Microsoft Limits Free Windows 7 Upgrades
Gartner analyst Michael Silver is calling attention to this limit with his latest research note. In his note, Silver writes, "Microsoft has limited the number of free Windows 7 upgrades that can be claimed via its Windows Upgrade Option…. Organizations need to understand their Windows 7 requirements and obtain rights for the best value."
Just last week, Microsoft fleshed out the details of the Windows Upgrade Option program for the first time. Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc disclosed the details in a blog post. He wrote: "Anyone who buys a PC from a participating OEM or retailer with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate on it will all receive an upgrade to the corresponding version at little or no cost to customers."
Silver speculates that Microsoft might be limiting the number of PCs that are eligible for this upgrade in order to increase sales of its Software Assurance licenses. Software Assurance provides businesses with unlimited upgrades for three years, but companies must pay between $100 and $150 per PC for this right.
For companies that need to upgrade more than 25 PCs between now and October 22, Silver recommends contacting PC manufacturers and asking for the right to upgrade later at no cost. Because large OEMs administer their own programs, they have greater ability to do this and are able to make exceptions for organizations.
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>> For companies that need to upgrade more than 25 PCs between now and October 22, Silver recommends contacting PC manufacturers and asking for the right to upgrade later at no cost. << At no cost "to the end-company". He's recommending that companies strong-arm the PC manufacturers into eating the upgrade cost (though the manufacturers get a bigger discount). Someone's still paying for the upgrade, or MS wouldn't have put the limit in place. |
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businesses should get non activating copies of Win 7 and the appropriate license agreement with MS then you can go for it and not have to worry about a thing. For companies that have alot of computers, a site license is a good idea as they generally cost less than having to pay per machine. |
Unfortunately not every company can afford to be compliant with licensing so what do they do? They buy computers as needed and take whatever O/S and version of MS Office they can get in a bundle. Sure makes things difficult to have all employee on the same versions of everyhting but in the end you do what you gotta do. to buy a system from a vendor sans O/S or any other software would cost more in the long run.
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