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Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp

Two days of graduate-level training help you 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.

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Licensing Boot Camp FAQ

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:

  • SQL Server per-core and per-processor licensing models, including transition issues
  • Rules for server products licensed with Client Access Licenses (CALs), including Windows Server, Exchange, SharePoint, and SQL Server
  • How to evaluate and purchase Software Assurance
  • Key strategies to follow in your Enterprise Agreement (EA) evaluation process, including Office 365 licensing options
  • How to license products under BYOD and virtualized scenarios

You will also learn how to:

  • Design solutions in a way that minimizes licensing costs
  • Budget more effectively for upcoming deployments
  • Translate architecture into the necessary licenses
  • Identify and address compliance issues before you are audited
  • Interact more effectively with your reseller and 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

While the information presented is great, being in a room full of people trying to understand Microsoft licensing is priceless! I’ve picked up new information each time I’ve attended this Boot Camp

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

Although I have had many years in the IT field, I am new to Microsoft licensing and some of this stuff can be overwhelming. Attending your Boot Camp validated my thinking on some of the key concepts and really helped me get a solid foundation of knowledge in order to help my company maximize our investments in Microsoft technology. Even several weeks later, I am still reaping rewards from taking it!

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

Who Should Attend?

If your job has anything to do with licensing Microsoft technologies YOU should attend this seminar. Whether you’re an IT procurement specialist, a software asset manager, a systems architect, or a major Microsoft partner, this Boot Camp will advance your skills and give you the resources you need to address any Microsoft licensing question.

  • IT decision makers. Learn how to architect compliant solutions and how to accurately budget for Microsoft licenses.
  • Procurement professionals. Learn the fundamental concepts and vocabulary you need to work effectively with your Microsoft account manager and LAR. Learn how to optimize your purchases by choosing the right product licenses and volume licensing program for your organization's specific IT scenarios.
  • Software asset managers. Gain an understanding of the different types of Microsoft licenses, the rights they confer, and how they can be tracked. Learn how to avoid the most common Microsoft compliance mistakes.
  • Legal professionals. Learn about the Microsoft licensing rules, volume licensing programs, and the legal agreements that define your organization's relationship with Microsoft.
  • Solution partners. Get expertise to accurately advise your customers about their Microsoft licensing decisions.

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

The Boot Camp helped me understand the intricacies of the options out there for all the different Enterprise products. I learned some good tips about interacting with the LAR's too. If your company is going to purchase or renew with Microsoft, I highly recommend it!

Matt McGhee, Technology Risk Consultant, Deloitte & Touche

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 noncompliance. 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.

Everyone will leave with:

  • 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

Microsoft 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:

  • Get up-to-date on recent shifts in Microsoft licensing policies
  • Fill in any gaps in your Microsoft licensing knowledge
  • Validate what you already know and confirm it is still applicable

Directions on Microsoft Boot Camp Training is absolutely essential for anyone who deals with Microsoft licensing. The course is taught by the most knowledgeable professionals, the course material is timely and succinct, and the overall experience is positive. We moved to a win-win relationship with Microsoft now that we understand the licensing rules. I highly recommend Directions on Microsoft Boot Camp Training to anyone who has direct or indirect responsibility for insuring that your organization is compliant with Microsoft licensing rules.

John Meiers, Sourcing Leader, H&R Block

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?

Thousands of IT professionals from organizations large and small around the world have already graduated from the Boot Camp since we launched these classes in 2009. CIOs, CTOs, IT architects, software asset managers, and IT procurement professionals—all emerged vastly better equipped to understand and make informed decisions about their Microsoft licensing options. Boot Camp alumni represent companies such as:

