WAL MS Support reality check

It really looks to me like Microsoft is playing semantic games because without the SA it doesn’t look like there really is any support from Microsoft itself unless you pay for it.

You’re absolutely right to feel that way — and you’re not alone in that interpretation.

Microsoft’s “Support” Without SA Is Essentially: • Automatic updates (security, bug fixes) via Windows Update • Access to public documentation and knowledge base articles • Option to pay for support incidents, usually starting around $499 USD per ticket

But there is no direct human support — no phone, no email — unless: 1. You pay per incident, or 2. You have Software Assurance (SA), which pre-pays for support access

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So, is it really “supported” without SA?

Technically yes, because: • Microsoft guarantees security updates for 5 + 5 years (mainstream + extended support) • Bug fixes and features are delivered automatically • You can pay for help if needed

But practically speaking: • There is no personal help included in your license • “Support” becomes a self-service model, unless you buy SA

This can be frustrating because the term “support” implies access to actual support staff — and without SA, that’s not true unless you spend extra.

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Why This Matters

For small businesses or technical teams running on-prem Windows Server without an enterprise agreement: • You may feel you’re buying a fully supported product, but discover there’s no one to call unless you pay more. • This can feel like an upsell disguised as standard policy.

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Bottom Line

You’re absolutely right: Microsoft uses the word “support” in a way that includes updates and fixes, but not actual help unless you’re paying — either per case or via SA.

It’s not dishonest in legal terms, but it is misleading in plain English — and worth calling out, as you’ve done.

May 21, 2025

WAL MS Support

It really looks to me like Microsoft is playing semantic games because without the SA it doesn’t look like there really is any support from Microsoft itself unless you pay for it.

You’re absolutely right to feel that way — and you’re not alone in that interpretation.

Microsoft’s “Support” Without SA Is Essentially: • Automatic updates (security, bug fixes) via Windows Update • Access to public documentation and knowledge base articles • Option to pay for support incidents, usually starting around $499 USD per ticket

But there is no direct human support — no phone, no email — unless: 1. You pay per incident, or 2. You have Software Assurance (SA), which pre-pays for support access

⸻

So, is it really “supported” without SA?

Technically yes, because: • Microsoft guarantees security updates for 5 + 5 years (mainstream + extended support) • Bug fixes and features are delivered automatically • You can pay for help if needed

But practically speaking: • There is no personal help included in your license • “Support” becomes a self-service model, unless you buy SA

This can be frustrating because the term “support” implies access to actual support staff — and without SA, that’s not true unless you spend extra.

⸻

Why This Matters

For small businesses or technical teams running on-prem Windows Server without an enterprise agreement: • You may feel you’re buying a fully supported product, but discover there’s no one to call unless you pay more. • This can feel like an upsell disguised as standard policy.

⸻

Bottom Line

You’re absolutely right: Microsoft uses the word “support” in a way that includes updates and fixes, but not actual help unless you’re paying — either per case or via SA.

It’s not dishonest in legal terms, but it is misleading in plain English — and worth calling out, as you’ve done.

May 21, 2025

WAL Costs

ORIGINAL ESTIMATE
£2,500 New business software
£1,500 New computer system (ONE machine)
————
£4,000 original estimate
————

REVISED
£2,500 New business software
£ 800 additional TM Module (so plus £799)
————-
£3,300 sub total New business software
————-
£ 580 Hardware (692 less vat 576) so plus 80
£1,000 Cals/Server as before
£ 720 Support for three years and updates to 2030, so plus 720
————-
£2,300 sub total New computer system
————-
£5,600
======
The increase of £1,600 is made up of

£ 800 Extra TM module
£ 80 Hardware increase
£ 720 Support costs added
£1,600 Total increases.

So the increase is:
£800 on the new software
£800 on the new computer system

Plus any networking costs which have been needed in any case.
Plus Sage £180 p.c.m.

May 21, 2025

WAL MS Support

🧾 Does Windows Server Standard Edition Come with Support?

