Softchoice Corporation -KCOE Microsoft RFP 061119 … · Microsoft Framework Agreements for various...

314 W Superior Street, Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60654

Dave Tomke Title: Territory Sales Director, US Public Sector Office: 312‐655‐9002 Mobile: (312) 655‐9162 Email: [email protected]

Request for Proposal – Response

Kings County Office of Education (COE)

PROJECT NO. 061119 ‐ MICROSOFT PRODUCTS – COE‐WIDE

June 28th, 2019

www.softchoice.com P a g e | 2

Softchoice Response to PROJECT NO. 061119 – MICROSOFT PRODUCTS – COE‐WIDE

Proprietary and confidential ‐ do not distribute.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 4

REQUIRED PROPOSAL FORMS ....................................................................................................................... 5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 5 CONFLICT OF INTEREST .............................................................................................................................................. 7 PIGGYBACK CLAUSE................................................................................................................................................... 8 NON‐COLLUSION DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................. 9 CERTIFICATION OF PRIMARY PARTICIPANT REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS ......... 10 DRUG‐FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION ..................................................................................................................... 11 W‐9 FORM ........................................................................................................................................................... 12

SOFTCHOICE & MICROSOFT ......................................................................................................................... 13

SCOPE OF WORK .......................................................................................................................................... 15

GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 40

EXPERIENCE ................................................................................................................................................. 42

SERVICE ....................................................................................................................................................... 46

SOFTCHOICE MICROSOFT VALUE PROPOSITION ........................................................................................... 48

SOFTCHOICE PRESENCE ................................................................................................................................ 49

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – NATIONAL AND LOCAL PRESENCE ....................................................................................... 49

MICROSOFT AGREEMENT EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................................... 51

MICROSOFT EES AGREEMENT RENEWAL PROCESS ........................................................................................................ 53 Quarterly Microsoft Account Management updates .................................................................................... 54

SOFTCHOICE APPROACH TO CLOUD AND EXPERIENCE .................................................................................. 57

SOFTCHOICE BY THE NUMBERS: ................................................................................................................................. 57 THE JOURNEY TO CLOUD .......................................................................................................................................... 58 STAGES OF ADOPTION (THE SOFTCHOICE METHODOLOGY) ............................................................................................. 58

Gap Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 59 Get Moving Stage .......................................................................................................................................... 61 Plan Stage ..................................................................................................................................................... 62

Workload Analyzer ..................................................................................................................................................... 62 Security Management Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 63 Risk Management ...................................................................................................................................................... 63

Migration Stage ............................................................................................................................................ 64 Migration Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................... 64 Cloud Migration Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 64

Optimize Stage .............................................................................................................................................. 65 Sample High‐level Timeline Structure............................................................................................................ 66 Usage and Adoption (U&A) ........................................................................................................................... 67

Usage and Adoption Framework ............................................................................................................................... 67

THE MICROSOFT CLOUD JOURNEY ............................................................................................................... 68

INDICATE REPORTING CAPABILITIES, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE FOR SERVICE, FREQUENCY OF REPORTS, AND ALERTS OR NOTIFICATIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. ......................................................................................................................... 76

My Dashboard: .............................................................................................................................................. 83 Custom Reporting Tool: ................................................................................................................................. 83 Cloud Portal ................................................................................................................................................... 84




MICROSOFT AZURE & O365 PRODUCT ROADMAP, END‐TO‐END STRATEGY, AND PROPOSED PLATFORM FUTURE PROOFING. ....... 85

SOFTCHOICE & ENABLING END USERS (O365) ............................................................................................... 87

SOFTCHOICE OFFICE 365 ADOPTION PLANNING SERVICES .............................................................................................. 88

MICROSOFT PROCUREMENT ........................................................................................................................ 91

MICROSOFT PROCUREMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 91 DISTRIBUTION PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................... 92

Renewals Calendar ........................................................................................................................................ 93

APPENDIX 1: PRICING .................................................................................................................................. 94

APPENDIX 2: REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 95

APPENDIX 3: MICROSOFT‐FOCUSED RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 97

APPENDIX 4: SOFTCHOICE ASCEND .............................................................................................................. 97

APPENDIX 5: SOFTCHOICE TECHCHECK ......................................................................................................... 98

SAMPLE DELIVERABLE .............................................................................................................................................. 99

APPENDIX 6: MICROSOFT CLOUD SECURITY ............................................................................................... 100

APPENDIX 7: MICROSOFT SLA INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 100




Executive Summary

June 28, 2019

Edward Bonham

Chief Technology Officer

1144 W. Lacey Blvd

Hanford, CA 93230

Dear Mr. Bonham,

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Request for Proposal on Project No. 061119 for the MICROSOFT PRODUCTS – COE‐WIDE. We understand that this contract and its administration is of critical importance to the Kings County Office of Education (“COE”) and most importantly, its member schools, and so we appreciate your consideration of Softchoice’s proposal.

Softchoice is trusted with managing more than 6,000 Microsoft agreements spanning both the public and private sectors of the United States and Canada, which is more than any other License Solution Provider in North America. In addition, Softchoice successfully manages large Microsoft Framework Agreements for various organizations upward of 30,000 people throughout the US and Canada, which are some of the most advanced and complex Microsoft agreements in the world, and that experience is crucial when managing an agreement with this size and scope. Softchoice has won numerous Microsoft awards throughout the years, including relevant awards such as the Microsoft West Region Partner of the Year in 2016 and the Operational Excellence Award in 2017.

Additionally, for the last three years, Softchoice has been managing an agreement for the State of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. We have a team that specifically focuses on the public sector within the United States, and within that, we’ve dedicated resources to that contract to ensure that it is managed in a way that both supports its existing enrollments and markets to the other eligible schools. We’ve also been privileged to work with numerous schools to manage their EES agreements over the years, including the ones listed in our reference section.

Again, we truly appreciate the consideration and the opportunity to participate in this request. If there is anything further that you need, or if there are any questions that I can answer, please feel free to contact me directly at (989) 450‐6928 or via email at [email protected]. Thank you again for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Dave Tomke

Territory Sales Director, US Public Sector




Required Proposal Forms

Acknowledgement of Amendments




Conflict of Interest




Piggyback Clause




Non‐Collusion Declaration




Certification of Primary Participant Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters




Drug‐free Workplace Certification




W‐9 Form




Softchoice & Microsoft

Softchoice welcomes this opportunity to respond to COE for MICROSOFT PRODUCTS – COE‐WIDE

Softchoice is proud to be recognized as the #1 Microsoft Licensing Solutions Provider (LSP/Reseller) in Canada based on level of certification, market share, and client satisfaction. As a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner, Softchoice is the largest LSP in Canada, in addition to being ranked among the top 5 LSPs in North America and #8 in the world.

Our team of Microsoft experts utilize deep knowledge and a broad base of expertise to deliver an optimized solution to our customers that both meets their needs and exceeds expectations. We offer high touch services including roadmap consulting, deployment support, licensing advisory, implementation services, cloud and technology viability assessments.

As thirteen‐time recipient of the Microsoft’s Operational Excellence Award, COE will recognize the accuracy and efficiency of our licensing agreement processing and management capabilities. We follow a unique Microsoft Agreement management methodology that is comprised of multiple tools, resources, and processes designed to help COE identify the most cost‐effective licensing models to best support and help in building your business. The tools and assessments we have designed to help COE include, but are not limited to:

Expert Agreement Management, Price Analysis, and Negotiation Strategy upon Renewal

Software asset management (SAM) consulting assessments

Customized Microsoft roadmap sessions

Software Assurance benefits planning

Licensing & Deployment Assessments and Services

Scheduled Account Reviews / Product Updates

Online Services Portal Administration, Onboarding, and Support

Strategic Fulfillment

Project Management

The only true way to achieve ongoing cost savings and efficiencies within your technology portfolio is by having a partner that knows your organization: the people, the processes, the agreements, the upcoming projects and overall objectives. Softchoice has a proven formula for successfully achieving these overall objectives through Account Management, Asset Management, Maintenance Management, Six Sigma Oversight, Knowledge of Microsoft Licensing Programs, Microsoft Professional Services, and Partnerships. Softchoice is both an authorized Microsoft LSP (Licensing Solutions Provider) and a National SI.

As a trusted Microsoft partner for over 20 years, Softchoice is committed to maintaining the highest status and relationship with Microsoft. Softchoice has maintained accreditation for 20 years and is continually represented at the Microsoft Operational Excellence Awards (13‐time winner). As a valued partner of Microsoft, Softchoice works closely with Microsoft to




ensure that we have all the requirements to continue and excel as a Gold Partner. Some of Softchoice’s credentials include:

Softchoice is trusted with managing over 2,700 Microsoft Agreements over a total 6000 Microsoft Agreements, spanning across both the Public and Private sectors of Canada and the United States – this is more than any other LSP in North America. In addition, Softchoice successfully manages large Microsoft Framework Agreements for various organizations upwards of 30,000+ people throughout Canada & the United States which include some of the most advanced and complex Microsoft agreements in the world.

Softchoice has moved more customers to O365 than any other organization across Canada. Softchoice as an organization has structured processes and methodologies to explore where transformation to Cloud technologies would make sense to our clients, and the expertise to build a structure roadmap and progressively migrate and manage as appropriate.




Scope of Work

A) Only proposals from Microsoft Authorized Licensing Solution Provider Resellers (Reseller)

will be considered. The Reseller must have a very good relationship with Microsoft.

Softchoice Response:

Softchoice is a Microsoft Authorized Licensing Solutions Provider ( Reseller ) and has been for 20+ years. Please see attached letter from Microsoft.




A) The Reseller will provide Microsoft software products and related Reseller services for

the Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing program to the COE and Authorized Users.


Softchoice agrees and will comply. Please see Appendix for pricing model.

B) The Reseller will be required to work closely with the COE and ensure the required

documentation is in place as needed. Participants will subscribe to a product baseline with the option to a variety of other products.


Richard Nice will be your dedicated resource along with the dedicated account team for COE and will work with each participating member to make sure all agreements are placed timely and accurately. Richard will be the dedicated resource to support this contract and will be available 7am PST to 7pm PST for any questions or concerns.




C) The Reseller will be required to execute the numerous enrollment options available from Microsoft. The Reseller is required to thoroughly review the provisions of the Microsoft Agreement, submit an executed Enrollment Agreement and obtain an Enrollment Number, prior to placing orders under this contract.

Softchoice Response: Softchoice has vast experience and a long history of successfully executing all the various enrolment options offered by Microsoft. Whether they are under the Campus and School agreement umbrella, Enterprise Agreements, Select/Select+, MPSA, SCE, Open Value, Open Value Subscription, SPLA etc. As described above, whether the customer partner is Academic, State/Local Government or Corporate, Softchoice is fully experienced in executing all contract types.

E) The Reseller will provide all sales, support, management and reporting services

required to process and account for Authorized Users’ requests for Microsoft software products and Reseller services under the applicable Microsoft Software License Agreement


Softchoice is recognized as an effective license provider throughout North America and has a large dedicated team of professionals to support all our customer partner requirements including Microsoft Sales Specialists, Operations, Contracts, Software Assurance Benefit advisors are just a few examples.

Softchoice implements a customized annual process that delivers information both specific to the client and general to Microsoft. For example, the client specific information includes the existing license structure, the products and benefits included in that structure, and general information on how to implement those Microsoft technologies. This process is broken into regularly scheduled meetings minimally on a semi‐annual basis with the ability to deliver quarterly reviews. Softchoice allows our clients to choose their own cadence that is most effective. Examples of the Microsoft information include, but are not limited to, product use rights changes, end of support notifications, new product releases, and product promotions.

