Two firms provide comprehensive Microsoft licensing workshops--Pica Communications and Directions on Microsoft (DOM).
We're familiar with both: Principal analyst Paul DeGroot developed the workshop concept and the curriculum for DOM while he was Research VP for Channels and Licensing at DOM, and he helped lead the first half-dozen DOM Microsoft Licensing Boot Camps.
At Pica Communications, he has expanded the concept with an additional instructional day and many more sessions, notably several modules on Enterprise Agreement negotiations.
The following chart provides a comparison of the two programs. Note that Pica and DOM categorize course topics differently, so topics listed on this chart do not correspond exactly to individual workshop sessions.
= Included in a 2 day course |
Pica |
DOM |
Concepts and Resources |
||
Fundamentals/Concepts and CALs |
||
Software Assurance |
||
Understanding CALs |
||
Licensing Resources |
||
Desktop Licensing |
||
Windows |
||
Office |
||
Project |
||
Tablet and Mobile Licensing |
||
Virtualization |
||
Virtual Desktops |
||
Virtual Servers |
||
Server Licensing |
||
Windows Server |
||
Exchange Server |
||
SQL Server |
||
SharePoint Server |
||
Lync Server |
||
Volume Licensing |
||
Open License |
||
Select Plus |
||
Enterprise Agreements |
||
Negotiations |
||
Reseller role |
|
|
Software Asset Management |
||
Audit Preparation and Strategy |
|
|
Negotiation Strategies and Resources |
|
|
Enterprise Agreement Negotiations |
|
|
Hosting and Cloud Services |
||
Office 365 |
|
|
Hosting Services |
|
|
Developer and Management Tools |
||
MSDN and TechNet |
|
|
System Center |
|
Instructional Data |
Pica |
DOM |
|
Instructional days |
2-day course | 3-day course | 2-day course |
Instructional hours |
14 | 21 | 13 |
Price (before early bird and group discounts) |
$1,995 | $2,995 | $2,495 |
Certification available* |
Yes | No |
*The Practitioners Certificate in Microsoft Licensing Concepts is offered by the International Business Software Managers Association and is based on the Pica Communications Microsoft Licensing Workshop.