Microsoft adds to Software Assurance
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Microsoft reached out last week to soothe users irritated by its controversial Software Assurance purchasing plan by offering a number of free technical support, training, and software installation tools.
"This is an effort to reconnect with our customers to give them something back to strengthen the relationship. There was a lot of stress in that relationship and this move, which we hope is the first of many, is a way to let them know we have taken their feedback to heart," said Rebecca LaBrunerie, Microsoft's product marketing manager for worldwide licensing and pricing in Redmond, Wash.
The technical support programs that will now be made available include a self-paced e-learning training course and free tools to help users better deploy Microsoft software. The Corporate Error Reporting tool will allow users to send bug reports to IT managers, and Win PE is a mini RAM-imaging tool that helps IT managers roll out software for numerous desktop systems. The company also will offer a TechNet tool that searches for relevant technical information.