The Softchoice Microsoft Team is available to assist our customers with any questions they may have regarding Microsoft Agreements, product use rights, vouchers, work at home, options for students, and much more. The Softchoice Microsoft Order Management Team is responsible for the accurate reporting of our customers’ purchases to Microsoft. Microsoft has recognized our Microsoft Licensing Operations Team numerous times over the years for excellence in managing our customers’ agreements and license purchases.




Additionally, Softchoice has a dedicated post‐sales support team that the Softchoice Account Executive can engage to aid in any additional support concerns with the Microsoft licensing and administration tools.

F) The Reseller will act as the primary liaison for the COE and therefore will assign a

dedicated sales team specific to the COE, including representatives residing in California, tele‐presence team members available within California business hours, and Microsoft Licensing and Technical specialists.




G) The Reseller will be responsible for servicing and administering each enrollment

underneath the agreement, ensuring prompt processing of all enrollment forms, and ensuring each enrollment is properly placed pursuant to the Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing program.


The Softchoice Licensing Operations contracts team has the depth of expertise required to administer and process all enrollments. Any enrollment submitted for processing is subject to a pre‐check for accuracy and completion prior to submission to Microsoft. In the event there is an issue preventing the activation of an enrollment, the same team will triage the issue to a successful conclusion.




H) The Reseller will provide requested written and/or oral contract quotations to Authorized Users which is to include at a minimum:

a. Microsoft Product Number b. Microsoft Product Name c. Quantity d. Price

Softchoice Response: Softchoice agrees and will be able to provide the requested quotations with the required criteria listed above.

I) The Reseller will promptly report all orders to Microsoft in accordance with the provisions in the applicable agreement.

Softchoice Response: Once the customer has submitted an order into Softchoice, your Account Manager will review the purchase order to ensure that it is complete and meets any previously stated requirements. Once your Account Manager has completed the pre‐check and the order is clear of errors or omissions, they will then enter a sales order into Softchoice’s system for processing over to Microsoft by the Microsoft Order Management team. If for any reason Softchoice is unable to fulfill the order because of missing or incorrect information, or any other reason, your Account Manager will contact the original submitter of the PO within 4 business hours.

J) The Reseller will generate and issue electronic and/or paper copy “Order Confirmation Reports” for each software product (i.e. license and/or maintenance) ordered the COE and Authorized Users. This report will be issued for purchases, including those orders that may be aggregated on a single purchase order document, and provided to authorized users within 15 days after request and should include, at a minimum:

a. The name of Authorized User (ordering entity) b. Authorized User’s purchase order number to Reseller c. Microsoft Master Agreement Number d. Microsoft Enrollment Number e. Microsoft product number and quantity ordered f. Microsoft product description (Software language and/or version number)




Softchoice Response: Softchoice is easily able to provide the reporting requested within the specified timeline and containing all the elements above. We are able to customize the reporting between the master agreement and the individual enrollments, at any level within the agreement hierarchy. Softchoice also offer its own internal Proof of Purchase (POP) that is generated with any indirect Agreement purchase. This contains the information called out above and can also be generated on demand as required by the customer.




K) The Reseller must provide and support to an electronic software distribution

program for students, faculty, and staff in support of Student Option, and Home Use Program.

Softchoice Response: The Softchoice Post‐Sales Administration Team is available 9AM‐8:00PM EST to offer support for the electronic software distribution program

Details on the specifics: **Softchoice is not providing the access ourselves, it comes as part of the contract the customer signs




L) This RFP contemplates a "piggyback" contract, whereby other public agencies may make orders based on this contract. The selected Reseller will assist in providing information about the Microsoft products, and assist interested purchasers in the acquisition and administration of the Microsoft products. It is required that members of this team be thoroughly trained and experienced in the requirements and processes related to Microsoft academic licensing programs, related software assurance benefits, and Microsoft products and solutions.

Softchoice Response: Softchoice agrees and complies. 1.4 Period of Performance: The COE is seeking proposals that are based upon a three (3) year contract term, with the option to extend for two additional one (1) year terms. The initial contract term shall start on or about August 1, 2019. An extension option must be mutually acceptable to both parties. Any request for and acceptance of an extension shall be in written form and shall include any requests and justifications for adjustment in compensation. If Contractors can provide “better” rates by extending the length of the contract, please provide this option as part of your RFP response.





Softchoice agrees and complies with period of performance listed.

Piggybacking:

The COE intends to make this contract available to members of the California education community pursuant to Public Contract Code sections 20118 and 20652. By responding to this RFP, Contractor agrees to allow the COE and other public agencies in the State of California to purchase items found in the Microsoft catalog, including products that are not explicitly stated in the pricing matrix found in the Request for Proposal on the same terms and conditions during the term of the contract, and any extension thereof. Public agencies may order additional items in quantities of one or more. Any liability created by Purchase Orders issued against this agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the agency placing the order.

Softchoice Response: Softchoice agrees and complies.

General

a) State whether you are Microsoft‐authorized Licensing Solutions Provider (Reseller).


Please refer to page 15 Section A for additional detail.

b) Number of years as a Microsoft‐authorized Licensing Solutions Provider (Reseller).


Softchoice has been a reseller of Microsoft for 20+ years.




c) Describe your relationship with Microsoft.


Please refer to page 13‐14 for additional detail.

d) Describe your familiarity and experience executing numerous enrollment options available from Microsoft.


Softchoice is trusted with managing over 2,700+ Microsoft Agreements over a total 6000+ Microsoft Agreements, spanning across both the Public and Private sectors of Canada and the United States – this is more than any other LSP in North America.

e) Describe any experiences you have had with other companies as their reseller. You answer

should include the identification of the name of the company for which you served as the

reseller and your duration as a reseller.


Softchoice Corporation has been a Microsoft LAR/Reseller for 20+ years and has extensive experience when it comes to managing our customers Microsoft Licensing Agreements. Our experience ranges from small under 100 seat agreements all the way up to agency or statewide agreements. One of the larger customers Softchoice had supported was the US Department of Navy. Their agreement spanned over 100 enrollments, 400k+ seats and spanned multiple time zones to accommodate customers working overseas. The Navy also had very specific requirements that needed to be meet and maintained. Softchoice Corporation worked very closely with the head program office within Navy to ensure all the Navy’s many needs were being met on a consistent basis throughout the life of the agreement. At the time of the agreement the Navy was still utilizing physical media disks even though Microsoft was already in the process of moving all licensing to e‐download. This was an added challenge posed to Softchoice to not only ensure all end users had the required media disks to install but also to work closely with our distributors to secure large amounts of the very limited remaining supply of media disks. This was an example of an unforeseen challenge that arose during the management of this agreement. Through our long‐standing relationships with both Microsoft and our distributors Softchoice Corporation was able to implement a solution and ensure all of the Navy end users had the required physical media necessary. What began as just a software licensing agreement morphed into a physical delivery contract that required Softchoice to meet delivery deadlines and to secure the remaining limited stock of media. During Softchoice’s




tenure of managing the US Department of Navy’s Microsoft Agreement we received very positive feedback from the Program Office.

f) Describe your experience with public agency projects, including public school districts.


Softchoice Corporation has worked with many public agencies and public‐school districts. We currently manage a Mandatory Statewide Microsoft EES agreement within the State of North Carolina and had managed NC’s Statewide Adobe ETLA as well. The Adobe ETLA contract ended and was not rebid, as it was rolled into another pre‐existing state contract. During the life of the Adobe ETLA, Softchoice always maintained compliancy with all required contractual obligations. Softchoice still currently manages North Carolina’s EES agreement and the state just recently exercised their option to continue to utilize Softchoice Corporation as their Microsoft reseller.

Softchoice Corporation is also working very closely with Orange County School District in Florida to provide all the districts Cisco networking needs. The district had been planning a large project to update their networking infrastructure and were looking for a reliable partner who could provide both completive pricing on the hardware and had the certifications and required workforce to help them implement this network refresh. This refresh is still underway within the district and moving along smoothly. Another aspect of this refresh was the customer would be utilizing E‐rate funding since the products were networking equipment. Softchoice Corporation is an E‐rate provider and were able to provide E‐rate eligible products to this customer.

Experience

a) State the number of similar projects maintained by your firm in the past five (5) years.


Over the past five years, Softchoice has managed a large amount of Microsoft Agreements and currently manage over 150+ EES agreements.




b) Describe your familiarity and experience with comparable projects in the K‐12 customer

market.


As mentioned previously, Softchoice Corporation is very familiar with and has experience with comparable projects within the K‐12 market. Both the Statewide Microsoft EES agreement and Statewide Adobe ETLA agreements are perfect examples. Both contracts were mandatory Statewide for all educational institutions within North Carolina. Since Softchoice was the sole provider this meant high volume of inbound support related calls, quotes requests, order requests and general product questions that all needed timely and accurate responses. Because of our many years working with the public and K‐12 sector Softchoice was fully prepared to tackle these requests and were able to maintain a high level of support to the end users. As COE can see from our proposal, Softchoice has an intricate internal organizational structure that ensures all aspects of a required contract are covered. From our experience working with the public sector we are fully aware of the consequences to our customers if our support teams are not readily available or provide slow response times. Over the years we have refined our internal structure in that we have the support required and available to meet all our customers needs. If weaknesses within the support structure are identified, Softchoice will move additional resources to the team to ensure expectations are being met.

c) Describe your familiarity and experience with sales, support, management and reporting

services required to process and account for requests Microsoft software products and

Reseller services under a Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing program.


Please refer to page 19 (Section E) and page 69‐92 for additional detail.

d) Describe your familiarity and experience with providing and support the electronic software distribution program for students, faculty and staff in support of student option, work at home rights, and home use program.


Please refer to page 35 (Section J) for additional detail.




e) Describe the total number of like statewide or large programs (not using subcontractors) that match the scope of work specified for this project in the last three years.


Over the years Softchoice has and is participating in several Statewide or Large programs that are similar to the work specified within this project. Some of those contracts/programs are described below:

‐ North Carolina Statewide Adobe ETLA o High volume contract where Softchoice was the sole source for the State’s licensing

management. o Dedicated sales team and support structure was a requirement of the agreement o Contract also required monthly sales reporting to be provided back to the State to

ensure accurate purchase history o Contract also required the payment of an administration fee for all sales through

agreement ‐ North Carolina Statewide Microsoft EES Agreement

o High volume contract where Softchoice is the sole source for the State Licensing management.

o Dedicated sales team and support structure is a requirement of this agreement o Contract requires monthly sales reporting to be provided back to the State to ensure

accurate purchase history o Contract also required payment of an administration fee for all sales that go through

the agreement. ‐ Nebraska Education Services Unit Commercial Off the Shelf Contract (COTS)

o This contract was established with Softchoice Corporation to ensure public schools (ESU’s) within Nebraska were able to obtain common off the shelf software’s from a single provider at a predetermined pricing level.

o This contract requires monthly and quarterly sales reporting that needs to be provided back to the State to ensure accurate purchase history

o Contract also requires the payment of an administration fee for all sales that go through the agreement

‐ Ohio Department of Administration Services ‐Microsoft Agreements and Enrollments Contract

o High volume contract that covers Select Plus, Enterprise Agreements, Server and Cloud enrollments and Academic Agreements (EES) within the State of Ohio

o This contract requires monthly sales reporting to be provided back to the State to ensure accurate purchase history

o Contract also requires payment of an administration fee for all sales that go through the agreement.

o Dedicated sales team and support structure was a requirement of this agreement. ‐ Microsoft Master Campus Agreement University of Michigan

o High volume contract that covers the Universities Campus Agreement. o This contract requires a dedicated sales team and support structure o Contract requires monthly sales reporting to be provided back to the University to

ensure accurate purchase history




o Contract also requires payment of an administration fee for all sales that go through the agreement

f) Describe the experience and qualifications of your staff that shall be assigned to this project.