4elements BV Exelon Corporation Pacific Life Insurance Company
Abbott Labs Express Scripts, Inc Packaging Dynamics Corporation
Accenture Faegre Baker Daniels LLP Panasonic Avionics
Adobe Systems Farm Bureau Insurance PG&E
AFT Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP PGDS One
Agilent Technologies Federal Aviation Administration Physicians Insurance
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Federal Home Loan Bank Piedmont Natural Gas
Alaska Railroad Corp Federal Law Enforcement Ctr. Pier 1 Imports
Align Technology Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Pinnacle Business Group
Allegis Group Inc Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Pioneer Natural Resources
Allied Building Supplies Fidelity National Financial Pitney Bowes
Alticor First Republic Bank Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
American Federation of Teachers First-Citizens Bank & Trust PJM Interconnection
American Stock Transfer & Trust FlagStar Port of Seattle
Americo Flexera Software Premera Blue Cross
Amerihealth Administrators Flow International Corporation PricewaterhouseCoopers
Amica Mutual Insurance FM Global Prime Care Technology
Amway Foley & Lardner LLP Prime Therapeutics
Anixter Food Services of America Progressive Insurance
Antares Management Solutions Forest City Enterprises Providence Health & Services
Apple Franklin Electric Providence Health System
Applied Materials FRCI PSAV
ARAMARK Corporation Fred Alger & Co. PTC
ArcelorMittal IT Supply Frost Bank Purdue Pharma L.P.
ARINC Incorporated GAIC Qatar Petroleum
Arion banki GE Healthcare Qatar Telecom
Arkansas Blue Cross General Mills Inc. Quest Diagnostics
Arkansas Electric Coop Gen-Probe Incorporated Quick Chek Corp
Armstrong World Industries Globe Life And Accident Ins Co Qualcomm
Audatex Graphic Packaging Intl. Rackspace
Avanade Great Southern Bank Rady Children's Hospital
Avanade Great-West Life Assurance Ralcorp Holdings
Aviation Authority GT Advanced Technologies Randstad
Avnet Guardian Life Insurance Raytheon
BAE Systems GuideOne Insurance RDV Corporation
Baker Hostetler LLP H&R Block Rio Tinto
Banfield Hospital Haldex Brake Products AB Rising Medical Solutions Inc
Battelle Memorial Institute Harleysville Insurance Robert Half International
BBU, INC Harris Country Hospital District Robin Hood Foundation
BC Liquor Distribution Branch HealthSpring Rockwell Automation
BCD Travel HEB Grocery Ross Stores
BDO Siedman LLP Henry Schein Inc. Rovi Corporation
Belastingdienst Hess Corporation Rowan Companies, Inc
Bemis Manufacturing Hewlett Foundation RTI Biologics
Bentley Systems Incorporated Hewlett Packard Rx Center - Jean Coutu Group
Bermuda Hospitals Board Highlights for Children S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc
Bio-Rad Laboratories Hill Mechanical Group S1 Corporation
Black Box Network Services Hollister Incorporated SABIC
Bloomberg Home Depot Sagicor Financial Corporation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Honeywell Technology Solutions SAIC
Blue Cross Blue Shield S. Carolina Hewlett Packard Sallie Mae
Blue Earth County HP Fairfield LLC Sanofi-Aventis
BMC Software Huntsman International SAS Institute
Boehringer Ingelheim USA Husky Energy SaskTel
Boise Inc IBM SCA Hygiene Products AB
Bonneville Power Administration ICN SCA Packaging
BP International Limited IDRC SchoolsFirst FCU
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. IHS Inc. Scottrade
BSEE Impact Fulfillment Services Seagate Technology
Business Connexion InComm Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
CA Technologies Information Tech. Authority SI Group
Cabela's Inc. Ingram Micro Sierra Southwest Cooperative
Cablevision Insight Signal International, Inc.
Calgary Police Service Insight Technology Solutions SilkRoad Technology
Cambia Health Solutions, Inc. Instinet Smithsonian Institution
Cameron International Corp. Institute of Museum and Library SNL Financial LC
