Now that the Public Sector Year End is over, local authorities are under even more pressure to ensure they are making savings. Many authorities are selling buildings, looking to cut contracts and sadly even looking at redundancies. One thing that is not always immediately apparent is that a reseller such as ourselves can help councils save money in many different ways. As a leading, long-established specialist within the Local Government arena, Phoenix has all the tools to help authorities drive down their costs.

As Microsoft's leading Software Asset Management partner in the UK, Phoenix has worked with authorities to ensure they are making the best use of their software assets and only purchasing the software licences they need. Moving on to areas such as Virtualisation - Phoenix is working with a variety of authorities on virtual desktop infractructure (VDI) solutions projects which will provide a solid return on investment, and the list goes on.  Whether it's Power Management to save on electricity bills, or discussions around moving to cloud computing, Phoenix is ideally positioned to assist. As we move into Summer, why not invite us in to talk to you about how we can potentially save you money?

Contact your Phoenix Account Manager on 0845 265 1265 or email info@phoenixs.co.uk

Thursday 26 April - Manchester / Thursday 24 May - London

Phoenix Software, in partnership with License Dashboard, would like to invite you to a half-day seminar looking at Software Asset Management (SAM) in the real world.

Click here for a full agenda and to book your place

Alternatively, contact Joanne Halley on 0845 265 1232 or email: Joanne-halley@phoenixs.co.uk

Did you know you could be eligible for a free of charge Software Asset Management Service from Phoenix Software?

If you have a current Microsoft volume licensing agreement, you could choose from any one of the following offerings:

• Baseline - this will provide you with your current Microsoft licence position
• Assessment - a review of your current Software Asset Management processes with recommendations of how these can be improved
• Deployment Planning - we can install a Microsoft discovery tool such as SCCM or MAP Toolkit as a proof of concept

Top four reasons to take us up on this offer:

• SQL 2012 is due for release soon and customers with active Software Assurance will be eligible for the new version. Licence grants to the new version, however, will be based on what you currently own and use - so it is important you know your current SQL estate! A Baseline will give you this information
• Microsoft is aligning all pricing with the Euro on 1 July 2012 which could mean a price increase* of as much 30% (excluding Academic customers). By understanding your current licence position, you can help to prevent this impacting your business by purchasing any required licences prior to the price change. A Baseline will give you this information
• We can install SCCM 2012 as a proof of concept, as part of a Deployment Planning service
• You can take out an agreement purely for SQL (SA) that will bring your old versions up to date and keep you current for the term of the agreement

ACT NOW - This limited time offer is only available on a first-come-first-served basis until 30 June 2012.

Talk to your Phoenix Account Manager today and arrange a no-obligation consultation with one of our highly-experienced Licensing Advisors. Together we can review your individual requirements in complete confidence, helping you to get the service you need.

t: 0845 265 1265       e: info@phoenixs.co.uk         w: www.phoenixs.co.uk

*Microsoft pricing increase does not apply to academic customers

As a leading reseller with a proven track record of supplying to Local Government Authorities for over twenty years, it is no surprise that Phoenix has been working extensively with its client base during these uncertain times.

Over recent months Phoenix has met with many of its clients offering procurement reviews, software asset management services and looking at new technologies that may be of relevance. What is interesting is that the IT press is currently littered with articles where resellers have saved clients money on existing contracts - however our recent meetings have not necessary reflected this at all.

What we have found is that our established clients have been making these saving year on year. Phoenix has been their reseller of choice, they have worked with us to negotiate pricing with vendors on their behalf, they have often utilised our software asset management services and they have continually worked with us around their projects. For these clients, much as they cannot report back any huge savings to their IT budget today, they can show and have peace of mind that the relationship that they have with us has provided them with the best value that they are striving for.

If you would like to arrange a meeting to hear more on how Phoenix could work with your Authority please call 0845 265 1265 and ask to be put through to the Local Government Team.

When they place their Microsoft compliance order with Phoenix Software (valued at £11,000*)

As Microsoft's number one Public Sector Large Account Reseller, Phoenix has a team of licensing specialists with indepth knowledge of all the licensing agreements available to the NHS. They are on-hand to help you take control of your software.

WHY PHOENIX?
NHS trusts/FTs, PCTs, SHAs, Arm's Length Bodies and Hospices throughout the UK look to us for help and support - and being a Government Procurement Service (formerly Buying Solutions) approved supplier, you are assured of best value at all times.