Please refer to page 20, Section F for an org chart and detailed team resumes that displays qualifications and experience.

g) Describe the training and experience of your sales team, including representatives residing in California, tele‐presence team members available during California business hours, and Microsoft licensing and technical specialists. Describe your sales team's experience Microsoft academic licensing programs, related software assurance benefits, and Microsoft products and solutions.


Please refer to page 20, Section F for sales team experience.

Softchoice Corporation prides itself on our Microsoft prowess. All new employee’s go through a series of training programs with most of them focusing on Microsoft licensing. New hires spend upwards of two weeks at our Headquarters learning from our own licensing specialists. Once new employees possess a strong base of Microsoft Licensing knowledge the learning and training does not end there. The nature of software licensing see’s enrollment programs constantly being updated, and changes implemented from Microsoft. Our sales teams continue to receive additional Microsoft training as changes occur. At least once a week sales teams meet with a different Microsoft resource to continue their ever‐evolving knowledge of Microsoft. This could range from new licensing types, to brand new features now being included within certain products. The idea is to ensure our sales teams are always up to speed on changes occurring within Microsoft and that our teams pass this knowledge on to our customers. Because of the complexity of Microsoft licensing, Softchoice also employees’ teams of licensing specialists that continuously maintain their licensing certifications. This ensures Softchoice is always providing our customers with the most up to date information and insights into the complexity of Microsoft licensing.

All the team members listed within page 20, Section F will be available during California business hours. All members listed will be tele‐presence except for Braeden Carr who resides within California. Additional team members can and will be assigned with the possibility of additional members being located within the State of California.




Richard Nice will be the dedicated Microsoft Solution Specialist assigned to COE should Softchoice be awarded. Richard has over 10 years of experience as a Microsoft Licensing Specialist and is well versed in the public sector space when it comes to Microsoft. Since Microsoft is Softchoice’s bread and butter, one of the commitments we make to our customers, is that we will do everything we can to ensure you are taking full advantage of all the benefits allotted to you through your Microsoft agreement. In our experience many customers are not being informed on how to take advantage of some of these benefits and end up letting them lapse without ever knowing they were even available. Through Richards extensive Microsoft experience, he and our sales teams will help to ensure COE is fully aware of all benefits available and will be updated on the agencies progress implementing those benefits during quarterly reviews.

Service

a) Describe your Help Desk operations, including hours of operation, expected response time, and staffing levels.


Worldwide accessible toll‐free number, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday‐Friday Pacific Time with a maximum 4‐hour response time, 1‐800‐268‐7638 An email, phone and web‐based solution for support of the contract will be available. Inquiries will be addressed within one business day of receipt. Email: [email protected] Phone: 1‐800‐268‐7638 There is a defined escalation path in support this contract that we would make available to every participating member:

1. Each enrollment will have an account manager that will be their first point of contact for any questions, requests, or updates. This representative, as well as the assigned Microsoft Licensing Specialist, should be able to resolve most issues.

2. Following that, there will be an email alias ([email protected]) provided to every member institution that will be monitored by all COE account representatives, as well as a Microsoft Licensing Specialist, and a manager. If the first point of contact is not able to assist, or is unable to be reached, the representatives on this alias will be made aware to step in an assist within the given SLAs.

3. Finally, Dave Tomke – Senior Manager for US Public Sector ‐ will be the escalation point for anything urgent past that point. He can be reached directly at [email protected] or at (312) 655‐9162.




b) Describe your Ordering Process.


Please refer to page 35 (Section I) and page 91‐93 for additional detail.

c) Describe the level of service and support available to COE and other public agencies participating in this contract.


Softchoice has a dedicated sale, order management, licensing and technical support teams to support COE and all other public agencies. Please refer to page 20, Section F for dedicated team.

d) Describe all other value added services to be provided to the COE and other public agencies that may choose to purchase off of this piggyback contract.


Please refer to pages 48 to 100 for a comprehensive and detailed list of value added services that are offered to COE.

e) Specify your warranty for the software. Note: Contractor must be able to warranty the equipment for a period of one year plus agree to extend any/all manufacturer warranties at no additional cost to the COE for a period of four (4).


Softchoice is not the manufacturer of the Products and the only warranties offered are those that may be offered by the applicable Vendor. Softchoice shall pass through to Customer any warranties provided to Softchoice by the applicable Vendor, provided that such transfer is permitted by such Vendor. In purchasing the Products, Customer is relying on the manufacturer's specifications only.




Softchoice Microsoft Value Proposition

Softchoice believes it’s really important we talk about the challenges our customers are experiencing. From our client’s perspective, there are four key issues ‐ at least in the world Softchoice lives in – they’re grappling with:

Number One: Enabling end users. It’s never been more challenging than now for IT departments to deliver what employees want. They demand flexibility, whether it’s the devices they’re bringing to work, or the locations they want to work from. And they want to collaborate or create content on their terms – and there are more collaboration options than ever before. A lot of IT leaders – and end users too ‐ feel there are too many options out there. So many that it paralyses them. This means at times the investments our customers have made just aren’t being leveraged.

The first way Softchoice helps customers is around enabling end users. In this area, more than any other, we need to understand how an end‐user is going to use the technology. It’s also really important to understand how that technology relates to other technology and business collaboration technologies in a customer’s environment so that it gets properly implemented, and integrated, in a meaningful way that will drive adoption.

Specifically, within our Microsoft practice. What we’ve noticed is an increase in end user devices. More and more, customers are moving to a bring‐your‐own‐device or choose‐your‐own‐device environment. With Office 365, we enable our customers to provide Microsoft applications across these multiple devices but also secure this environment through Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility and Security suite.

Number two: Increasing IT Agility. There’s no question that CIOs are being forced to embrace the cloud. And if they don’t, their competitors will. And even if their competitors don’t, a line of business in their own company will go out and buy the cloud apps or services they need ‐ which will render them irrelevant within their own organization.

Secondly, Hybrid is not just about picking a public cloud platform. It’s not about saying ‘I’m going to embrace Azure,’ or ‘I’m going to move a workload to AWS.’ It’s really about embracing a new architecture. It’s about getting your network modernized and ready for the cloud, it’s about making your datacenter compatible, and it’s also about embracing the public cloud, and doing it with a plan. Pulling all those things together is the only way you’ll achieve true agility.




Moving to a cloud solution takes more than just purchasing licenses. Softchoice first assesses your on‐premise environment to identify which workloads are a good fit for the cloud. We will also analyze your network to see whether it can support the increased IP traffic. From there, Softchoice can help/lead with the migration, implementation, and ongoing management of your Azure environment thereby reaching your ultimate objective for the cloud; a system that is agile and elastic.

Number three: Compliance and ROI. Up until recently, businesses had to focus on using the things they’re paying for, and pay for the things they’re using. That’s always been a part of a core IT asset management strategy. What’s really happening now ‐ because of the cloud ‐ is that customers are finding out what they’ve spent after their lines of business have consumed cloud services. Additionally, vendors are changing how software is licensed. Many are moving away from “seats” to more technical features like processors. This creates a new set of challenges, and major skill gaps for customers.

Thirdly, Asset Management. We’ve always been really good at helping customers use the things they’re paying for, and pay for the things they’re using. Today, we are presented with a new opportunity to really help customers understand the consumption of their lines of business, so they can make sure the way they’re buying cloud is the most cost‐effective way to do it. And ensure they have control ‐ even in a reactionary way ‐ to the subscriptions and the consumption that happens with their end users.

Businesses today are challenged with managing multiple licensing contracts, each with their own set of regulations and renewal rhythms. To manage all of this effectively, IT leaders often lack visibility into the current state of usage and renewals, expertise needed to navigate licensing agreements, and a methodology to right size the needs and budgets. Softchoice can help you collect inventory data, manage all types of Microsoft contracts, and provide you a licensing gap analysis to recommend the and most cost effective solution for your needs.

Number four: Fast, easy and automated way to do business with us. We live in a transparent world, where people can buy things on Amazon, and have it delivered by a drone that same day. The expectations of a customer’s users is very high around a transparent supply chain that moves quick.

Lastly, we help with Procurement, it’s about ensuring we deliver a world‐class website, supported by our ISAMs, along with a great virtual supply chain, that gets products to our customers quickly, and in a trouble‐free way.

Microsoft is going through the biggest procurement change in their history. By moving to a more subscription based model where customer’s needs can rapidly change, Softchoice has created tools on our website to help you control your spend. Dashboards have been created to help track your usage within Office 365 and Azure. We have also modernized our website to support new Microsoft programs, such as the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP).

Softchoice Presence

The best of both worlds – National and Local presence

Softchoice is a Microsoft Licensing Solutions Provider (LSP). This means we have the scale to support multiple Microsoft licensing solutions through our team of Microsoft Sales and Operational




specialists. Softchoice is also a Microsoft Systems Integrator (SI). This means we have local people that can help you with plan, implement, and support your custom solution.

There are literally thousands of potential IT providers to pick from in North America. The purpose of this image is to quickly winnow down the list to a select few that bring together the capabilities of a national footprint and the unique awareness that comes with also having local presence. The purpose of the following image is to clearly articulate what makes us unique and better amongst our competition. As you can see, as a national provider our scales are high, while our expertise extends to the local level.

What you get with our scale:

Reduce your costs and speed shipment delivery with our virtual supply chain

Top‐tier support and incentives through our strategic vendor relationships

Solve your problems quicker with access to our community of 500+ technical experts

What you get with our expertise:

Unique points of views informed by thousands of customer engagements

Local, seasoned experts who know your business

Accelerate your team’s learning with hands‐on, local boot‐camps & events

Also, Softchoice hosts several local events, webinars, lunch and learns, etc as it relates to Microsoft. Some Examples include:

Local Client Community Events (Discovery Series)

Azure Bootcamp Series

Microsoft Cloud Governance and Security in O365

Skype Webinars

Unleashing the Power of Office 365 workshops

Extending SQL to the Cloud info sessions Below is a recent photo of an Azure Bootcamp in Mississauga. Softchoice Technical Specialists have delivered over 40 events and webinars on the latest Microsoft technologies in 2018.




Microsoft Agreement Experience

Softchoice’s retention rate is second to none in the industry. In addition, a significant number of customers who initially signed with another Reseller have made the switch to Softchoice because of the award‐winning customer service and value‐added IT asset management services we provide. Softchoice manages the most Microsoft Enterprise Agreements in North America. In 2018, over 200 organizations moved their Microsoft agreements from a competing reseller to Softchoice.

Resources Licensing & Financial Strategy Consulting

Microsoft Sales Specialists Licensing Specialists SAM Consultants

Microsoft Solutions Architects Technology Consultants and Engineers

Project Management Office

Licensing Current State Assessment Customized Financial Analysis

Contract Consolidation, Processing, Management Monthly Reporting

Budgetary Planning Sessions

Softchoice tracks software program milestones and we monitor commitment levels. Our company made substantial investments in both human capital and infrastructure to provide our customers with a top level of service when it comes to managing your investments in software. Our sales representatives are local, highly trained in licensing, and prepared to help you recognize the full value of your software investments.

Through partnering with Softchoice, COE will be able to leverage exemplary industry skills necessary to help in the planning, design, implementation and support of your current and future technology requirements for all facets of Microsoft technologies

Once again, we would like to thank you for this opportunity to respond, and we look forward to building on our successes in the future. During the evaluation period, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, thoughts or considerations you may have regarding this proposal. As always, your time and willingness to consider Softchoice is very much appreciated.




Softchoice's Enterprise Agreement Lifecycle Management solution is a structured framework designed to help COE choose the right MS technology solutions through the best licensing structure. The framework promotes the deployment of the technology and that the value of the investment is realized during the term of their licensing agreement.

