Software Assurance
SQL Server Deployment Planning Services (SSDPS)
Streamline deployment with SQL Server Deployment Planning Services (SSDPS)—custom
deployment plans to help you launch, expand, or upgrade your SQL Server hybrid cloud solutions.
Available SSDPS engagements
1. Data Estate Modernization
Help modernize customers’ data estate by upgrading their on-premises data platforms from legacy SQL Server to
the latest version of SQL Server. Support your customers in evaluating their current data infrastructure to
determine best options to modernize their data estate; driving cost savings and increased productivity.
Engagement length options
5, 10, or 15 days
Eligibility requirements
• Compliance training: at least one active consultant from your company must have completed the
online Planning Services Compliance Training Course on Partner University.
• Company competency requirement(s): company must have attained a Gold competency in Data
Analytics or Data Platform.
• Consultant competency requirement: delivering consultant must have successfully completed one or
more of the technical assessments or exams required for the engagement's qualifying competency.
Engagement activities
Review the required activities and deliverables for this engagement.
Objective
Help customers plan for a successful upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server to achieve modernization
of their data estate.
Outcome
The customer will have an assessment report, architecture design, deployment plan, and POC to help plan
a successful SQL Server upgrade.
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Required activities and customer planning deliverable guidance
Planning Services engagement outcome
The outcome of any engagement should always produce a customer planning deliverable (vision and scope plan or
findings and recommendations document) that prescribes a deployment, upgrade, or migration project as the next step.
This proposal should focus primarily on the logistics for how to deploy and less on why.
Required deliverables
Each Planning Services engagement has two deliverables required for payment:
1) The customer planning deliverable
2) A submitted Planning Services Online Completion Report (OCR)
Customer planning deliverable Online Completion Report (OCR)
Provide to the customer x
Submit to Microsoft x x
The customer planning deliverable document should be provided to your customer. Additionally, it should be submitted
to Microsoft, via the OCR, as proof of execution for the Planning Services engagement. Fully completed, the customer
planning deliverable document should include detailed information about all required activities conducted (based on
engagement length). Required activities for each engagement length are displayed in the below table. Include the plan
you created and delivered to the customer based on their objectives and the overall assessment. You may adjust the
outline to meet the customer’s needs. The vision and recommended actionable next steps for deployment—including the
actual deployment plan—must be provided. Engagements are available in 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15 days. The longer engagements
allow for a deeper look at a specific technology and provide more in-depth analysis and deployment planning.
Summary of required activities based on length of engagement
Below is a list of activities to be performed during the Planning Services engagement. The engagement length determines
which activities are required. For example, a 3-day engagement must include the following activities: assessment report,
envisioning workshop, design considerations, and upgrade/migration plan. Required activities descriptions can be found
below.
Required activities 1-Day 3-Day 5-Day 10-Day 15-Day
Assessment report x x x x x
Envisioning workshop x x x x x
Design considerations x x x x x
Deliver upgrade/migration plan x x x x x
Proof of concept (POC) x x x
POC findings report x x x
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Required activities descriptions
• Assessment report
The assessment report is mainly focused on giving an overview of the engagement planning capabilities,
understanding the environment, and developing a problem statement that can be addressed. Please include the
following:
1) Customer information
2) Participant record
3) Customer business goals
4) Problem statements
• Envisioning workshop
The envisioning workshop will facilitate both business and technology discussions covering methodology,
processes, and an overview of the engagement. The desired outcome is an implementation plan covering:
1) Customer's prioritized business objectives
2) Desired capabilities
3) Estimated timelines
4) Required efforts
• Design considerations
At the end of the engagement, you should be able to provide the following information—tailored to your
customer’s environment:
1) Conceptual design (Provide any Visio graphs, architectural designs, etc. prepared for the engagement)
2) Logical and physical architecture drawings
• Plan and recommendations
Based on the findings during this session, provide details of the deployment plan you are recommending your
customer. Please include:
1) Findings
2) Vision and scope
3) Milestones
4) Deliverable and execution timeline
• Proof of concept (POC) findings report
If you delivered a proof of concept (POC), please include the following details:
1) Describe the specific scenario addressed
2) Detail the time to build out POC environment
3) Define the size and scale of the POC
4) Outline detailed findings and insights
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Learn more
Customers
• Software Assurance benefits administrators can visit the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center or
Microsoft Business Center (MPSA customers) to identify current Software Assurance benefits.
• Review Microsoft Product Terms for information on eligibility criteria and current benefit program rules.
• Learn more about Planning Services and other Software Assurance benefits.
• Review the VLSC Software Assurance guide for step-by-step instructions to use Planning Services days.
• Search partner listings to find a qualified solution provider or check with their Microsoft representative.
Partners
• Review Planning Services workflow, policies, and FAQ documentation.
© 2020 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft provides this material solely for informational purposes. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.
Eligibility for Software Assurance benefits varies by offering and region and is subject to change. Customers should refer to the Terms and Conditions of their Volume License Agreement for
a full understanding of their rights and obligations under Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. (Publication 1218)
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