FAQ: Office Forms Server 2007 Discontinuation
Internal and External
March, 2009
Internal FAQ
Q: What changes to Office Forms Server 2007 has Microsoft announced?
A: Microsoft is discontinuing the sale of Microsoft Office Forms Server 2007 (Forms Server 2007), Forms Server 2007 Client Access Licenses (CALs) and Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites.
Q: How can customers continue to get access to e-forms capabilities?
A: The functionality of Office Forms Server 2007 has been and will continue to be included in Office SharePoint Server 2007, licensed via the Office SharePoint Server 2007 Enterprise CAL (or Office SharePoint Server for Internet Sites if licensing external-facing applications). Forms capabilities will continue to be offered in future versions of SharePoint.
Q: Why are we choosing April 1st to make this change?
A: We decided it would be better for customers to have our major SKU re-alignment announcements (regarding Forms Server 2007, SharePoint Designer 2007 and PerformancePoint Server 2007) happen at the same time.
Q: Will customers with Enterprise Agreements (“EAs”) be allowed to true-up for additional Forms servers and CALs during the terms of their EAs?
A: Yes. Customers with true-up rights to Forms Servers/CALs will be able to purchase true-up licenses for the duration of their agreements. However, Forms Server/CAL SKUs will not be available for purchase on future agreements. Beyond the duration of their current agreements (including renewal agreements), customers will need to purchase the necessary SharePoint Servers/CALs to license e-forms technology.
Q: What should I tell my customers to do?
A: Customers will no longer be able to purchase licenses for Forms Server 2007, Forms CALs, or Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites (except for customers eligible for true-ups as part of their Enterprise Agreements). They should consider Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 or Microsoft Office SharePoint Server for Internet Sites if they are looking to implement forms-based applications for their organization.
Q: What will be the transition plan for customers with active Software Assurance (“SA”) on Forms Server 2007, Forms Server 2007 CALs or Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites?
A: The following table is a summary of the transition plan for Forms Server customers with SA active on April 1st, 2009:
|
Forms Server Product |
SA Entitlement |
|
Office Forms Server 2007 with active SA |
Office SharePoint Server 2007 |
|
Office Forms Server 2007 CAL with active SA |
Office SharePoint Server 2007 Standard CAL and Office SharePoint Server 2007 Enterprise CAL |
|
Office Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites with active SA |
Office SharePoint Server 2007 for Internet Sites |
Q: When do qualifying customers need to have purchased Forms Server to be eligible for SA license migrations?
A: Customers need to have purchased Forms Server with SA prior to April 1st, 2009 to be eligible for the transitions as described above.
Q: What about customers who purchased Forms Server/CAL licenses without Microsoft Software Assurance (“SA”)?
A: Customers without SA can continue to use Forms Server 2007 just as they do today. Microsoft will continue to offer support and updates for Forms Server 2007, including Service Packs, bug fixes and per-incident support.
Customers wishing to add additional licenses should purchase server licenses or CALs for Office SharePoint Server 2007 (i.e., Office SharePoint Server with Standard and Enterprise CALs or Office SharePoint Server for Internet Sites).
Q: How will the discontinuation of Forms Server impact support for existing customers?
A: Microsoft is committed to providing support for Office Forms Server customers according to the terms of our support lifecycle. For Forms Server, the specifics can be found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=11846
Additional information about support for Service Pack 1 for Office Servers can be found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&p1=12811&x=0&y=0
Q: Will there be any change to support policies?
A: No. Microsoft will not change support policies for existing customers as a result of this announcement.
Q: Will existing customers be able to download Forms Server if required to reinstall?
A: Yes. Forms Server will be available through the Volume Licensing Servicing Center (VLSC) under Office SharePoint Server. If physical media is required, customers can contact their regional operating centers for media fulfillment.
External FAQ
Q: What changes to Office Forms Server 2007 has Microsoft announced?
A: Microsoft is discontinuing the sale of Microsoft Office Forms Server 2007 (Forms Server 2007), Forms Server 2007 Client Access Licenses (CALs) and Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites. The functionality of Office Forms Server 2007 has been and will continue to be included in Office SharePoint Server 2007.
Q: How can customers continue to get access to e-forms capabilities?
A: The functionality of Office Forms Server 2007 has been and will continue to be included in Office SharePoint Server 2007, licensed via the Office SharePoint Server 2007 Enterprise CAL (or Office SharePoint Server for Internet Sites if licensing external-facing applications). Forms capabilities will continue to be offered in future versions of SharePoint.
Q: I am an existing Forms Server customer. What should I do?
A: You do not need to take any action. You can continue to realize the value of your investment in Office Forms Server as Microsoft is committed to providing support per the terms of our product support policies. You will be no longer be able to purchase additional licenses of Office Forms Server 2007, Office Forms Server 2007 CALs, or Office Forms Server 2007 for Internet Sites (except for customers eligible for true-ups as part of their Enterprise Agreements).
Microsoft offers e-forms capabilities through InfoPath, SharePoint Server 2007, or SharePoint 2007 for Internet Sites.
Q: Will there be any change to support policies?
A: No. Microsoft will not change support policies for Forms server as a result of this announcement. Additional details may be found here.