Our process includes:

Proprietary compliance TechCheck assessment service (Please refer to Appendix 3: Softchoice TechCheck ‐ for more information on our TechCheck Service)

Licensing gap analysis

Consultations with dedicated Microsoft licensing, solutions, and Software Assurance (SA) specialists (Please refer to Appendix 1: Microsoft‐Focused Resources (Canada) for detailed information.)

Cost modelling and scenario analysis with strategic recommendations

IT roadmaps and in‐depth product knowledge

CIO‐level annual account reviews and reporting

SA benefits utilization summary and guidance

Microsoft technology roadmaps

Project management of key milestones over the duration of the term including licensing changes, true‐ups, and renewals

Our approach to EA management allows Softchoice to deliver the following:

1. A lower total cost of ownership and reduced risk of non‐compliance by using the right procurement strategy and software asset management processes.

2. Much higher SA benefit utilization through diligent tracking and reporting of available and consumed SA benefits including management support and best practice guidance.

3. A simplified experience that allows customers to save time and money while also reducing exposure to risk and providing tools and insight to simplify true‐up and renewal processes.

As a leading Microsoft Licensing Services Provider (LSP) in Canada, Softchoice currently manages more Enterprise Agreements than any other competitive entity nationwide. Our overall knowledge base, expertise, and experience translate into superior ROI for our customers on the investments they make in Microsoft technologies.

The table below is a representation of value added services provided to Softchoice customers as compared to competing LSP entities.




Microsoft EES Agreement Renewal Process

Through leveraging the EES Agreement protocol detailed below, Softchoice will successfully facilitate strategic EES Renewal Agreement preparation and completion in collaboration with COE. In advance of the deadline, our dedicated Microsoft Specialist for COE, who has over 10 years’ of industry experience in managing and negotiating Microsoft agreements, will prepare an advanced EES cost modelling workbook. This will include a structured inventory of all licenses under the current agreement and any other expiring agreements to first determine current state. We will also assist with finalization of the Year Three True Up requirement as applicable. The workbook will be built to include an advanced cost modelling and scenario analysis detailing the Microsoft licensing programs that are available for consideration for COE at the time of the deadline. A pricing matrix will be provided for each scenario with an expert breakdown of the prospective advantages and disadvantages for COE under each prospective option. This complex exercise is a critically important step in the process. It is designed to facilitate informed decision making through exploration of all viable options available to COE.Through this process our expert team will work closely with COE stakeholders to ensure the attributes of each licensing program are intrinsically understood both from a short and long term perspective in terms of go forward strategic and financial implications for the business.




We typically assist our clients to understand their long‐term financial outlook by modelling each recommended licensing scenario beyond the initial contract term (i.e. 6‐9 years) with anticipated growth targets included as applicable. This provides insight to support the long term returns of an investment in a Microsoft licensing agreement by offering a complete line of sight against current and prospective future state requirements. To ensure the most favorable terms are achieved for COE, Softchoice will leverage our strategic market position with Microsoft and advanced industry knowledge to assist in development and execution of a defined renewal strategy built upon our knowledge and experience with successful negotiation tactics and levers when negotiating with Microsoft to secure the most advantageous renewal scenario possible for COE. Furthermore, we will ensure that alignment across the Microsoft executive and sales teams occurs to maximize any/all discounting potential prior to the renewal deadline. Our Award winning operations team are readily available to build, provide, and review the contractual paperwork as required to ensure that all parties are clear and comfortable with the terms of the contract prior to final sign off.

QuarterlyMicrosoftAccountManagementupdates

Softchoice will utilize an EA Management Process which suggests that we meet with you on a quarterly basis throughout the term of your agreement with agendas for each of those meetings that are specially created around an annual timeline of important actions for ensuring that you get the most from that agreement, while reducing the time and risk that goes into managing it.

Those quarterly reviews would cover topics such as:

Review of Products and Quantities on your EA Your Microsoft Client team and extended Support Resources at Softchoice Utilization of Microsoft Cloud Services Activation and Usage Planning of SA Benefits Licensing and Technology Roadmap Briefings Microsoft Technology Deployment Planning Microsoft Funding Sources for Deployment Projects Business Technology Review Assessment Services to assist with True‐up/Renewal Keystone Managed Services to support Adoption Review: Cost Analysis for your True‐Up/Renewal Update: Events, Useful Collateral, and Promotions

The meeting agendas we propose on annual basis, keeping in mind that the timing and naming of these meetings corresponds to the lifecycle of your Enterprise Agreement, and not to the time of year:

Quarterly Appointment #1

Review all products and quantities on EA

Activate and plan usage of all Software Assurance Benefits

Plan the deployment of technologies on the EA




Review resources available through your EA Reference Guide on softchoice.com


Softchoice to provide licensing and technology roadmap briefing

Review potential funding sources from Microsoft, based on your deployment plans

Explore the option for a Business Technology Review to support deployment planning


Discuss assessment services available to assist True‐Up planning

Review adoption and consumption of Microsoft technologies

Explore the option for Keystone Managed Services to support consumption and adoption


Finalize cost analysis for True‐Up

Review process for order placement and licensing acquisition

Prepare to schedule new quarterly EA reviews for the next year of the EA

Softchoice would also proactively communicate any changes, promotions on an ongoing basis, and fully intends on having open lines of communication with COE.




Softchoice will be maintaining on‐going communication with Client stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of the EA. Focusing on product roadmaps, licensing changes and impact, new releases, promotions, events etc. Softchoice is committed to providing value to XXXXX in order to ensure consistency across your Microsoft agreement practice. We have designed and follow a strong methodology which is outlined in the graphic below. Our methodology includes breaking down the agreement by year and outlining all tasks, roles and responsibilities to ensure quality of service for XXXXX

Although Softchoice has designed and follows the above outline, we understand that every organization, and every agreement, is unique and will require a specialized process.

COE will benefit from Softchoice’s years of experience managing various Corporate, Enterprise, Government and Educational Framework Agreements. One unique example is a customer that has 25+ entities and various Select Plus, EA, SCE, and EES associated agreements under their Master Agreement. In order to support these Agreements, Softchoice leverages a best in class, custom contract and invoice management system. Ensuring our clients get the right support, the right contract, and right invoice is core to the value of Softchoice. For our level of accuracy and client satisfaction through our Horizon platform, we have been awarded twelve (13) Microsoft Operational Excellence Awards.




Softchoice Approach to Cloud and Experience

During the 2018 Microsoft Impact Awards, Softchoice was recognized with the following achievements: EPG: 60% growth (#1) CTM: 53% growth (#1) Overall: 47% growth (#1) #1 Office 365 Growth Rate in CTM #1 Office 365 Mix in CTM #1 Azure Growth Partner in North America #1 Total Canada Market Share

As a result of Softchoice’s Cloud Assessment and Roadmap services, we have enabled our clients to move beyond incremental cost savings. Those clients, with our help, learned how to apply and leverage “Cloud” and “Next generation” platforms to drive innovation, growth and competitive advantage. Over 650 total Outlook/Exchange migrations completed Over 40 enterprise migrations with greater than 5,000 mailboxes Over 50 migrations completed with advanced eDiscovery enabled Over 40 implementations of Enhanced Threat Protection/RMS

Softchoice by the numbers:

Our experience has shown us that the transition to Cloud requires a new approach to transformation ‐ one that is collaborative, flexible and iterative. Thus we developed the Softchoice “Stage of Adoption” methodology (SoA). SoA encompasses: business, application, data, technology, security, governance, compliance, and service management perspectives. Our managed services offering,




Keystone Managed Services is well positioned to provide the support services and insights needed

after COE moves to Cloud.

Our approach will enable COE to focus on the right activities to gain optimal business outcomes.

COE will possess a repeatable methodology to align IT capabilities to COE business drivers and a reference framework to assess gaps against industry practices.

At its core, SoA emphasises collaboration among COE stakeholders from IT and business, and

Softchoice. Our assessment and planning activities serve to ensure a “speed to value” approach in

identifying cloud transformation opportunities and validate an approach tuned to COE’s needs. Through SoA we guide and help prepare COE via workshops, capability assessments, and leverage

our key differentiators such as industrialized IT portfolio scans, reference solutions, Softchoice

proprietary tools, techniques and experience to expedite COE’s journey to cloud. On the Journey to Cloud we discuss the need to establish business aligned decision making criteria related to what to move to Cloud, what to keep local, or transformations such as replacing services with Software as a Service (SaaS) service offerings. We highlight also Usage & Adoption from the end user perspective (both business and IT). Front line stakeholder buy‐in via effective change management, expectations management, and needs consideration will make a significant impact on optimizing benefits realized.

The Journey to Cloud

In its simplest form, when many individuals and organizations consider moving to Cloud based technologies, a lift and shift image comes to mind. For a handful of uncomplicated infrastructure and services, that may suffice.

Successful Cloud deployments, whether public or private, build on foundations driven by clear business objectives and business enabling technical architectures. Organizations that experience success in Cloud prepare clear plans, leverage a methodical approach, measure, monitor, and adjust every step of the way. Business value attained by successful Cloud experiences come about by considering factors beyond technology, e.g., skills, interdependencies, shift to services mindset, business integration and workflow impact to name a few.

Cloud is a tool. Leveraging Cloud technologies is one component in the overall Information Technology (IT) strategy to enable business drivers ‐‐ Alignment. Cloud technologies alone do not guarantee attainment of desired business outcomes. Deployed well in the overall IT strategy, it serves as a business enabler.

For leading companies with effective Cloud deployments, Cloud contributes to their competitive advantage.

Realizing and understanding that the shift to Cloud is a journey, Softchoice developed a methodology to help clients on their Journey to Cloud.

Stages of Adoption (The Softchoice methodology)

The design of the Softchoice methodology promotes a successful client journey to Cloud. We work with our clients to understand key business drivers, business requirements, key IT requirements, existing architectures and gaps – when necessary, we facilitate client development and consensus building for clear measureable business objectives and business requirement prioritization.




Our approach focuses on early wins by encouraging the move of one or two production workloads to Cloud. In our experience, clients that go this route avoid delays due to over analysis or trepidation related to uncertainties. Softchoice works with clients every step of the way as they gain experience and establish the foundation for growth; our available services span best practices guidance, mentoring, staff education / knowledge transfer, provisioning and set‐up, configuration, DevOps, security consultation; deployment automation, insights driven from performance monitoring and optimization, etc. In other words, Softchoice can provide a safety net as clients develop confidence.

Additional benefits associated with early production deployment include early business stakeholder engagement, and refined insights regarding intricacies of application integration interdependence. The lessons learned feed into the subsequent planning, migration, and optimization stages for the overall Migration to Cloud Roadmap.

Softchoice proposes that COE, when ready to move to Cloud, leverage this proven approach to

success with Cloud. The following sections outline the main stages of our approach. Each stage of the SoA builds on the knowledge, lessons, and experience of the previous stage. The Stages of Adoption (SoA) – Core Framework follows:

GapAnalysis

As with all IT strategy, setting the foundation for success begins with understanding desired business outcomes, consensus among all stakeholders – business and IT, and clarity of measurable business

objectives and success thresholds – i.e., enable COE to know when it achieves success.




Gap analysis activity captures information about COE ‘s technology infrastructure, applications, skills availability, security controls, etc. These items are assessed against COE’s clear business objectives, prioritized business requirements, and Softchoice’s industry best practices experience to highlight major alignment challenges and areas on which to focus.

