Twice a year Microsoft (through a third-party) conducts a survey to gauge how satisfied IT Pros are with Microsoft. The survey is called “The Global Relationship Study”. The email is sent by “Microsoft Feedback” with the subject line: “Help Microsoft Focus on Customers and Partners”.
The results from the survey enable Microsoft to focus on the content they deliver and the way it is delivered. It’s critically important to have people to fill out the survey and even more important to land a message of satisfaction. The key drivers and messaging associated with them are as follows:
1) Help and Support from Microsoft
Have you ever wondered where to go to get help with your common, everyday IT challenges?
Based on feedback and constructive criticism, Microsoft Canada has identified key areas where they can improve and help you by providing better resources to answer your questions, solve your real world problems and help you achieve your business goals. Maybe it’s just ensuring you know you have a voice – or just making your life a little easier at the end of the day – whatever it takes, Microsoft is listening.
What if I told you there were some great Microsoft Resources available for support that you could use?
Help and Resources
This is by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a great start when you need to tackle your next IT challenge.
- Microsoft Product Solution Center – Get product support information for the majority of Microsoft products.
- Microsoft Answers– Ask questions and get answers from real people, or search for answers others have received.
- Microsoft Fix it Solution Center– Find automated solutions for your issues.
- @MicrosoftHelps– Follow Microsoft Customer Service and Support on Twitter. Experienced customer service agents respond to your questions in real-time tweets.
- Enterprise Business Center – Access resources for enterprise customers.
- Microsoft Small Business Center – Find resources for small and medium-sized businesses
Other Resources You May Find Useful
- Microsoft Virtual Academy – For Free Training To Help Improve Your IT Skill Set.
- TechNet Evaluation Center – Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.
- TechNet Newsletter – Sign Up To Receive The Latest IT News and Developments, Product Releases, Expert Insights and Support Services with Microsoft’s complimentary biweekly newsletter for industry professionals.
2) Security – How to Help Keep Your PC Protected
Have you ever wondered how you can help keep your PC protected?
Whether it’s at work or at home, I’ve been told that it can be hard to make sense of what’s important, which updates should be installed and how best to protect your PC. Microsoft has a resource center for their Monthly updates listed below – it’s something you should check out every second Tuesday of the month. If you prefer to listen to a podcast – they’ve created one that’s easy to listen to and not too technical called Security Bulletins for the Regular IT Guy.
Security Resources
- Microsoft Security Essentials – Free Anti-Malware software from Microsoft, great for Small Businesses and Home PCs alike.
- Security Bulletins by the Regular IT Guy – A monthly podcast to help simplify details about the monthly Security patch releases.
- Security TechCenter – Find top tasks, get the latest news, find a wiki article or download a featured tool.
- Windows Update Services – Businesses of all sizes can help manage and control the rollout of updates in their organizations.
Other Resources You May Find Useful
- Springboard Series – Your destination for technical resources, free tools and expert guidance to ease the deployment and management of your Windows-based client infrastructure.
- AlignIT Manager Tech Talk Series – A monthly streamed video series with a range of topics for both infrastructure and development managers. Ask questions and participate real-time or watch the on-demand recording.
- Microsoft Virtual Academy – For Free Training To Help Improve Your IT Skill Set.
- TechNet Evaluation Center – Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.
3) Licensing Simplified – at Home and at Work
Have you ever wondered if there’s an easier way to understand licensing, for both home and business use?
Whether you need to buy one license from a traditional retail store or explore options for a more flexible volume licensing program, it can be confusing and sometimes downright intimidating to figure out what you need. After doing a little digging – I’ve highlighted some resources you can use to help figure out exactly what you need when you talk with your software reseller.
Licensing Resources
- Licensing FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Product Licensing
- The SMB How to Buy Portal: receive clear purchasing and licensing information that is easy to understand in order to help facilitate quick decision making.
- Microsoft License Advisor (MLA): Use MLA to research Microsoft Volume Licensing products, programs and pricing.
- Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) – Already have a volume License? Use the VLSC to get you easy access to all your licensing information in one location.
- Windows 7 Comparison: Compare versions of Windows and find out which one is right for you
- Office 2010 Comparison: Find out which Office suite is right for you.
Other Resources You May Find Useful
- TechNet Cloud Hub – Get the latest news and find great resources to help you jump into the Cloud.
- TechNet Evaluation Center – Try some of the latest Microsoft products like Office 365, Windows Intune or System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 for free, before you buy.
- Microsoft Virtual Academy – For free training to help improve your IT skill set.
4) Free Online Training and Resources from Microsoft
Have you ever wondered how you can help build your IT skill set?
Microsoft has a number of great resources to help you in areas of professional development and access to software. The Microsoft Virtual Academy contains some fantastic FREE online training on hot topics for IT Professionals. Once you’ve stopped by and tried out a course or two — head on over to the Microsoft Eval Center to download copies of their server products to try out in your lab environment. And while you’re at it, check out this free Microsoft Office 365 ebook by Katherine Murray, it shows you how you can use cloud computing to help get more done and help improve ease of collaboration.
What is refreshing about this past survey is that Microsoft Canada has actually taken our opinions into account. Providing the resources and support required for my business is key. Microsoft Canada, now adhering to my grips about support, now solidifies my partnership with them and allows my business to grow enabled through their services.
This by no means is a complete list and I do implore you to add to my list by entering further resources in the comment section below.