✅ Included with Standard Edition (No Software Assurance)

Type	Included?	Notes
Installation media	✅ Yes	ISO file or DVD depending on vendor
Product key	✅ Yes	Retail or OEM activation key
Activation support	✅ Yes	If activation fails, Microsoft may help via phone/chat
Security updates	✅ Yes	Included for the full support lifecycle (Mainstream + Extended)
Technical support	❌ No	Microsoft does not provide free break/fix or configuration help
New version upgrades	❌ No	You do not get 2028 or 2030 upgrades without Software Assurance
Disaster recovery/Hybrid rights	❌ No	Only available with Software Assurance

🧩 To Get Full Support…

You need to either:

Buy the license with Software Assurance (SA)
1. Includes:
- New version rights
- Failover and hybrid rights
- Microsoft support access
Purchase a separate Microsoft support plan
1. Options include:
- Premier Support
- Unified Support
- Pay-per-incident tech support
Use your Microsoft reseller/partner
1. Some resellers offer limited support if you buy through them

✅ Summary Comparison

Edition	Comes with Support?	Upgrade Rights?	Best For
Standard (Retail/OEM)	❌ Basic only (activation/help docs)	❌ No	Small businesses, fixed environments
Standard + SA (Volume)	✅ Yes (limited support + upgrades)	✅ Yes	Hybrid, DR, long-term scale planning

May 21, 2025

WAL Why Proxmox

✅ Proxmox vs Windows Host — Headless Operation & Crash Resilience

Running Proxmox as host (with Windows in a VM) gives major benefits over running Windows directly on the hardware — especially for headless remote access and crash recovery.

🧠 Headless and Remote Access Comparison

Feature	Proxmox (Linux Host)	Windows Bare Metal Host
Headless operation	✅ Full CLI + web GUI over network — no monitor/keyboard needed	❌ Often needs GUI or local access for setup/troubleshooting
Remote recovery after crash	✅ Always accessible via web interface or SSH (unless entire host crashes)	❌ If Windows crashes, you lose all access remotely
VM crash isolation	✅ Only the VM goes down — Proxmox stays stable	❌ Entire system crashes if Windows fails
VM power/reset controls	✅ Can reset or restart a VM even if Windows inside is frozen	❌ Not possible unless you reboot the entire PC
Backup & snapshots	✅ Can snapshot or restore a VM, even headless	❌ Needs full system tools or imaging
Host OS corruption risk	✅ Lower — Linux base is stable and update-resistant	❌ Higher — Windows updates or drivers can break system

🧩 In Practice for a Sage 50 Server

Windows Server runs as a VM on Proxmox
If the Windows VM crashes, you can still:
- Access the Proxmox web GUI via https://your-ip:8006
- SSH into the host
- Reboot, restore, or snapshot the VM
You retain full control of the system without a screen or keyboard

🛠️ Real-World Scenarios

Situation	How Proxmox Helps
Windows update gets stuck	Force reboot the VM from Proxmox web interface
Windows login is broken	Restore a prior VM snapshot in seconds
Power failure	Auto-resume VMs on boot (if enabled)
Need to access files in a broken VM	Mount the VM disk in another VM or recover via CLI

✅ Conclusion

Proxmox gives you true server-grade remote access and VM control, even if your Windows environment fails.
It’s far more resilient and maintainable than running Windows directly on bare metal.

May 21, 2025

WAL

Decision matrix in Markdown format to clearly evaluate the trade-off between the GMKtec K8 Plus and the custom Ryzen 9 9950X server for a Sage 50 Proxmox-based deployment:

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✅ Sage 50 Server Decision Matrix — Compact vs Long-Life Build

Factor	GMKtec K8 Plus (~£730)	Ryzen 9 9950X Custom Build (~£3,800)
Processor	Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, mobile)	Ryzen 9 9950X (16C/32T, desktop)
RAM Capacity	Max 64 GB DDR5 (non-ECC)	Up to 192 GB DDR5 ECC (server-grade)
Storage Expandability	2× NVMe slots	2× NVMe + SATA + PCIe RAID support
Thermal Management	Good, but limited headroom	Excellent, oversized cooler and airflow
Power Supply	External 120W adapter	High-end 850W PSU + UPS for resilience
Networking	Dual 2.5GbE	Dual 10GbE + onboard 2.5GbE
Repairability	Poor — single-board system	Excellent — all components swappable
Form Factor	Ultra compact, silent	Full tower workstation/server
Expected Lifetime	~5–6 years	8–10+ years
Future-Proofing	Low — capped RAM/CPU	High — scalable RAM, PCIe, storage
ECC Memory	❌ Not supported	✅ Fully supported
RAID / ZFS Mirror	❌ Not practical	✅ Fully supported
UPS / Power Redundancy	❌ Optional only	✅ Built-in UPS protection
Cost	✅ Affordable	❌ 5× higher upfront cost

✅ Choose the GMKtec K8 Plus if you:

Need a compact, quiet, energy-efficient server
Will only run 1–2 VMs for the next ~5 years
Can accept limited expandability and moderate long-term risk

✅ Choose the Ryzen 9 9950X build if you:

Want a long-term infrastructure with minimal future replacement
Need more VMs, heavier loads, or rapid growth capacity
Prioritise ECC RAM, RAID/ZFS, UPS, and repairable components

May 21, 2025