The Gap Analysis stage aligns with client expectation for “Business Current Sate Planning” and addresses requirements such as:

Identify measurable business objectives as input to KPI and value realization metrics

Establish decision criteria, i.e. an enduring repeatable process to identify which applications to migrate to IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, other Cloud services

Assessment of the current infrastructure environment

Beginning of cost simulation – high level

Begin financial aspects of business case and financial model

Commence development of Cloud Risk Register

Identification of skills needed to support Cloud based application and infrastructure services – serve as input to future state IT organization chart

Commence mentoring and knowledge transfer to client personnel

Notes:

Stages are not intended to proceed in finish ‐ start sequence. Rather, as illustrated in the diagrams, we expect overlap of stages to optimize progress, expedite skills development, and continually demonstrate results to business stakeholders. For example, during Clear Business Objectives, Gap Analysis, and Get Moving it is reasonable to capture architectural information promptly and commence capture of application workloads and interdependencies.




GetMovingStage

Softchoice client success has come about from the early / prompt movement of one or two production workloads to Cloud, with the assistance of Softchoice during the Get Moving stage. This approach avoids delays associated with excessive analysis, demonstrates IT agility to business stakeholders, and begins the process of getting comfortable with Cloud earlier than traditional approaches. Benefits to this approach: Early business and IT commitment, establish positive momentum.

Get Moving constitutes the first phase of the overall migration strategy in the Softchoice SoA methodology.

The Get Moving stage aligns with and addresses client requirements such as:

Experience to refine IaaS vs. SaaS vs. PaaS vs. other Cloud services decision criteria Exploitation of initial quick win production application opportunities Refined assessment of the current client infrastructure environment Initial architectural foundation, including preliminary security constructs (needed to safely

operate the first production applications in Cloud) Commencement of technology architecture roadmap (application roadmap will be prepared

in the Plan Stage) Evolve cost simulation – high level Evolve financial aspects of business case and financial model Continue development / refinement of Cloud Risk Register Continue mentoring and knowledge transfer to client personnel

Notes:

1. Analysis and assessment for all a client’s target applications will be completed as part of the Plan stage. Lessons learned from the initial deployment will contribute to assessment efficiency.




PlanStage

Building on the direction, knowledge, information captured, and experience gained during the earlier

stages, Softchoice will work with COE to build the Migration to Cloud Roadmap.

WorkloadAnalyzer

Assess current workloads Identify application specific challenges and obstacles, e.g. leveraging older versions of

Microsoft SQL server Assess suitability of applications to be moved and impact of moving to Cloud Identify application interdependences and prepare application groupings to form an

application portfolio release management plan Prepare the application migration roadmap




SecurityManagementPlan

Work with client to establish the Security Management Plan for Cloud as a component of the client’s overall IT Security Management Plan and Practices

Provide industry leading Cloud security management guidance, including security awareness, Cloud security operations, access control management, etc.

RiskManagement

Work with client to establish Cloud Risk Management Plan as a component of the client’s overall IT Risk Management Plan and Practices as they align to the client’s Enterprise Business and IT Risk Management Strategy and Policies

Provide industry leading Cloud risk management guidance, including vendor risk management, Cloud asset configuration, disaster recovery and business continuity, audit and accountability, etc.

The Plan stage aligns with and addresses client requirements such as:

Refinement of preliminary architecture established during Get Moving stage that reflects a preferred target state; includes disaster recovery and business continuity constructs

Refine defined and documented security framework, security guidance, standards, etc.

Risk management framework (beyond security)

Application groupings and prioritization, including identification of additional quick win application opportunities, roadblocks, remediation needs, etc.

Application portfolio release management plan

Multi‐period (e.g. multi‐year, multi‐quarter)` Cloud Migration plan and timeline

Repeatable automation plan for deployment and administrative processes both during and post migration initiative; extend governance to facilitate developer self‐service with corresponding business unit show back / charge back mechanisms – promotes business accountability

More detailed cost simulation

Refine financial aspects of business case and financial model

More fully developed Cloud Risk Register – to be continually updated during subsequent phases based on new findings and adjustments to plan

Recommended future state IT organization chart, skill needs, support services

Continue mentoring and knowledge transfer to client personnel




MigrationStage

MigrationStrategy

Representing execution activities for moving client technical applications and services to the Cloud, our experience and that of our most successful clients strongly emphasises automation. Automation saves time, facilities parallel activities as well as managed sequencing, enforces standards, eases overall manageability and environment administration, reduces business risk related to manual deployment errors, etc.

CloudMigrationMethodology

Our clients benefit greatly from Softchoice’s experience and techniques associated with infrastructure and application deployments, plus strategies and tactics that for most applications can reduce upgrade outage times to zero.

The Migration stage aligns with and addresses client requirements such as:

Execution of application portfolio release management plan and associated detailed project plans

Further refinement of architecture (if necessary) as initial applications get deployed

Oversight and tuning of security framework and configuration(s) as necessary




Oversight and tuning of risk management framework as necessary

Tuning of automation scripts and templates as necessary to ensure repeatability of deployment and ease of administrative processes both during and post migration initiative

Update Cloud Risk Register as necessary based on new findings and adjustments to plan

Continue mentoring and knowledge transfer to client personnel

OptimizeStage

Represents continual monitoring:

Attainment of desired business outcomes to ensure alignment to business drivers, i.e., demonstrate success or need for tuning to achieve business objectives

Technical performance, usage

Fiscal reviews of costs, spend, sources of demand, etc.

This continual, proactive monitoring practice forms a critical part of the Cloud, cost, and business alignment governance process. Driven by previously established metrics, actual results, and industry norms, the Optimize stage identifies tuning needs, sources of resources consumption, right sized vendor commit / contract adjustments, and opportunities to leverage new services or expand the client’s comfort zone by introducing new techniques.

The Optimize stage may be managed by:

The client independently, or

The client, with period review and consultation with Softchoice Professional Services, or

The client may choose to outsource management of the Cloud environment to Softchoice’s managed service offering: Keystone Managed Services.

Keystone fast facts:

24x7x365 live answer, no queues Advanced technology and industry certifications Multi‐channel support (web, phone and email) Centralized North American global support Access to technology labs for testing and R&D Ability to escalate to field services Unlimited calls for support, questions, and mentoring by vendor certified technical team Proactive strategy related to the infrastructure, allowing for higher up time and continual

service improvement




The Optimize stage, when executed well, benefits client as follows:

Continuous performance monitoring, value assessment, and monitoring for alignment to desired business outcomes

Opportunity for smaller capacity adjustments and smoother cash flow management relative to legacy infrastructure approach

Example: Storage provisioning. Blue = Capacity, Red = Demand Red

Continual governance of application portfolio and business stakeholder engagement

Architectural tuning as necessary

Oversight and tuning of security framework and configuration(s) as necessary

Oversight and tuning of risk management framework as necessary

Continue mentoring and knowledge transfer to COE personnel (assumes client leverages

Softchoice Keystone Manages Services)

SampleHigh‐levelTimelineStructure

Legacy increment and spend frequency Optimized approach ‐ more granular capacity increments and spend frequency




As can be seen by the sample timeline structure, there is significant overlap across the stages. The Softchoice Stages of Adoption methodology seeks to expedite migration to Cloud services in order to optimize benefit realization and to mitigate migration costs including those associated with continuing to support legacy environments.

UsageandAdoption(U&A)

On the journey to Cloud it is easy to focus on technology, processes, costs, management and administration, skills, etc. In our experience, our more successful clients consider and prepare a Usage & Adoption Framework as part of the overall change management plan associated with the move to Cloud.

The Stage of Adoption contain some implicit Usage & Adoption activities via business stakeholder engagement, facilitation and discovery mechanisms, as is the case with Vision Consult and Business Requirements Determination Services. Similarly, IT stakeholders are encourage to participate during discovery, planning, architectural and technical meetings, and training.

A deliberate, thoughtful approach to Usage & Adoption can make significant difference in the realization of benefits and optimization of client Cloud investments.

UsageandAdoptionFramework

A well‐executed Usage & Adoption Framework considers the people aspects of change management, anticipates potential resistance, focuses heavily on frequent meaningful communication, actively solicits stakeholder input and feedback, etc. Training forms only one part of the overall Usage & Adoption Framework – user learning capabilities and needs are considered to establish a variety of education delivery methods such as documentation, webinars, gamification, etc.

Included as part of the overall change management plan, the Usage & Adoption Framework requires clear overt visible sponsorship by a client leadership. Building on the Vision Consult service and the resulting clear business objectives, the Usage & Adoption Framework seeks to promote early adoption of Cloud as a whole or specific point changes (e.g., a new SaaS solution), accommodate employee needs, and minimize potential resistance to change.

The following table illustrates key elements of the Softchoice approach to Usage & Adoption Services.




The Microsoft Cloud Journey

Why Microsoft Cloud Services?

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Recognized as one of Canada's Great Places to Work, Microsoft Canada Co. provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software. Microsoft Canada is a creative workplace which attracts the best and brightest talent in the IT industry who bring an ever evolving vision of the future to reality.

Microsoft software helps businesses and consumers to reach their full potential, however they define it. Woven throughout daily life, whether it be work or play, Microsoft technologies flourish when they get into the hands of millions of Canadian partners and customers enabling innovation often in new ways.

Microsoft Canada is equally passionate about committing to Canadian communities. Since its inception, Microsoft Canada has had a corporate giving philosophy that goes beyond financial donations to champion inventive forms of philanthropy.

Microsoft Azure is a growing collection of integrated cloud services—analytics, computing, database, mobile, networking, storage, and web—for moving faster, achieving more, and saving money. Any developer or IT professional can be productive with Azure. The integrated tools, pre‐built templates and managed services make it easier to build and manage enterprise, mobile, Web and Internet of Things (IoT) apps faster, using skills you already have and technologies you already know. Microsoft is also the only vendor positioned as a Leader across Gartner’s Magic Quadrants for Cloud Infrastructure as a Service, Application Platform as a Service, and Cloud Storage Services for the second consecutive year.

Azure supports the broadest selection of operating systems, programming languages, frameworks, tools, databases and devices. Run Linux containers with Docker integration; build apps with JavaScript, Python, .NET, PHP, Java and Node.js; build back‐ends for iOS, Android and Windows devices. Azure cloud service supports the same technologies millions of developers and IT professionals already rely on and trust.

Some cloud providers make you choose between your datacenter and the cloud. Not Azure, which easily integrates with your existing IT environment through the largest network of secure private connections, hybrid database and storage solutions, and data residency and encryption features — so your assets stay right where you need them. And with Azure Stack, you can bring the Azure model of application development and deployment to your datacenter. Azure hybrid cloud solutions give you the best of both worlds: more IT options, less complexity and cost. It’s why it’s one of the best cloud computing services available.

Azure’s pay‐as‐you‐go services can quickly scale up or down to match demand, so you only pay for what you use. Per‐minute billing and a commitment to match competitor prices for popular infrastructure services like compute, storage and bandwidth mean you’re always getting unbeatable price for performance




We know some organizations are still wary of the cloud. That’s why Microsoft has made an industry‐leading commitment to the protection and privacy of your data. We were the first cloud provider recognized by the European Union’s data protection authorities for our commitment to rigorous EU privacy laws. Microsoft was also the first major cloud provider to adopt the new international cloud privacy standard, ISO 27018.

Bring the power of data to every user in your organization with BI and analytics Empower employees to make informed decisions with easy‐to‐use business intelligence (BI) and analytics tools that seamlessly combine existing enterprise data, external data, and unstructured big data. Deliver the power of data to every user in your organization with a comprehensive, end‐to‐end BI and analytics solution that’s built into SQL Server.

