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:

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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.