Microsoft NFR Sold to Customers – By Microsoft

This is as followup to the original software piracy plea for help I made earlier this week. I wanted to update you on the events that took place yesterday as this has seriously upset our generally quiet Orlando Microsoft Partner community. You are not going to believe what happened with this client:

Ok now I have seen everything. A follow-up call to client made my jaw drop to the floor.

Sometime yesterday, client called Microsoft spoke with someone about what he needs. Somehow the rep at Microsoft got this DOCTOR pointed in the direction of the ACTION PACK subscription which would give him SQL. Client says he is all signed up and waiting for it to come.

This guy is in no means an IT provider. He is a doctor. He runs an urgent care center, and has a second center being constructed a few miles away, and plans to use the ACTION PACK to run everything.

How the hell did that happen?

I have a meeting with him at noon on Monday. Who wants to join me?

Thanks,
Judd Spence

Now just in case you misread any of that: The customer (medical practice) called Microsoft and they sold him the Action Pack, the software collection given under NFR to the Microsoft Partners to get familiar and build their business on Microsoft software. This targets software consultants, software developers, network infrastructure engineers. Suffice to say that my Microsoft contacts were shocked this could happen and they followed up with both the client and Judd Spence to help resolve this.

I have assurances from several high profile Microsoft members that they have had several meetings regarding this issue this week and will have more next week. I’m happy they are showing concern and will keep you updated on what happens next. As usual, if you are a Microsoft partner and you have a comment on how Microsoft can help improve the Small Business channel partner experience, please provide feedback here.