With Office 365, Office in the Cloud, your go‐to Office—anywhere. Whether you’re working in your office or on the go, you get a familiar, top‐of‐the‐line set of productivity tools. Office applications —always the latest versions—let you create, edit, and share from your PC/Mac or your iOS, Android™, or Windows device with anyone in real time.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM a suite of easy‐to‐learn and easy‐to‐use business solutions tailored to your market, designed for your business size, and dedicated to growing your business through happy customers. Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers a full range of software focused on delivering business insights that matter to both you and your customers.




Softchoice In‐house Microsoft Resources

Softchoice works hard to develop strong relations with industry partners. Our Microsoft resources each log in over 200 hours of Microsoft training each year. It’s this commitment to working closely with Microsoft that allows us to bring the best in the industry right to your door.

That means being able to leverage the appropriate people and resources – from over 100 technical experts who can answer your questions about solution and product compatibility and lifecycle, to solution architects who help complete your projects – when you need them most. Through Softchoice you get fast connections that go straight to the source.

Microsoft Product and Licensing Specialists: We know Microsoft like the back of our hand. We prove this daily with our North America‐wide network of Microsoft focused experts.

Software Asset Management Experts: These full‐time accredited experts make your software management smart and efficient. We’ve delivered software asset management consultations to over 1300 customers.

Solutions Architects: Tenured experts work with you to develop custom, innovative strategies and vision for Microsoft Solutions.

Enterprise Sales Specialists: Working alongside your Softchoice Account Executive, this team helps you manage your Microsoft agreements and meet with you on a scheduled basis.




In addition, Softchoice has over 90 employees dedicated to our Microsoft practice. Their range of skills scale from Agreement Management, to ITAM, to knowledge of each Microsoft SKU. Our two main Microsoft teams are described below:

Softchoice’s Microsoft Licensing Sales Team

This team consists of 60 people dedicated to being experts in the field of Microsoft Product Use Rights and Licensing. This group of Microsoft Licensing experts work collectively toward ensuring our clients receive all Microsoft updates quickly after they are announced and understand the potential impact of these changes to their specific Microsoft position. This team is available to assist with any technical questions and concerns, or any questions pertaining to the specifics of a client’s agreement. In order to provide the top level of service to COE. Softchoice will dedicate a Microsoft Sales Specialist (MSS) to your Agreement who will be integral in supporting all Microsoft Product and License related inquiries and discussions. The MSS will ensure that COE is notified about licensing changes, upgrade options, EOL notices, and tracking agreement details.

Softchoice’s Microsoft Licensing Operations Team

This team consists of 25 people tasked with ensuring accuracy and audit on our order and contract submissions to Microsoft. The people shown on the chart represent the Canadian team. This team prepares the Microsoft Contracts and also acts as an additional layer of review before contracts are processed with Microsoft. This team helps ensure our clients save time and money by properly submitting and managing the contract process.

Softchoice continues to ensure our Sales and Technical support personnel are enrolled and updated with the latest Microsoft training and certifications.

Post Sales Licensing Support

Microsoft is one of our largest and most complex vendors. With online services being their main business drivers; new portals, agreements and support lines are emerging for end‐users to utilize. The growing use of these constantly changing services often pose challenges to our clients.

Softchoice created a unique team specializing in non‐technical Microsoft Licensing issues, referred to as the Post‐Sales Licensing Support Team. Our Post‐Sales team offers a reliable and consistent support service that all clients can currently utilize. The Post‐Sales Services is a complimentary service to our Microsoft Agreement clients and would be provided to IRDC.

Access to Softchoice Technical and Solutions Architects

Finally, with over 200 technical pre‐sales technical and Solutions Architects trained and certified in Microsoft Technologies, Softchoice is able to offer COE information on leveraging existing Microsoft licensing and road mapping toward new/future technologies.

The Softchoice Microsoft Practice is built on a solid foundation incorporating a center of excellence, very strong vendor relationships, and technical expertise unparalleled in the industry

Softchoice Microsoft Services works in partnership with customers to provide customized solutions to develop and evolve their Microsoft solutions across the full range of technologies.




Softchoice Services include:

Access

Microsoft Licensing TechCheck Active Directory Healthcheck Exchange Healthcheck Skype Healthcheck & Roadmap System Center 2012 Packaged Pilot Office 365 Assessment & Roadmap

SharePoint Roadmap (ECM / BPM / Enterprise Portal)

Architect

Planning for Active Directory / Exchange / System Center / Skype) Migration (Novell / Lotus Notes / SharePoint / Office 365)

Upgrade ( Active Directory / OCS / Exchange / SharePoint )

Implement

Active Directory / System Center / Exchange / Skype / SharePoint / Office 365

Manage

Knowledge Transfer Training & Adoption Programs

Ongoing Healthchecks




Softchoice MICROSOFT REPORTING

In addition to our online reporting on a per order basis, we leverage our reporting services team to provide dashboard reports on a monthly, quarterly and/or annual basis. In this way, we can benchmark spend by publisher and manufacturer over specific time periods to assist with tracking, billing and contract negotiations. Furthermore, product fulfillment data is also provided. Examples

Purchasing Options – This type of comparison report can be used for any type of purchases of Hardware, Software and Services.

Year over Year Spend Analysis – Being able to provide year over year growth broken out by manufacturer allows you to negotiate deeper discounts and long term pricing agreements. Showing a manufacturer an increase of 50% year of year in spending drives cost savings discussions to a new level and allows you to leverage their buying power more effectively. Within this report, COE have the ability to drill down on each manufacturer to find all the supporting information that make up this spend. Pulling back information such as; Ship to, Products ordered, PO #, Cost Centre, Date of Order, etc.

Together, MySoftchoice and Microsoft’s VLSC will provide COE with all of the functionality we need to successfully manage the Microsoft investments made through COE’s Licensing Agreements. Softchoice will work with COE to tailor the highly customizable portal to suit the needs of IT, Purchasing, and Vendor Management.

The MySoftchoice Portal has predefined Microsoft Agreement reporting that provides the PO, Agreement Number, Microsoft’s invoice number, and the invoice details.




The “details” tab allows COE to drill down to the license level by PO to see the items, quantities.

The portal also provides the ability to create custom reporting that will provide a number of categories to select from:

Once the parameters are set, a custom report will be generated that can be exported to Excel or saved in the portal.




Indicate reporting capabilities, including performance for service, frequency of reports, and alerts or notifications that are available.

Microsoft Azure and Office 365 offer capabilities for reporting via service status dashboards in the associated management portals and via reports and logging that administrators can generate. In addition Softchoice Keystone Managed Services offers reporting capabilities on Azure and Office 365 usage via our Keystone Azure and Office 365 Dashboards and Keystone Managed services reporting. COE may also consider leveraging Microsoft cloud offerings for monitoring and management that support Azure and hybrid IT infrastructure as they evolve their cloud strategy. The following section identifies some of the key reporting capabilities for Microsoft Cloud services, Softchoice can assist clients in developing a cloud administration and governance model that fits their requirements with these and additional capabilities of the Microsoft cloud.

Office 365

The status of Office 365 services can be viewed via the Office 365 Service Health Dashboard in the Office 365 Portal. The Service health section of Office 365 shows the current status of the service and details about service disruptions and outages. Planned maintenance information is available on the Office 365 Message Center.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en‐us/library/office‐365‐service‐health.aspx

Additional Office 365 Usage and security reporting is available from:

Office 365 Activity Reports – You can easily see how people in your business are using Office 365 services. For example, you can identify who is using a service a lot and reaching quotas, or who may not need an Office 365 license at all. Reports are available for the last 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days. Data won't exist for all reporting periods right away. The reports become available with at least 30 days of data.

□ https://support.office.com/en‐us/article/Activity‐Reports‐in‐the‐Office‐365‐admin‐center‐0d6dfb17‐8582‐4172‐a9a9‐aed798150263

The Office 365 Security & Compliance Center is a portal for protecting your data in Office 365. The Office 365 Security & Compliance Center will be useful for clients who have data protection or compliance needs, or want to audit user activity in their organization. Use the Office 365 Security & Compliance Center to manage compliance for all of your organization’s data across Office 365. You can manage eDiscovery searches and holds, access for mobiles devices, and more.

□ https://support.office.com/en‐us/article/Office‐365‐Security‐Compliance‐Center‐7e696a40‐b86b‐4a20‐afcc‐559218b7b1b8

Azure

The status of Azure Public Cloud services is available via the Azure Status web site and via the Azure Portal. The Azure Status portal, https://azure.microsoft.com/en‐us/status/ provides a view of the status of global Azure resources in Microsoft regions and any service outages or impacts. In addition clients can view service notifications in the Azure Portal relating to their specific subscriptions.

There are also Microsoft Azure services that can be leveraged by clients to monitor Azure resources gain insights into health and status:

Azure Monitor ‐ is basic tool for monitoring services running on Azure. It gives you infrastructure‐level data about the throughput of a service and the surrounding environment. If you are managing your apps all in Azure, deciding whether to scale up or down resources, then Azure Monitor gives you what you use to start.




o https://docs.microsoft.com/en‐us/azure/monitoring‐and‐diagnostics/monitoring‐overview‐azure‐monitor

Azure Advisor ‐ is a personalized cloud consultant that helps you follow best practices to optimize your Azure deployments. It analyzes your resource configuration and usage telemetry and then recommends solutions that can help you improve the cost effectiveness, performance, high availability, and security of your Azure resources.

□ https://docs.microsoft.com/en‐us/azure/advisor/advisor‐overview Azure Resource Health ‐ Resource health helps you diagnose and get support when an Azure

issue impacts your resources. It informs you about the current and past health of your resources and helps you mitigate issues. Resource health provides technical support when you need help with Azure service issues. Whereas Azure Status informs you about service issues that affect a broad set of Azure customers, resource health provides you with a personalized dashboard of the health of your resources. Resource health shows you all the times your resources were unavailable in the past due to Azure service issues. This makes it simple for you to understand if an SLA was violated.

□ https://docs.microsoft.com/en‐us/azure/resource‐health/resource‐health‐overview

Softchoice Keystone

Softchoice Keystone managed services provides insight into clients cloud usage via our Softchoice cloud dashboards for Azure and Office 365 as well as our regular reporting and Quarterly Business Reviews.

Azure Dashboard

□ Softchoice configures and utilizes the My Softchoice Cloud Azure Dashboard for clients who are supported by Softchoice Keystone managed services for Azure.

□ The dashboard provides details on Azure subscription spending and utilization. Softchoice will provide all Azure subscription spending; the dashboard displays daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual spending forecast; analytics display spending detailed by department, account, subscription, resource group, tag, and instance. The dashboard will provide detailed analytics based on the Clients Azure volume commitments; based on actual consumption Softchoice will provide the Client with guidance on revising Azure commitment levels to maximize financial performance. Access to the dashboard is available to the client to provide up‐to‐date metrics on the state of their subscription.

□ In addition to this dashboard, Softchoice shall provide the client with recommendations as to how to best utilize their subscriptions through monthly and quarterly Reports.

Office 365 Dashboard □ Office 365 Dashboard will provide clients with real time insights into subscription

allocation and usage.

