TechNet Subscriptions – new changes launched
You have more choices now. And if you never used the included supports calls, then you now have the ability to go for a cheaper subscription now called Standard. Here are the SKU descriptions:
- Microsoft® TechNet Subscription Standard: Tailored to help IT Professionals evaluate, test, and troubleshoot Microsoft software for desktop environments. TechNet Standard does not include some enterprise editions of Microsoft software.
- Microsoft® TechNet Subscription Professional: Geared towards IT Professionals who need a more comprehensive subscription and are primarily focused on supporting enterprise wide environments such as the following scenarios: server consolidation, interoperability, network management and more.
- Microsoft® TechNet Subscription Professional with Media: Offers the same benefits as TechNet Professional, but is geared towards those organizations with bandwidth constraints and/or prefer a DVD copy of software.
Want to see the side-by-side comparison? See https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb892756.aspx. Now keep in mind this is the view from my machine which uses the EN-US language and locale. Your view may differ slightly, especially when you go look at the prices at https://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/buy.aspx. Here’s a screenshot:
Be sure to look at the program descriptions carefully before choosing. See the FAQ at https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx for more information. Enjoy.
[UPDATE for 6/30/2010] A spreadsheet was added to the bottom of the FAQ that gives you a side-by-side comparison of the products in the Standard and Pro subscriptions. It’s currently missing some of the Office 2010 products but I’m sure that will be corrected rather soon.