Campbell County ITS Insurance Auto Auctions Snohomish County InfoServices
Canada Life IntelliDyne SoftwareONE
Canadian Depository Intermountain Healthcare Solosoft
Canadian Pacific Railway Intl. Research Development Ctr. Sorenson Communications
Capgemini Invensys Corporation Spokane County Library District
Capital One Irvine Company SRA International Inc.
CapitalSource Bank Itegris St. John Health Systems
Canadian Imperial Bank ITW Stewart Title
Carilion Clinic IVENT StoneRiver Inc
Cassidy Turley J. R. Simplot STP Nuclear Operating Co.
Catholic Health Services JCPenney Strathcona County
CBS Interactive Johnson Controls Inc STV Incorporated
CGA-Canada Joint Special Ops. Command Sullivan & Cromwell
CH2MHILL Kane County Government Suncorp
Charles Stark Draper Labs KCP&L SunTrust Bank
Charter Communications Keystone Foods LLC Swinerton Inc.
Cherokee Nation Businesses Kimberly-Clark Symantec
Chesapeake Energy King County Symantec Corporation
Children's Mercy Hospital Koch Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Cigna Koniag Development Corp. TD Ameritrade
Cisco Systems KPMG Teleflex
Citizens Property Insurance Kraft & Kennedy Inc. Teleflora
Citrix Systems, Inc. LANDesk Telephone and Data Systems
City of Seattle Landstar System, Inc Texas Children's Hospital
City of Seattle Dept. of IT Legg Mason Texas Tech University
Clarient Lend Lease The Doe Run Company
Clark Schaefer Hackett LendingTree, LLC The Travelers Companies
ClearEdge Partners LG&E and KU Services Company Thrivent Financial
Coinstar Liberty International TMK IPSCO
Colliers International Liberty Mutual Insurance T-Mobile
Colorado Springs Utilties Littelfuse Inc. Torchmark
Columbia Sportswear Lockheed Martin Toyota Motor Sales
Compucom Magellan Midstream Partners Transatlantic Reinsurance
Cooper Standard Magna International Inc. Trans Ocean
Country Financial Managesoft Transport Canada
County of Marin Maritz Inc. Tri State Generation
County of Sonoma Marshfield Clinic Trimble Navigation
Coventry Health Care, Inc. Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank TSA
Crowley Maritime Corporation Mass Mutual Tucson Electric Power Company
CSX Transportation Inc. Mayo Clinic TV GLOBO
Cumulus Associates McClure U.S. District Court
Dassault Systemes McKesson Corporation Unisys
DaVita McMaster-Carr Supply United Natural Foods
Deere & Company Medco Health Services, UnitedHealth Group
Dell Medline Industries Universal Property & Casualty
Deloitte & Touche MemorialCare University of Florida
Dendreon Corporation Mercy University of Wisconsin
Denver Water MidWestOne Bank Univision
Department of the Interior Mitsui Sumitomo Marine UNOS
Devon Energy Corporation Molex UPS
DHL IS Services s.r.o Moody's US Comptroller of the Currency
Dimension Data Mortgage Guaranty Insurance USG Corporation
Draper Laboratory Mutual of Omaha Verizon
DRS N3 LLC Via Christi Health
DRW Holdings, LLC National Semiconductor Visteon Corporation
DST Systems, Inc. Navy Exchange Srvc. Command W.L. Gore & Associates
Duke Energy NIH Wake Forest University
Dutch Tax and Custom Services Nike Walton International Group
Dykema North Shore LIJ Health System We Energies
EarthLink, Inc. Northrop Grumman Wellmark Blue Cross
East West Bank NOVA Chemicals Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Eaton Corporation Novell Wells Fargo
Edmonton Police Service Oak Ridge Assoc. Universities West Bend Mutual Insurance
EMC Corporation Occidental Petroleum Western Digital
En Pointe Technologies Ohio Health Wilbur-Ellis
Enterprise Holdings Inc. Ohio National Financial Services Williams-Sonoma
Enterprise Integration Oil States Woodforest National Bank
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Origin Healthcare WSECU
ePlus Technology Oshkosh Corporation Wunderman Seattle
Ernst and Young Outokumpu Stainless Yale New Haven Hospital
Essent (RWE) Owens Corning Yellowbook
eTelligent Solutions Oxy Inc. Zones
ETFS Pace Bus Suburban Service
Exel Inc. Pacific Life