□ Office 365 Monitoring Dashboard will provide views into the status of supporting Office 365 components that are within Softchoice monitoring scope such as Azure AD Connect, Exchange Hybrid servers or ADFS infrastructure

Keystone Monthly Reporting – Monthly status reporting is conducted with Keystone clients to review Keystone services, incidents and escalations and cloud usage statistics




Keystone Quarterly Reviews – For clients with Keystone Complete services Quarterly Business Reviews are conducted to advise and assist the client in making data‐driven decisions for how to best allocate resources within their Azure and Office 365 subscription

Operations Management Suite (OMS)

Microsoft Offers Operations Management Suite a cost effect all In one cloud based IT Management Solution. Microsoft OMS is the IT management solution for the hybrid cloud. Used alone or to extend your existing System Center deployment, OMS gives you the maximum flexibility and control for cloud‐based management of your infrastructure. With OMS, you can manage any instance in any cloud, including on‐premises, Azure, AWS, Windows Server, Linux, VMware, and OpenStack, at a lower cost than competitive solutions. Built for the cloud‐first world, OMS offers a new approach to managing your enterprise that is the fastest, most cost‐effective way to meet new business challenges and accommodate new workloads, applications and cloud environments. Microsoft OMS delivers:

Simplicity: A single portal for all your management tasks. No infrastructure to maintain. Time to value: Onboard fast. No content to create. Connects to your on‐premises datacenter. Easy to integrate: Add new servers, or connect to your existing management tools within

minutes. Hybrid and open: Manage workloads across Windows and Linux, hybrid and public clouds,

Azure and AWS. Optimized for System Center: Complements your System Center investment to unleash new

management scenarios.




MICROSOFT SA BENEFITS

Actively engage with COE stakeholders to understand and consume available benefits to get best value out of dollar spend. I.e. SA benefits administration


One of our core competencies is in helping customers understand the benefits of software licensing and compliance. We provide a number of technical resources – from SIIA approved reporting to services that allow you to track renewal and expiry dates – to streamline the licensing management process. Our expertise in this area goes back many years and is reflected in the people, tools, services and exemplary relationships with our vendor partners that we leverage on behalf of our customers.

Understanding and managing Software Assurance Benefits (SA) is a difficult and time consuming task. At Softchoice you will have a dedicated SA Specialist, who will help you manage and administer your benefits throughout the lifecycle of your contract. The SA Specialist’s single purpose is to ensure that you realize the maximum value that SA provides. Below you will find our typical engagement strategy.

Stage One: Beginning your Enterprise Enrolment

During the first 30 days of signing of your Enrolment, Softchoice will, with permitted access, activate all of your SA benefits. The activation of benefits includes gaining access to the administration of your agreements and the registration of eligible users for benefits such as TechNet Plus. A list of users complete with full name and email from the client will be necessary.

You will receive 3 deliverables during this stage:

SA Benefits profile dollar report: Gartner Group conducted a study to equate each SA benefit to a retail market dollar figure

SA Benefits Activation report: Includes all access information as well as details about each of your SA benefits. This is an important document as it contains all ID's that will be necessary to use your benefits. Softchoice will have it permanently on file.

SA Benefits Package: This outlines all the SA benefits in further detail and provides all the necessary information which will enable your organization to achieve full value from the benefits.




After this initial step we will book a follow‐up meeting to align your "Top 6" benefits. These are the benefits you have identified that will bring the most value to your organization and how they can impact any upcoming projects.

The "Top 6" benefits that Softchoice sees the most value in are: Planning Services Training Vouchers eLearning TechNet Plus 24x7 Problem Resolution Support Desktop Optimization Package

Stage Two: Maintaining your Enterprise Enrolment

During this stage your AE and sales specialist will be available for any support requests or administrative actions that are needed. Any SA program changes/updates will be communicated pro‐actively to the contact person on each of your enrolments. Throughout this period you will also be in contact with your training Account Manager who will provide information on new course offerings under the Microsoft programs.

Deliverables: SA Dollar profile usage report: This report will show the SA benefits activity of each enrolment as applied to the retail dollar figures provided by the Gartner Group.

Stage Three: Renewing your Enterprise Enrolment

As you move into the renewal period of your contract, Softchoice will provide information and reports to identify the remaining un‐realized value of your SA benefits profile. During this period we will assess your renewal needs moving into a new enrolment and provide insight to your future SA benefits profile. This is especially effective with the Training Vouchers as it will enable you to align your future training needs with your available Training Vouchers and the new allotment of vouchers that will be readily available under your renewal enrolment.

Here is an example of one of the SA Benefit Consumption Reports you will receive from Softchoice:




Softchoice provides guidance and support during XXXX annual software compliance assessment to ensure licensing accuracy and assess true up requirements within 90 days of the anniversary

Softchoice provides guidance and support during True Up cycles. Furthermore in the event of a Microsoft audit, Softchoice reports can be recognized as proof of purchase of software license. COE can use these reports as official ‘receipts’ and as a reference for any order that is placed. True‐up Planning is also built into Softchoice’s EA Management schedule as outlined in ‘section e’ above,

As a potential new Microsoft client for Softchoice, COE would be entitled to take advantage of our Ascend Program (Please refer to Appendix 2: Softchoice Ascend for further details) which includes a funded Microsoft TechCheck Assessment. (Please refer to Appendix 3: Softchoice TechCheck for further details).

Softchoice will provide COE a customizable dashboard for pricing quotes, procurement, reporting and order management


We have built industry leading reporting and searching capabilities which translate into significant savings in product cost and FTE time requirements. In addition, we offer a number of valuable services to help our customers manage their IT assets effectively, train their end‐users on new technology and receive fully optimized solutions based on their unique hardware requirements.

My Softchoice is dedicated to help all areas of your business locate, order, and track technology purchases. For example, we can allow all your end users to conduct product research online with custom messaging, standards, but no purchase abilities or very specific dollar thresholds. We can implement a workflow that automatically routes requests based on manager and/or cost center. We can store data that allows you to distribute product, supplier, or other contractual information; your portal can be customized to suit the needs of IT, Purchasing, and Vendor Management.

The customer portal is a highly customizable website that can be "flexed" to match a customer's requirements, whether for 10 standard products or a catalogue of over 350,000 items. Softchoice uses a proprietary system to quote and order products for our customers, and it is the basis for our powerful reporting tools. This system captures Division, Line of Business, Cost Centers, PO Numbers, “Ship To” Address, “Ship To” Contact, Buyer, “Bill To” Address, “Bill To” Contact, Comment Field, Softchoice Part Number, Manufacturer Part Number, Product Description, Price, and Quantities.

All Softchoice quotes are managed electronically and are available online 24 x 7 for review, approval, and order placement. Any of your employees who possess the proper access levels can track and view orders, purchase history, agreement details, and current standards, all in real time.

Search our complete online catalogue by product title, manufacturer/publisher product number, a wide range of technical specifications, product availability, price, and get only those products which match your original search. Softchoice Online simplifies your experience by giving you the ability to make side‐by‐side comparisons that can easily be e‐mailed and shared to your account team or within the organization.

www.softchoice.com features:

Customizable Widgets: Located on the customer Dashboard, widgets can be customized to show the following information:




Microsoft Agreement Details Recent orders Open orders Orders pending approvals Approval statistics Shipped orders Active quotes Customer reports Standards lists Contact information for contract Account Support

representatives

Standards List: Allows clients to put set Microsoft Pricing (standards) on an easily accessible list. The list removes the need to search for products on the website and it can be customized such that users can only buy items on the Standards List or such that users can only see the items on the list but have no purchasing power.

Price: Allows clients to view their preferred pricing based on contract terms.

Reporting: Provides customers with on‐demand, easy to access reporting capabilities. Reports can be based on pre‐defined report requirements or newly created based on different criteria. All reports can be either exported to XLS or CSV or stored on the portal in the Document Repository.

The MySoftchoice Portal also has predefined Microsoft Agreement reporting that provides the PO, Agreement Number, Microsoft’s invoice number, and the invoice details.

Softchoice’s systems were built in order to facilitate long term, easily accessible, accurate reporting and as such it is one of our biggest strengths. In addition to that, we customize many publisher reports and other purchase data metrics to meet the needs our clients’ needs. Finally, we excel when held to a stringent set of performance metrics and can provide reporting for review in many areas.

Through Softchoice.com’s various reporting features, you can easily generate reports that reflect all pertinent order information, including the customer Purchase Order number, PO reference number, part numbers, quantity purchased, quantity ordered and unit price (and measure any delivery charges that may have applied). A clear specification of Ship To and Bill To locations and contact persons are also plainly visible.

Working with Softchoice you can expect to receive the following reports:

Annual Budget reports outlining all purchases made in a calendar year (with and without manufacturer maintenance)

Monthly purchase order reports

Quarterly account team performance metrics

Softchoice reports are recognized as proof of purchase of software license and you can use these reports as official ‘receipts’ and as a reference for any order that is placed.

In addition to our online reporting on a per order basis, we leverage our reporting services team to provide customizable dashboard reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. In this way, we can provide COE benchmark spend by publisher and manufacturer over specific time periods to assist with tracking, billing and contract negotiations. Furthermore, product fulfillment data is also provided.




MyDashboard:

CustomReportingTool:




CloudPortal

Provides real‐time analytics to track, manage, and control usage by: Department, dollar spend, date, subscription ID, location, service.




Microsoft Azure & O365 Product roadmap, end‐to‐end strategy, and proposed platform future proofing.

Continued focus and investment on Microsoft Azure Datacenters for Microsoft. In the past year, the number of datacenter regions across the globe has increased from 34 to 40 as a clear sign of the commitment and investment made by Microsoft on their cloud strategy.

Azure Cloud Platform for Business Roadmap: The Cloud Platform roadmap provides a snapshot of what Microsoft is presently

developing and improving on for the Cloud Platform. Use the roadmap to find out what has been recently made generally available, released into public preview, are still developing and testing, or are no longer developing. https://www.microsoft.com/en‐us/cloud‐platform/roadmap‐recently‐available?TabIndex=0&dropValue=AllProducts




Office 365 (O365) – Business Productivity Suite:

The Office 365 Roadmap lists updates that are currently planned for applicable subscribers. Updates are at various stages from being in development to rolling‐out to customers to being generally available for applicable customers world‐wide. https://products.office.com/en‐us/business/office‐365‐roadmap

At the time of this RFI submission, O365 Product Roadmap websites provides details of the ongoing product roadmap and development efforts to continue to rollout improvements and feature enhancement:

□ 28 ‐ Launched Features (Fully released updates that are now generally available for applicable customers)

□ 62 ‐ Rolling Out (Updates that are beginning to roll‐out and are not yet available to all applicable customers)

□ 199 ‐ In development (Updates that are currently in development and testing)

□ 1 ‐ Cancelled (Previously planned updates that are no longer being developed or are indefinitely delayed)

□ 185 ‐ Previously released (Generally available updates for all applicable customers)




Softchoice & Enabling End Users (O365)

Specifically, within our Microsoft practice. What we’ve noticed is an increase in end user devices. More and more, customers are moving to a bring‐your‐own‐device or choose‐your‐own‐device environment. With Office 365, we enable our customers to provide Microsoft applications across these multiple devices but also secure this environment through Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility and Security suite.

Moving to a cloud solution takes more than just purchasing licenses. Softchoice assesses your on‐premise environment to see what workloads are a good fit for the cloud. We will also analyze your network to see whether it can support the increased IP traffic. From there, Softchoice can help with the migration, implementation, and ongoing management of your Azure environment thereby reaching your ultimate objective for the cloud; a system that is agile and elastic.

Businesses today are challenged with managing multiple licensing contracts, each with their own set of regulations and renewal rhythms. To manage all of this effectively, IT leaders often lack visibility into the current state of usage and renewals, expertise needed to navigate licensing agreements, and a methodology to right size the needs and budgets. Softchoice can help you collect inventory data, manage all types of Microsoft contracts, and provide you a licensing gap analysis to recommend the best solution for your needs.

Microsoft is going through the biggest procurement change in their history. By moving to a more subscription based model where customer’s needs can rapidly change, Softchoice has created tools on our website to help you control your spend. Dashboards have been created to help track your usage within Office 365 and Azure. We have also modernized our website to support new Microsoft programs, such as the Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP).

The first way Softchoice helps customers is around enabling end users. In this area, more than any other, we need to understand how an end‐user is going to use the technology. It’s also really important to understand how that technology relates to other technology and business collaboration technologies in a customer’s environment so that it gets properly implemented, and integrated, in a meaningful way that will drive adoption.

