterans will:

• Validate what you already know
• Fill in any gaps in your Microsoft licensing knowledge
• Get up-to-date on recent shifts in Microsoft licensing policies

" Before attending your Licensing Boot Camp, I would architect Microsoft landscapes without the benefit of licensing expertise. Now that I have the fundamentals, I will design more effective solutions that not only take advantage of Microsoft's technology but its business policies or licensing restrictions as well. This will result in our saving money on unplanned or avoidable Microsoft license fees. Thank you! "

Brien Johnston, IT Director, Ivensys Corporation

" Although the topic of licensing can be dry, complicated, and exhausting, the "Licensing Fundamentals" section of the course was well written, current, and turned on the light bulb in all areas. "

Lyle Arsenault, Manager, IT Administration, Husky Energy

Who's Already Attended?

IT professionals from more than 650 companies have already graduated from the Boot Camp since we launched these classes less than two years ago. CIOs, CTOs, IT architects, software asset managers, and vendor &  procurement management professionals - all emerged vastly better equipped to understand and make informed decisions about their Microsoft licensing options. Boot camp alumni represent companies such as:

Kevin Suckow, US Director of Enterprise Sales, SoftwareOne

" Exceeded my expectations in the amount of knowledge I gained. "

Bruce Burgin, Operations Leader, Owens Corning

Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Licensing Boot Camp

1. Get critical information and understanding to build your licensing expertise

2. Identify opportunities to keep your company in compliance without overbuying

3. Fill in gaps in your knowledge and identify weaknesses in your strategy

4. Discover new licensing options that could save you thousands of dollars

5. Network with your peers and compare notes

" Having read many editions of Directions on Microsoft I can honestly say the licensing content is truly first-class and has been an invaluable resource in providing me with detailed and accurate licensing information and answers that I have been unable to find anywhere else. "

Troy Parker, Software Asset Management & Licensing Specialist, iComply Pty Ltd

What's it Worth to You?

Ever wonder if licensing training is worthwhile? Sometimes you can get free training from your software vendor or reseller. Sometimes you can hire a consultant to review your situation and give you negotiating advice.

Well, that's not what we do. We train you in the fundamentals of Microsoft licensing from A to Z so that you can develop your own expertise. By the end of our Boot Camp, you'll have the in-house knowledge you need to avoid tens-of-thousands of dollars in unnecessary licensing costs. And if you do decide to hire a consultant, you'll quickly know if the advice you're getting is sound.

No one can possibly know everything about Microsoft licensing. But you can get close enough to protect your investments. We'll help you master the ground rules, spot new opportunities for savings, and know what licensing traps to avoid as you plan new projects. You'll be far better prepared whenever you talk to your Microsoft sales representatives or consultants. Isn't it worth it?

Jim Jones, Director, Information Technology, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation

What Makes Our Training Different?

No hidden agenda. We're not Microsoft or one of their LARs, so we don't have a vested interest in how much software your company buys. And we're not a software asset management vendor or consultant, so we don't have a vested interested in selling you a SAM solution or a consulting project. We're educators. Our sole mission is to equip you to be your own best advocate when it comes to licensing Microsoft software.

Focus & depth. Unlike many companies that offer Microsoft licensing training, we're not a one-man shop. Nor are we a side-business of a much larger company. We're an independent analyst firm focused exclusively on Microsoft since 1992. Our experts have decades of industry experience and an institutional understanding of Microsoft technologies and how they're licensed. In terms of focus and depth-of-knowledge, no other company even comes close.

Backed by research. We back up our training with the best set of Microsoft licensing information resources available. These include in-depth licensing guides for each key product and a monthly licensing update service that keeps you abreast of significant changes in Microsoft licensing policies -- detailed and objective information that will reinforce and sustain everything you learn at our seminar.

" Microsoft licensing can be overwhelming, to say the least! Hearing from independent experts who have no personal stake in my decisions is of extreme value. I was able to take off the 'negotiating' hat, which is always present when speaking to vendors. "

Convince Your Boss!

Cut and paste this letter if you need to justify this training for your boss:

Registration Details

• February 21-22, 2012: San Diego (Early Bird registration closes Jan. 13, 2012)
• April 18-19, 2012: New York City
• April 24-25, 2012: Barcelona
• July 19-20, 2012: Seattle

• Individual Registration: $2,695
• Individual Early Bird Registration: $2495
• Register two or more, receive a 10% discount
• Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch both days

You will receive a full refund if you cancel your registration at least 30 days before the event. Thereafter, you will receive a full credit towards a future Licensing Boot Camp.

Location & Schedule:

• San Diego: Westin San Diego (www.westin.com) 400 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
• New York: Robin Hood Foundation Conference Center, 826 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003
• Barcelona: Melia Sitges Hotel (www.melia-sitges.com/en) Joan Salvat Papasseit 38, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, SPAIN
• Seattle: Bell Harbor International Conference Center (www.bellharbor.com) 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle, WA 98121

For questions or more information, please call 425-739-4669 or
email us at licensing@DirectionsOnMicrosoft.com.