Microsoft will update Software Assurance Training Vouchers in February 2020 to ensure that Software Assurance remains relevant and useful for customers. This change in direction will see some Software Assurance benefits being retired or modified to eliminate redundancies and better align Software Assurance benefits across Microsoft’s products and services. These changes will simplify the redemption of benefits and replace obsolete implementation mechanisms. Software Assurance can be used to optimize customer business performance. Each customer experience is different.
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Microsoft is investing in new ways for organizations to deploy, train, support, and maintain the products and services that they purchase. Microsoft is ending the overlapping and obsolete Software Assurance benefits because they overlap with these new ways.
Why are training vouchers being removed?
Customers and the market overwhelmingly favored a simplified learning experience. Microsoft has made significant investments to improve the quality and alignment of certifications and training offerings outside of Software Assurance.
When will the SATV changes take place?
The changes will begin in February 2020 and will be gradually implemented by January 1, 2022.
February 1, 2020
Training vouchers cannot be converted to planning service days.
Retire accrual new planning daysRetire accrual new training vouchersNew contracts will no longer have any training vouchers assigned after this date, and existing contracts will not receive any additional training vouchers. January 1, 2022
Last day to redeem planning day vouchers for existing contractLast day for redemption of training vouchersfor existing contractWill the changes be applicable to all active Software Assurance contracts starting February 2020?
All contracts, regardless of status, will be affected by the changes starting February 1, 2020. Customers can still use the benefits they have already earned. They will still be eligible for deployment planning days, training day and support incidents up to February 2021. You can still use your deployment planning days and training vouchers until January 2022.
How long will customers be able to use their existing vouchers for?
Customers can still redeem any training days they have earned as vouchers up to January 1, 2022. Beginning February 1, 2020, Azure content will be removed form the voucher course list.
Where can customers get help with their training benefits?
Azure customers: Before your Azure training vouchers expire in February 2020, contact a SATV utilization specialist to redeem them. FastTrack for Azure is available to help businesses and organizations that have an Azure project that has a defined workload.
Non-Azure Microsoft customers: Training vouchers expire January 2022. However, don’t delay to schedule training. Talk to a SATV expert to discuss how to redeem your vouchers before the expires.
About Microsoft Software Assurance Training Coupons
You can receive training vouchers that allow you to take courses from Microsoft Learning partners like New Horizons for a certain number of training days. The number of days granted varies depending on the program and the number qualifying Office or Windows licenses that are covered by Software Assurance.
Training vouchers offer the following benefits:
Enhance employee skill – Increase productivity by providing training and support for your IT staff. Reduced training costs–Training is already covered under the Software Assurance coverage. SATV allows you to provide technical training for your IT Pros and Developer staff without affecting your budget. One training voucher day equals one classroom-training day.