Softchoice Enables End Users with three distinct offerings

Office 365 Accelerator:

Creation of Office 365 Tenant complete with Single Sign On and directory synchronization to current systems

Interactive workshop focusing on architecture, administration and operations Migration of mailboxes can be sized to meet the capacity of staff and budget

EMS Accelerator:

Definition, design and implementation of identity management, SSO, and Multifactor Authentication(MFA) using AADP

Construction of mobile device management and software distribution solution in line with corporate policy for defined device and/or user sets

Practical workshop on executing Azure Rights Management policy

Keystone for Office 365:

Unlimited Configuration Mentorship, proven Onboarding & Transition Process, and Office 365 roadmap guidance

Insight delivered through Softchoice Cloud Services Dashboard




Unlimited 24x7 Live Answer Support

Softchoice Office 365 Adoption Planning Services

The success or failure of an Office 365 deployment is directly related to the rate of end user adoption. Softchoice has observed that the key reason Office 365 deployment projects fail to deliver the business value that clients expect is due to lack of user adoption and training.

To assist clients with planning their Office 365 rollouts Softchoice has dedicated adoption services and training resources that can be leveraged. Softchoice Adoption Services are offered as 3 distinct packages based on customer needs. Bronze, Silver and Gold.

For the initial rollout of Office 365 the silver adoption services package is suggested and shown here and could be included as an option to the Office 365 Migration Project to support user adoption. Additional packages can be reviewed as part of a presentation of Softchoice’s overall adoption services strategy.




O365 Implementation

Office 365 Tenant Configuration

Softchoice will configure and validate the Office 365 tenant. The tenant will be configured to support Exchange online as well as the configuration of additional services that may be in scope of the initial Office 365 Adoption.

Enable basic Skype for Business and OneDrive configuration

Exchange Online Configuration

Softchoice will configure Exchange Online within one (1) Office 365 tenant

Configure the messaging environment as per the design Configure Exchange Online Protection for basic email protection and provide guidance to

Client so they can perform advanced configurations Install and prepare a Hybrid configuration between Exchange on‐premises and Office 365 Configure Exchange Online email settings Configure one (1) Azure AD Connect server with synchronization between one (1) Active

Directory domain and one (1) Office 365 tenant

Configure Exchange Hybrid

Deploy the latest version of the Exchange Hybrid configuration to support integration with Exchange on premise to Office 365 Exchange Online. The Hybrid configuration will also generate mail connectors on premise and in the cloud that will route mail between Office 365 hosted users and on premise hosted users.

Testing & Pilot Migration

The purpose of the testing phase is to validate the initial configuration of Office 365. The outcome and tasks to be delivered within this phase are as follows:

Perform mailbox migration testing with non‐production accounts. Office 365 licenses will be provided by Client for up to ten (10) test accounts for testing purposes. These licenses can be revoked once testing has been completed

Perform email migration testing based on the Softchoice Office 365 testing checklist Test and validate migration procedures Following the completion of testing and sign off conduct live pilot user migrations

Softchoice will work with appropriate Client resources to perform two (2) Pilot migrations as outlined below:

Initial Pilot ‐ migration of 5‐10 production pilot user mailboxes and one (1) shared production mailbox

Validate connectivity to Office 365 Client will coordinate Migration Pilot testing and report anomalies to Softchoice Expanded Pilot ‐ migration of an additional 10‐20 production pilot user mailboxes




Production O365 Migration

Describe the approach to production migration, Softchoice scope, client scope and how we would support he client during migration

Softchoice will provide services to complete the production migration if desired or can accommodate the following options for production migration

Migration in Project Scope

If the complete migration is included in the project scope the Softchoice Systems Engineer will conduct the mailbox migrations and enable required Office 365 Services

The client will provide end user support for via their normal processes Softchoice will provide 3rd level escalation support for migration related issues

Client Lead Migration

Softchoice will provide an overview and training on the migration process during the pilot migrations

The client can complete production user migrations on their own pace and scheduled Softchoice resources can return when migrations are completed to assist with final

configuration and decommissioning

Keystone Migration Services

With the commitment of a Keystone Managed Services support contract for Office 365 the Keystone Network Operations center will conduct hybrid mailbox migrations for the client

The client will provide end user support for via their normal processes or if Keystone End User support is included users can call into the Keystone support desk directly

Softchoice Keystone will provide 3rd level escalation support for migration related issues

FastTrack Migration Option

If the client is eligible and wishes to leverage Microsoft FastTack onboarding benefits Softchoice will coordinate with FastTack during the Discovery and Implementation. FastTrack Center can then be leveraged to complete migrations following their scheduling and onboarding process

Post Migration Support & Knowledge Transfer

Following the completion of mailbox migrations Softchoice will assistance with decommissioning and final documentation to complete the migration to Office 365.

Decommissioning of on premise Exchange servers Cutover of MX Records and email delivery to Exchange Online Protection Final knowledge transfer and documentation Project closeout




Project Deliverables

1. Documentation: Requirements and Design Documentation and As Built Configuration

2. Implementation: Configuration of Office 365 tenant in preparation for directory synchronization and Exchange Online

3. Implementation: Configuration of Exchange Hybrid between Exchange 2016 server and Exchange Online

4. Implementation: Configuration of Azure AD Connect to synchronize from one (1) Active Directory Domain to one (1) Office 365 tenant

5. Implementation: Configuration of a highly available ADFS infrastructure 6. Implementation: Configuration of Exchange Online Protection

7. Migration: Pilot and Production User migrations 8. Knowledge Transfer: Dedicated Administrator knowledge transfer and overview of

the solution

Project Estimated Timeline

This indicative Office 365 Migration project would be executed over and approximate 35 day timeline

including the full production migrations. The following project timeline illustrates the proposed

project phases and milestones.

Microsoft Procurement

Softchoice assists with licensing questions, quotes, contracts, purchase orders and fulfillment of Microsoft and other software providers such as Adobe, VMware and more

Microsoft Procurement

Requests for licenses can be handled through person to person contact with your dedicated Account Team, via our online Web Procurement tool or at Softchoice.com. Your contractual pricing for




products is documented and loaded into our procurement systems to ensure the pricing is always accurate and current.

There are two ways to add additional licenses to your Enterprise Agreement.

First, for licenses that were not listed on the initial purchase, you must submit the order within 30 days of deployment of the product ‐ “Add‐on.”

Second, for licenses that were listed on the initial purchase, you can wait until your anniversary date to submit the order ‐ “True‐up.” You have the option of submitting the order before your anniversary date or during the course of each given year.

All purchase orders for both “Add‐on’s” and “True‐ups” can be sent to Softchoice. The billing will be direct from Microsoft just like the initial annual payments.

Softchoice goes further by proactively leveraging our team of experts and specialists to help COE identify and evaluate the best products to solve their business problems. In many cases, cost modelling comparative scenarios are crafted and reviewed along with a detailed inventory of pros and cons associated with each option in the event of any major purchase or change. This ensures the correct products identified and are quoted in a way that delivers the greatest cost advantages to the customer.

Microsoft Distribution Process

Distribution Process

Microsoft licensing, keys, reports, and benefits are available via the Microsoft VLSC website. Softchoice can offer advice in setting up the VLSC website, and ad‐hoc support when in navigating the portal as needed.

Within the first month of the agreement, Softchoice will conduct a one‐hour training session to COE administrators to walk through VLSC portal and review administration processes to ensure COE Benefit Administrators are well positioned to manage their SA Benefits. This includes provision of an online Software Assurance Handbook for each Benefit Administrator and a comprehensive list of standard Microsoft VLSC support resources available to the COE team.

Under this model, Softchoice can also help with reporting in detail on SA Benefit usage, including specific names/dates/courses/purchases for Home Use, Elearning, and Training Vouchers. This reporting will help identify any potential issues such as over consumption of benefits by members.

As a company that believes that the job is not done until COE is happy, we are dedicated to finding solutions to any issue, regardless of its nature, that arises under the contract we are managing.

By proactively managing the agreement and having regular quarterly in person meetings, Softchoice will work with COE to determine the best licensing strategy that ensures compliance but also is the best for budget. Our proactive and consultative management style helps you feel confident that have the right agreement at the right price.




RenewalsCalendar

Softchoice’s ITAM practice also allows us to request licencing entitlement information for vendors you have procured (even if not from Softchoice) and upload all the data into a ‘single pane of glass’ on our Renewals Calendar in your Softchoice.com portal.

This benefits for COE would be:

‐ Easier tracking of Assets ‐ One consolidated view of upcoming renewals ‐ Proactive notifications/quotes from Softchoice on Renewals ‐ Useful tool for budgeting by quarter, month, vendor

Example:




Appendix 1: Pricing




Appendix 2: References




Appendix 3: Microsoft‐Focused Resources

25 ‐ Microsoft Solution and Licensing Specialists 10 – Microsoft Solutions Architects 14 ‐ Software Asset Management Consultants 10 ‐ Contract and Operations Experts 5 – Microsoft Online Portal Administrative Support Managers 4 ‐ Microsoft Marketing & Event Specialists 1 ‐ Software Assurance Benefit Specialist 30 ‐ Project Managers & Solution Engineers 50 ‐ Managed Services Representatives

Appendix 4: Softchoice Ascend




Appendix 5: Softchoice TechCheck

The Softchoice TechCheck is a consultative service that delivers actionable analysis to organizations interested in closing gaps in the management of their desktop and server investments. Use the TechCheck services for valuable views into:

Software Asset Management and licensing gap analysis

Violations of IT policies and standards

Security threats and vulnerabilities

Patch‐management effectiveness

PC lifecycle and support issues

Deployment readiness and migration cost analysis

Software harvesting opportunities

TechCheck delivers clear systems management analysis while respecting your most valuable resource ‐ time. Utilizing a proprietary analysis process our accredited IT Asset Management consultants will give you actionable insights into your IT environment, regardless of what type of inventory tool you may have. To date Softchoice has delivered more SAM consultations funded by Microsoft than any other organization, a testament to our success in fulfilling customer's SAM needs.

TechCheck portfolio provides:

Insight and guidance for maximizing technology investments.

Knowledgeable people with advanced vendor training and extensive industry experience providing actionable direction to achieve business goals.

IT alignment with business outcomes.

Leveraging investments to obtain improved ROI and a review of existing processes, systems and users and recommendations about new procedures or technology deployments.

Softchoice's goal is to provide insights into your IT Asset Management strategy and environment, to help realize clear benefits in terms of:

Lowering IT costs Improving efficiency Reducing risk




Sample Deliverable




Appendix 6: Microsoft Cloud Security

Microsoft Azure and O365 services provide a secure solution (further secured by routing traffic through a private ExpressRoute connection between COE network and Microsoft Azure).

Microsoft Azure and O365 meet all security requirements – compliance documentation can be located on the Microsoft Trust website:

https://www.microsoft.com/en‐us/TrustCenter/Compliance/default.aspx

All solution recommendations do not force a vendor lock‐in scenario, as for Azure backup data and workload hosting – migration of data to another cloud platform is all that is needed. If data is being moved from Azure to another cloud provider – note that there is potential of egress data costs (for outbound data transfer). In the case of backup (Phase 1) ‐ selection of an alternative cloud provided at a future time would only result in deletion of backup data from Azure once a new copy of the backups existing in the alternative cloud.

Appendix 7: Microsoft SLA information

Microsoft SLA provides commitments to achieving minimal uptime of services based on regions, with financial penalties for exceeding downtime.

Detailed SLA terms for North America is provided in the online documentation:

http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/Downloader.aspx?DocumentId=12397

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