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Cool SA Toolset Gets Partner Push

Microsoft is marshalling some partner resources behind an interesting new licensing package that rolls together the fruits of a few of the software giant's recent acquisitions.

The company announced the Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance last week (Click here for Stuart Johnston's news article on the pack).

Basically, Microsoft is presenting some slick new ways for Software Assurance customers to access four products that Microsoft now owns: Softricity Softgrid for dynamic delivery of virtual applications, AssetMetrix Asset Inventory Service, the Winternals IT Admin Pak for desktop repair and Desktop Standard's GPO Vault for providing change management to Group Policy.

The pack is like a tour of Microsoft's recent acquisition spree. Microsoft announced plans to purchase AssetMetrix on April 26, Softricity on May 26, Winternals on July 18 and Desktop Standard on Oct. 2.

Here's the official Microsoft take on the partner opportunity in the pack: "The optimization pack extends the value of the Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise benefits within Software Assurance. It can help you increase your licensing services revenue from existing deployment practices by delivering a strong customer value proposition."

The Microsoft Partner Program site has more detail on how to sell the package, along with a customer-ready presentation, a customer-ready FAQ and customer-ready data sheets on each technology component. You can view the page here (MSPP registration required).

I've been a fan of Softricity technology for a long time. I'm glad to see Microsoft thinking creatively about ways to spread this technology, along with the worthy technology from Winternals, Desktop Standard and Asset Metrix, far and wide.

Posted by Scott Bekker on October 23, 2006


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