Exceeded my expectations in the amount of knowledge I gained.

Bruce Burgin, Operations Leader, Owens Corning

It's my job to be our company's Microsoft licensing expert and I've always relied on Directions on Microsoft for objective and factual information. I just returned from your licensing boot camp in Las Vegas and must say that I've never received that level of detailed training anywhere else.

Kevin Suckow, US Director of Enterprise Sales, SoftwareOne

Top 6 Reasons to Attend the Licensing Boot Camp

1. Discover new options that reduce licensing costs.

2. Learn how to stay compliant without overbuying.

3. Fill in critical gaps in your licensing knowledge.

4. Identify weaknesses in your licensing strategy.

5. Add confidence to your EA and SA decisions.

6. 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, Discover SAM 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?

The Licensing Boot Camp was an incredible help in pulling it all together just in time for contract renewal. Without it I would be making uninformed decisions that would have left the company in a noncompliance or overpurchase situation.

Jim Jones, Director, Information Technology, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation

What Makes Our Training Different?

No hidden agenda. We're not Microsoft or one of its 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 and 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.

Daphine Devine, Program Manager, Technology Sourcing & Contracts Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Directions on Microsoft is amazing. We have never had a resource on licensing that even comes close to what you provide.

Nancy Taylor, Manager, IT Expenses, Torchmark

Convince Your Boss!

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


Dear [your boss’s name here]:

I’d like to attend the Directions on Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp. This seminar will help me obtain essential but hard-to-find licensing knowledge and best practices—knowledge I’ll use to help our company make smarter licensing decisions and avoid potentially expensive mistakes.

Directions on Microsoft is an independent analyst firm in the Seattle, WA, area that has focused exclusively on Microsoft technologies and licensing programs since 1992. Their Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp provides two days of intensive licensing training, including:

  • The requirements of licensing the major Microsoft products, such as Windows Server and Exchange
  • How to evaluate Microsoft volume licensing programs, such as Enterprise Agreement and Select
  • The best way to purchase the licenses we need
  • How to stay in compliance without overbuying


The seminar also gives me the opportunity to network with my peers from around the globe to discuss Microsoft licensing ideas, lessons learned, and success stories. The registration fee covers Boot Camp admission, morning coffee service and lunch both days, access to experts for one-on-one sessions, and valuable content to share with my colleagues when I return.

This event is held only a few times a year, and feedback from previous Boot Camp attendees indicates it’s well worth the investment.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[your name here]

Registration Details



Chicago Boot Camp Pricing:

  • Sept. 18-19, 2017 (8 am - 5 pm): Gleacher Center
  • Individual Registration: $2,695
  • Individual Early Bird Registration*: $2,495 (Ends Aug. 1, 2017)
  • Register two or more, receive a 10% discount
  • Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch both days
  • Hotel Room Block


    • Dallas Boot Camp Pricing:

  • Oct. 25-26, 2017 (8 am - 5 pm): Cityplace Events Conference Center
  • Individual Registration: $2,695
  • Individual Early Bird Registration*: $2,495
  • Register two or more, receive a 10% discount
  • Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch both days
  • Hotel Room Block




    • * Early Bird registration discount applies to first registrant only. Additional discounts available for group registrations.


    Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds:

    Submission of a registration, either online, by phone, email, or fax, constitutes an official booking. Full payment must be received in advance of the Licensing Boot Camp (LBC). Your registration is not considered confirmed until full payment has been received.

    You may cancel your registration and receive a refund or credit for a future LBC less a $500 administrative fee as long as we receive your cancellation request no later than 15 days before your scheduled training.

    There are no refunds for cancellations made less than 15 days prior to your scheduled LBC start date. Cancellations made less than 15 days prior to the scheduled LBC start date with a balance due will receive an invoice for the full registration amount due.


    Boot Camp Registration

    For questions or more information, please call +1 425-739-4669 or email us at licensing@DirectionsOnMicrosoft.com.

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