Microsoft KB Archive/216068

= BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5 Version Upgrade Fulfillment Plan =

Article ID: 216068

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
 * Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0a
 * Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5

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This article was previously published under Q216068



SUMMARY
All Small Business Server (SBS) 4.0 and 4.0a customers are eligible to upgrade to SBS 4.5, free of charge. This offer is available through fulfillment only. Proof of Purchase and Shipping and Handling are required. This SKU delivers the latest product and technology updates.



MORE INFORMATION
This SKU will not be stocked at distributors or at retail. The only means by which a customer can obtain this SKU is to send in Proof of Purchase plus Shipping and Handling to the fulfillment facility in his or her region.

All customers licensed for Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server version 4.0 are eligible to place an order for a free upgrade to SBS version 4.5 effective immediately (shipping and handling charges will apply). To place an order for a free upgrade, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://order4.microsoft.upgrade.com/scripts/startsbs45.asp


 * NOTE: Some Rest of World (ROW) customers will be directed to their subsidiaries for fulfillment. It may take 6-8 weeks in some countries for customers to receive the product. Countries that can not charge Shipping and Handling, or that do not have a fulfillment mechanism in place, will be identified and procedures will be established by regional owners on a one-off basis.

Customers must provide the following information, proof of purchase, and shipping and handling for each unit requested. Regional owners may choose to create a Web form including the following information that customers can print, fill out, and mail in with proofs of purchase.

Customer information includes:


 * Full name
 * Company name if applicable
 * Title (VAR, technology provider, ISP, Business Owner)
 * Home or business mailing address (no P.O. Boxes)
 * Phone number
 * Number of Version Upgrade SKUs requested

Proof of Purchase required:

An original or photocopy of dated sales receipt. The number of units purchased must be clear for those requests of more than one version upgrade. And one of the following must be included:
 * SBS 4.0 manual cover
 * SBS 4.0 Retail box top with SKU number visible
 * SBS 4.0 Frontliner

Customer Incentives:

This is the only upgrade path from SBS 4.0 to SBS 4.5. It also allows customers to receive the latest server product updates and technology available today.

Program Longevity:

This program is scheduled to continue for 6 months past the release of SBS 4.5 in each region. Some SBS 4.0 customers may not be aware that this Version Upgrade is the only upgrade path to SBS 4.5. If SBS 4.0 customers purchase an SBS 4.5 Version Upgrade, they will find that they must first install the 4.5 VUP. This is why the offer is being extending past the SBS 4.5 RTM and why communication of the customer incentives is very important. (It is possible that the offer will be prolonged based on demand.)

Qualifying Products:


 * SBS 4.0 5 cal FPP
 * SBS 4.0 25 cal FPP
 * SBS 4.0 5 cal C/PUP
 * SBS 4.0 5 cal AE
 * SBS 4.0 25 cal AE
 * SBE 4.0/Office Pro 97 5 cal FPP
 * SBE 4.0/Office Pro 97 5 cal C/PUP (NA only)

NOTE: There is no SBS/Office Pro Bundle VUP for 4.5. SBS 4.0 customer upgrades are for Server only. Upgrades to Office 2000 Pro should be done through OPEN licensing or a separate purchase of Office 2000 retail.

NOTE: This upgrade does not work if you use the Not For Resale version of SBS or SBS on an Alpha computer.

Microsoft recommends that before you upgrade, you back up the existing SBS server, including the registry. Microsoft also recommends that you create an Emergency Repair Disk before you upgrade.

To install the SBS 4.5 Version Upgrade, you must have either SBS 4.0 or 4.0a installed on your computer.

For more information about ordering the SBS 4.5 Upgrade, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/SBSERVER/techinfo/deployment/40/upgrade.asp

Additional query words: smallbiz vup upgrade sbs45 sbstop sbsupgrade

Keywords: kbinfo KB216068

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