Everybody likes to save money. So, if you neglected to take advantage of Microsoft’s Big Easy sale, originally set to end on Mar. 31, don’t despair. You now have until May 31 to get in on the savings. Just to refresh everyone’s memory, when you buy or renew eligible open software agreements, you get 15% of the purchase price back in the form of partner subsidy dollars for single products. When purchasing two or more eligible products, you receive 20% of your purchase price back as partner subsidy dollars. Products eligible for the sale are Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Windows Server 2008 R2, Small-Business Server 2011, Microsoft Lync 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Don’t forget that after Apr. 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, non-security hotfixes, free paid assisted support or online technical content updates for their Microsoft Office 2003, Windows XP or Exchange 2003 offerings.  And people only have until Jul. 14, 2015 before extended support for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 expires. Microsoft’s blog provides additional information. The cost of upgrading or replacing software can set a small-business owner back a bit, especially if his business has more than a dozen employees. So, those who still have software from 2003 might want to consider taking advantage of the opportunity provided by this extended sale and upgrade their software. Waiting until the last minute, like when the upgrades and support expire, could lead to frustration and unnecessary added expense. Need help with your Microsoft licenses?  Speak with us today about all your Microsoft licensing requirements.

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Microsoft Extends Big Easy

It’s easy to procrastinate, especially when it comes to doing mundane or tedious tasks such as upgrading software. But when there are savings involved, it makes sense to put upgrading your company’s software somewhere near the top of your list of priorities. Microsoft’s Big Easy offer allows small-business owners to save 15% off Microsoft’s estimated retail price in subsidy dollars for single products or 20% off when purchasing two or more eligible products. If you haven’t taken advantage of this offer, yet, you’d better act fast.  It ends March 31, 2012. Eligible products are Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Windows Server 2008 R2, Small-Business Server 2011, Microsoft Lync 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Also keep in mind that support for Office 2003, Windows XP and Exchange 2003 is ending. If small-business owners have computers that are still running the software after April 8, 2014, they will no longer receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options or online technical content updates. They have until July 14, 2015 for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 Extended Support. They can learn more by visiting Microsoft’s blog . Updating software might be the most interesting aspect of your job, but if you’re committed to your company’s success, you need to stay current with the latest technological advances. The opportunity to save money as well is the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down.

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Don’t Forget About Microsoft’s Big Easy Offering

Close on the heels of the release of the Windows 8 consumer preview comes Microsoft’s announcement of the release of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 on Mar. 6, 2012. Those who want to test SQL Server 2012 can  download  a “fully functional” trial version of the software that will expire automatically after six months. Those who are already sold on it can get a fully licensed version whenever they want. So, what does SQL Server 2012 have to offer? According to Microsoft, it can “Deliver required uptime and data protection with AlwaysOn Gain breakthrough and predictable performance and enable rapid data discovery for deeper insights across an organization with ColumnStore Index Help enable security and compliance with new user-defined roles and default schema for groups Ensure more credible, consistent data with SSIS improvements, a master data services add-in for Excel and new data quality services Optimize IT and developer productivity across server and cloud with Data-tier  Application  Component (DAC) parity with SQL Azure and SQL Server Data Tools for a unified development experience across database, business intelligence and cloud functions” Microsoft SQL Server 2012 won’t work with every operating system, of course. It supports Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2. Computers with 32-bit systems must have Intel or a compatible 1GHz or faster processor. Those with 64-bit systems must have a 1.4 GHz or faster processor. A minimum of 1GB of RAM and 2.2 GB of available hard disk space are also required. Small-business owners or IT professionals who are interested in learning more can do so  here . As your trusted Microsoft Partner we are ready to help you with all your Microsoft support needs.  Call us today.

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Are you ready for Microsoft SQL Server 2012?

Sooner or later every small-business owner has to upgrade his company’s software. No matter how well the old software seems to be doing, at some point, it will start to fail or fail to support newer technology. That time may be now for some. Others may simply prefer to stay current with new software and other technology as they emerge. Regardless of whether you need or want to upgrade, now is as good a time as any to do it. With Microsoft’s Big Easy offer, small-business owners can receive partner subsidy dollars when they buy or renew current eligible open software agreements. Business owners can save 15% off Microsoft’s estimated retail price in subsidy dollars for single products or 20% off when purchasing two or more eligible products. Although there’s still plenty of time for small-business owners to take advantage of this special deal, it won’t last forever. The offer ends March 31, 2012. Eligible products are Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Windows Server 2008 R2, Small-Business Server 2011, Microsoft Lync 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Special savings aren’t the only reason why now is a good time to upgrade. Support for Office 2003, Windows XP and Exchange 2003 is ending. If small-business owners have computers that are still running the software after April 8, 2014, they can expect to receive no more new security updates, non-security hotfixes or free paid assisted support options or online technical content updates. They have until July 14, 2015 for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 Extended Support. They can learn more by visiting Microsoft’s blog . Change can be scary and frustrating, but it’s a part of life. Those small-business owners who want to succeed in their industries need to stay current with the latest technological advances. The chance to save 15% or 20% in the process should make the decision that much easier.

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Welcome to the Big Easy

Flexibility and better connectivity are two of the major driving forces behind the new Windows Multipoint Server 2011, which sports new features including LAN / RDP support as well as support for thin clients, laptops, netbooks, and older workstations.

Cost efficiency and value are some of the major concerns many businesses – especially small ones – have these days. It is essential for small businesses to be able to minimize expenses while keeping productivity and quality up to standards.

Microsoft's Windows Server systems have always been designed with this concern in mind. And with the new version of Windows Multipoint Server, better and improved features are designed to enable businesses to be more flexible in the way they use Windows products while keeping costs to a minimum.

What's different this time around? For one, while we always recommend using the latest systems, Windows Multipoint Server 2011 accommodates older systems – so if you still have some older workstations you haven't been able to upgrade just yet, you can still squeeze some more productivity from them until you can upgrade. Windows Multipoint Server 2011 also supports thin clients (computers that depend on a server for the majority of their calculations), laptops, and netbooks using the regular LAN network – among other methods.

Another new feature of the new Multipoint Server is that it can be backed up by Windows Small Business Server Essentials, and it also provides better connectivity with Windows Small Business Server 2011 and Windows Home Server 2011. Through Windows Multipoint Server 2011, administrators can also view and interact with station desktops connected to it.

If you want to know more about the new Windows Multipoint Server, please give us a call and we'll be happy to sit down with you and discuss how it can improve the way you do business.