One of the problems a small business faces, particularly when budgets are extremely tight, is software purchasing and any associated licensing costs. Fortunately for those involved in marketing, supporting, developing for, or implementing Microsoft software products and services; there is a low cost solution.
The Microsoft Action Pack (knows as MAPS) is a yearly subscription service from Microsoft and is available to small business owners, the self employed, and consultants who have registered through the Microsoft Partner Program and provide Microsoft services as an end product. Surprisingly, in my personal travels as a consultant, most of the solutions providers I interact with are unaware of this offering from Microsoft. Yes, it is also true that Microsoft has many software subscription programs available such as Technet, however, what sets this program apart from the others are the costs and benefits of use.
MAPS has an enrollment cost of $299/year +tax for online delivery ($498/year +tax for physical media delivery) and features quarterly updates that include new technologies that have since become available, such as the forthcoming release of Office 2010. All included software is intended for the purpose of running your business and the licenses are not transferrable and not-for-distribution. What sets this subscription apart from other subscriptions such as Technet? Technet is geared towards the IT professional for testing and evaluation purposes which means the software is not licensed to be used as active software in a live production environment. With the Action Pack, Microsoft directly states that “Your Action Pack Subscription entitles you to internal-use software for internal business purposes, application development, and testing.”
So what does all of the above mean?
Let’s say for example, you run a small software consultancy and you wish to equip a few sales laptops with Windows 7 and Office 2007. You also have the need for a Windows Server 2008 server for collaborating in a secure domain environment and Exchange Server 2007 for internal and Internet email. At retail this short list of requirements will without question cost a few thousand dollars. With the Microsoft Action Pack, total cost of ownership is dramatically reduced, at the least, $299.
How do I obtain the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS)?
In order to apply for a Microsoft Action Pack subscription you must first apply to be a Microsoft Partner. There are varying levels of partnership in the Partner Program, and at the least, registration in the program is free and allows for MAPS eligibility as requirements are met. It also important to note that subscription requests are only accepted online and not by phone.
So, what does the Microsoft Action Pack include?
The Microsoft Action Pack is continuously updated as new technologies become available. As of this writing, highlights of the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription feature the following.
Windows 7 Professional (10 Licenses)
Windows 7 Ultimate (1 License)
Office 2007 Enterprise (10 Licenses)
Windows Server 2008 R2 (1 License + 10 CALs)
Exchange Server 2001 Standard (1 License + 10 CALs)
Other included software technologies include: SQL Server, Project Professional, Visio Professional, Expression Web, Forefront Security, MapPoint, SharePoint, Dynamics, Operations Manager, ISA, and Office Communicator.
For more information, support, licensing questions, and current contents of the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) you can visit: https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40016472