In addition to offering you the best price** - 10% discount off Microsoft Select Band D pricing from now until 30 March 2012 - we also want to ensure you maximise your software investment. To achieve this we are offering NHS organisations the following:

• License Manager 5*** - the leading software asset management tool, where we will load-up your Microsoft Effective Licence Position (ELP).
  Register now for one of our free seminars and see for yourself how License Manager 5 makes it easier than ever, both to get your software working harder for you and to avoid the risks associated with it
• Licence Procurement Review - with one of our experienced licensing specialists, at a time to suit you
• Professional Services Days - with our experienced security consultants, at highly-discounted rates

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Phoenix Software encourages you to ask us for a software quotation on your Microsoft licence requirement before you place an order anywhere else - we'll prove we can offer you the best discount and best value with the addition of License Manager 5.

You have until 30 March 2012 to take advantage of Microsoft's special offer - so don't delay, talk to Phoenix today.

0845 265 1265 / nhs@phoenixs.co.uk / www.phoenixs.co.uk/ms-nhs

*Typically valued at £11,000 for a 10,000 seat Public Sector organisation
**Finance is available from Phoenix at competitive rates. Please enquire for full details
***Free one-year subscription

Phoenix Software has successfully achieved Gold Competencies for Volume Licensing and Software Asset Management in the Microsoft Partner Network.  In fact, we are one of only five Microsoft partners in the UK to have attained the SAM Competency thus far.

To earn a Microsoft Gold Competency, organisations must complete a rigorous set of tests to prove their level of expertise, have the right number of Microsoft Certified Professionals, submit customer references and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction by participating in an annual survey.

Sam Mudd, Director of Phoenix Software, said: "This certification showcases our expertise in the fields of Volume Licensing and Software Asset Management.  It assures our customers of the highest levels of knowledge and customer service - something they have rightly come to expect of Phoenix." 

Jon Roskill, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corporation, concluded: "The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to empower solution providers to succeed in today's business environment. By achieving the prestigious Gold competency, participating companies are provided with a rich set of benefits, including increased customer visibility through branding and accessibility, training and support."

The Microsoft Gold Competency signifies to the market that a company has demonstrated the highest level of skill and achievement within a given technology specialisation. All 28 Microsoft competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner's specific technology capabilities, helping customers find solution providers quickly and easily. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the industry. 

The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to equip organisations that deliver products and services based on the Microsoft platform with the training, resources and support needed to provide customers with a superior experience and outcomes.

SAM Portal is the first comprehensive end-to-end solution for managing software assets. Powered by the world-leading software licence management system, Licence Dashboard™, this easy-to-use interface enables organisations to take full control of the Software Asset Management (SAM) lifecycle.

With software taking up an ever-increasing share of an organisation's IT budget, it has become even more important to manage, control and protect your software assets. Having greater control of the software lifecycle process and understanding your licence position can definitely help your organisation avoid unnecessary expenditure and illegal exposure.

With its built-in workflow and easy to use Web-enabled interface, organisations can quickly implement an effective Software Asset Management programme without having to re-engineer existing systems or business processes.

For further details visit http://www.phoenixs.co.uk/software-products-and-services/sam-portal.aspx

The recent changes to the NHS software licensing agreements with Microsoft left the Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust responsible for ensuring their Microsoft software was correctly licensed. Recognising the legal responsibility of ensuring software licensing compliance, (along with the commercial implications of non-compliance), The Trust recruited Phoenix Software (Microsoft's longest-established Gold Partner and Software Asset Management Partner) to assist in reviewing its software licensing agreements, evaluating its procurement techniques and implementing an on-going Software Asset Management (SAM) strategy. After the successful implementation of a Proof of Concept Workshop the Trust decided to utilise Licence Dashboard.

Licence Dashboard Enterprise Edition fulfilled The Trust’s requirements enabling them to effectively and automatically control the entire lifecycle of their software assets from purchase, to upgrade and beyond.

Read the full case study and see just how many ways the Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust have benefitted from implementing Licence Dashboard:

http://www.phoenixs.co.uk/case-studies/Leeds-Partnerships-NHS-Foundation-Trust.aspx

http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-GB/applications/Licence-Dashboard-4294983390

Neil Frodsham, Sales Manager for Licence Dashboard and Software Asset Management (SAM) specialist, will be presenting at the Intellect Innovation Den held at the Intellect Conference Suite, 10-12 Russell Square, WC1B 5EE on Friday 26 November.

