More ways to get Microsoft products discounted

By Scott Dunn Our May 10 and May 24 newsletters discussed the Microsoft Partner Program as it relates to system builders using less-expensive, OEM versions of Microsoft software. But the free service has more tangible benefits, including subscription programs for multiple copies of Microsoft software at a low price.

Tips on getting discount software subscriptions

My Apr. 24 article on the Microsoft Partner Program, as described in a company .doc file, brought this news from reader Ken Goldstein:

• "The Microsoft Partner Program has an additional benefit that can help system builders a lot more. It’s called the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription, and it’s worth its weight in gold!"

  "A page in the Partner Program site lists everything in the pack, but a short list includes 10 licenses each of Vista Business (upgrade), Office Enterprise 2007, Outlook 2007, Project Professional 2007, Accounting Professional 2007, and Visio Professional 2007. Also included are single licenses with 10 CALs [client access licenses] for Exchange Server 2007, ISA Server 2006, Live Communications Server 2005, Office SharePoint Server Enterprise 2007, SQL Server 2005, Windows Server 2003 R2, Small Business Server 2003 Premium R2, and Terminal Server.

  "I’ve left out a lot of details, but no one will be disappointed. The price for this Action Pack is only $299.00 per year, plus minimal shipping cost. There is no requirement to renew if you choose not to."
  

The Action Pack Subscription may indeed be a good deal for some small businesses, but it’s important to be aware of the limitations and "gotchas" of this program. For example, although many of the products come in all languages, a few, like Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2007, is only available in the United States. In addition, these products are licensed only for business purposes and software testing, not for home use.

Last but not least, remember that the $299 fee is required each year. If you choose to cancel your subscription, you’re required to stop using the software and all materials acquired under the program. The Terms and Conditions go so far as to state that if you don’t renew, "you must also destroy all Microsoft materials" or return them to Microsoft, at its sole discretion. The company says it can also require a "certificate of destruction signed by an officer of your company."

Problems with McAfee auto-renew cancellation

Carl Robinson writes in about the advice in my May 17 story on security products that automatically charge your credit card to renew your subscription:

• "I tried your method to cancel McAfee’s auto-renewal via us.mcafee.com. I could see that auto-renewal was enabled, but it couldn’t be changed. I had to call customer service as if I was an ‘outside the U.S. customer,’ which I’m not."
  

A number of readers have had problems canceling auto-renewal of McAfee products online. Fortunately, as Carl discovered, the instructions in my article that guide those outside the U.S. to contact a customer support number work for pretty much any customer.

More tips on virtual credit-card numbers

A number of readers wrote in to recommend or ask about the virtual credit-card numbers discussed in the May 24 issue. For those using Citibank, a reader named Nick gave us some detailed information about using virtual account numbers. He told us there are three options:

• “Option 1. Generate a one-time virtual number. This is good for about 30 days after creation, and can be used only by the first merchant who receives it. The dollar amount is unlimited, but after the initial charge, no further use is allowed.
  
  

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