“Customers have few kind words for Microsoft’s Software Assurance, and even fewer good choices for upgrades.

In early 2001, Microsoft announced Software Assurance. Four years later, you can still hear the howls of angry customers.

Software Assurance replaces the old Upgrade Advantage, a maintenance program that was designed to keep updated products in users’ hands—a predecessor of sorts to the Software Assurance (SA) program. Critics believe SA was largely designed to please Microsoft accountants and Wall Street, because each subscription guarantees Redmond three years of consistent revenue. It has created a furor among users because of its costs and delayed releases of product upgrades, yet it can and does make sense for some organizations.”

Full article: SA Exposed