The theme of the event is “Sweating the Assets” - with budgets right across the public sector under the microscope, it’s become increasingly important to do more with less.  ‘Sweating the assets’ may only be a short-term solution, but it is a useful first step to more efficient service utilisation and broader business transformation over the long term. 

At this den, Neil will offer his innovative propositions for how effective software licence management could help the public sector make considerable financial savings. Neil will discuss the challenges, areas of risk, benefits and financial savings that simple processes and good use of the right tools can bring – tools like the Licence Dashboard™ which simplifies licence ownership and procurement, as well as data cleansing the output of most audit tools.

Intellect is the leading trade association which serves to represent its members in the UK technology industry by using their expertise and knowledge to provide the highest quality of service and intelligence.

For more information on Licence Dashboard, the leading software licence management tool, please go to www.licencedashboard.co.uk

Phoenix Software have lots of exciting news to impart over the coming months.  Our most recent event schedule includes software asset management advice to NHS organisations, Microsoft’s Online Services and VMware’s desktop virtualisation technology.

A little later in the year we will have more detailed information about the FAST Annual Conference in Surrey (November) where delegates will be actively looking to improve and enhance SAM and Governance policies in IT, and the IT in Housing Event in London (23-24 November) offering delegates and visitors an excellent one-stop opportunity to explore the latest innovations, products and services from 80 leading ICT suppliers to the housing sector.

Software Asset Management for NHS Organisations
With the recent end to the NHS Connecting for Health's (CfH) software licensing agreement with Microsoft, we expect software licences owned by Connecting for Health to be transferred to individual NHS organisations by 30 September 2010 or soon after.

As a result of this, all Trusts/FTs, PCTs, SHAs, Arms Length Bodies, Hospices etc will be solely responsible for all aspects of funding, purchasing and managing Microsoft licences. This means that it will then be up to each individual NHS organisation to be correctly licensed for Microsoft software.
Phoenix Software are holding events in York and London designed to give you a clear strategy for dealing with the management of your software assets. By attending you will learn how licence optimisation could potentially save your organisation money. Plus, you will be entitled to a free copy of Licence Dashboard™ - a software licence management tool fully approved by Microsoft.

Event dates: Friday 10th September, 2010 – York and Friday 15th October – London

For further information on either of these event dates, or the Webinar dates throughout August and September, email seminars@phoenixs.co.uk or contact Joanne Halley on 0845 265 1232.

Microsoft Online Services
Phoenix Software and Core Technology are delighted to offer you the opportunity to learn more about the new Microsoft Online Services
Designed to meet the unique needs of your organisation, Microsoft's software-plus-services vision brings together the best of rich on-premise applications and flexible online services to give you ready access to the latest messaging and collaboration tools - without costly deployment and time-consuming maintenance.

Microsoft Online Services gives your organisation the powerful productivity capabilities of Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Live Meeting - all hosted online and all up and running quickly and easily without the upfront costs of an on-premise deployment. Microsoft Online Services reliably deliver 99.9% scheduled uptime and carries a financially-backed service level agreement.

During the course of our Breakfast Briefing you will learn about the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), including a demo of the system and details of the funding available for a limited number of pilots for those who attend this event.

Event date: Friday 8th October, 2010 – London

For further information on this event, email seminars@phoenixs.co.uk or contact Joanne Halley on 0845 265 1232.

VMware your World: Servers, Desktops & the Cloud
In partnership, Phoenix and VMware are pleased to invite you to an event showcasing the latest versions of VMware server and desktop virtualisation technology - vSphere 4 and View 4.5.

BEGIN THE JOURNEY TO A PRIVATE CLOUD
Get the highest levels of availability and responsiveness for all applications and services with VMware vSphere - the most complete and robust platform for virtualisation in the world.

Increase IT control through service level automation, dramatically reducing capital and operating costs and maximising IT efficiency. Virtualise your business-critical applications for unprecedented flexibility and reliability with the lowest total cost per application workload.

VIRTUALISE, SIMPLIFY & CONTROL YOUR DESKTOPS
Increase efficiency, reliability and availability by delivering desktops from the data centre as a managed service. Create a more flexible business infrastructure so you can quickly respond to changing end user needs. Deploy applications and desktops faster and with fewer help desk calls for improved business continuity.

Event dates: Thursday 16th September – Leeds, Wednesday 29th October – Frimley

For further information on this event, email seminars@phoenixs.co.uk or contact Joanne Halley on 0845 265 1232.