What did he say? Deciphering “Microsoft speak”
On Friday, there was an email thread going around amongst some Partners trying to decipher what an answer they had received from Microsoft really meant. Why? Because the people from Microsoft responding to the question fell into the trap of using “Microsoft speak” or “the excessive use of acronyms to see who can say the most with the fewest letters possible.” I’ve even heard rumors we have some teen cell phone texting champs on campus to help us get even more efficient and completely rule out the use of any full words… No, just kidding! :-)
Well, to try and help out, I thought I would take the acronyms included in that email, as well as several others, and post the REAL meanings up here so that they can hopefully help you in the future in the event one of us Microsoft folks start throwing out random multi-letter acronyms again in a conversation (and let me apologize in advance on behalf of all of them). Of course, you could just slap us and say, “ENGLISH PLEASE!” to snap us out of it. (Maybe you better skip the slapping part since I am not sure who from Microsoft you may be speaking to)
- PMC = Partner Membership Center - Manage your Microsoft Partner Program member profile, add Partner Points, and re-enroll in the Partner Program.
- RSC = Regional Service Center - Specializes in assisting you with your Partner Program Membership questions.
- MSPP = Microsoft Partner Program – Program designed for those advising, selling, supporting, training, or installing Microsoft technologies for clients to provide resources, information, and benefits
- SBSC = Small Business Specialist Community – Program for Microsoft Partners focused on marketing, selling, planning, and building solutions for small businesses
- OV (OLV) = Open Value (Open License Value) – License program designed for clients with 3 – 250 PCs providing value added benefits, such as Software Assurance and spread payments.
- OVS = Open Value Subscription – Subscription based license program designed for clients with 3 – 250 PCs providing value added benefits, such as Software Assurance, spread payments, up to 50% off for Up-to-date discounts, and more.
- SA = Software Assurance - Comprehensive maintenance offering that helps you get the most out of your software investment, like upgrade protection, home use rights, etc.
- MAPS = Microsoft Action Pack Subscription - Provides Registered Members of the Microsoft Partner Program internal-use, full-version software and sales resources to help you meet your sales goals, stay competitive, and grow your business
- CAL = Client Access License - A license granting access to certain Microsoft server software by a User or Device
- UTD = Up To Date Discount – A discount of up to 50% off the first year payment through Open Value Subscription for clients who own qualifying licenses
- OOF = Out Of Office or Out Of Facility – Not in the office
- Extreme OOF: Forget OOF. We’re talking WOOF!
Have any others you’ve seen, heard, or wondered what they are? Drop me a reply in the comments section below and I’ll see about getting you some translations on those as well.
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Eric Ligman
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
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