Schools agreement support

[cookie_monster]

Do you receive any free support or PSS calls with a school agreement or do you need a technet subscription to get this benefit?

I need to raise a support issue with PSS but i'd like to avoid being charged if possible.

 

Thanks.

[teejay]

You do usually, check on your Microsoft Licensing page for you entitlement, it will be under Software Assurance Benefits.

[cookie_monster]

Can you tell me what it would be listed as, the only likely item I can see is "TechNet SA Subscription Services"

[teejay]

Should have one for Technet Plus Direct, the person registered for that gets two free support calls, plus enhanced support through the forums.

[cookie_monster]

Oh!!! "TechNet Plus Direct - Not Available"

[DMcCoy]

I'm pretty sure the schools agreement gets you nothing in the way of support, I've certainly never found anything.

[cookie_monster]

Ok I think i'll just have to ring PSS and risk being charged.

[teejay]

I'm pretty sure the schools agreement gets you nothing in the way of support, I've certainly never found anything.

 

We have on ours via Technet Plus Direct in the Software Assurance benefits. If you don't have it, you need to either get onto the reseller who manages your Schools Agreement.

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/schools/software-licensing/types-of-educational-licence/software-assurance.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb521230.aspx

Edited September 28, 2009 by teejay

[cookie_monster]

Signing up to that will probably cost more than just logging a call with PSS though.

[teejay]

Software Assurance is included as part of the School Agreement, there isn't an extra charge.

[DMcCoy]

Hmm, it seems that it is listed as Technet Plus Direct now, in the past there wasn't very much available for this.

 

You cannot activate it from the license administrator account it seems, you need to invite a user (even if it is the same email address).

 

That sent me an email containing a technet ID:

 

TechNet Plus Direct includes the following:

 

 

• Support Incidents - For your toughest technical questions, use your two complimentary Technical Support incidents to talk to a Microsoft Support Professional via phone or Web.

[teejay]

The newgroup support is also good as well, you just have to make sure you follow the instructions for using the right user name in the forum posts as they monitor the forums for posts from the registered Technet Plus usernames and generally ignore everything else!

[cookie_monster]

I'll give that a try.

[cookie_monster]

How strange that you have to do that, I now get the message below

 

As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase.

 

I can't see a number to ring or a way to raise a call online. Am I missing something obvious?

[DMcCoy]

How strange that you have to do that, I now get the message below

 

 

 

I can't see a number to ring or a way to raise a call online. Am I missing something obvious?

 

Go to: https://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/manage/default.aspx

 

Log in with your MS account details (mine is same as Licensing). Go to Add benefit or subscription. Sign up with the TSA number from your email where it says Benefit Access Number.

 

Once this (eventually) is processed you are logged in to your technet account, an option on this first page is support incidents.

[cookie_monster]

I don't see that option, I did just have a chat with the online help and they said the first time i'll have to ring and gave me a number so I'll do that.

 

Thanks.

[cookie_monster]

I've been informed that you have to spend more than $20000 a year to get a free support call. That's what I can tight.