Our #WeToo moments with Microsoft

Well, the title of this post would upset few, shake many, and empathize most of my Entrepreneur friends, My recent observations about interactions between so-called representatives of Microsoft (sellers) and Indian SMEs (buyers) are eye opening. They demonstrate disappointing state of business practices. They also reveal complete loss of Mircosoft’s control on its so-called representatives and process adherence.
My dear reader, if you have experienced this, please reply to my twitter with #WeToo. https://twitter.com/VishalShah_Twit/status/1137526994105655296

I have chosen the three words “Harassment”, “Manipulation” and “Bullying” to describe the sales cycle adopted by Microsoft’s so-called representatives. I strongly believe that it is creating potential liabilities for Microsoft too. I am writing the subsequent section with full awareness about state of piracy amongst Indian SMEs.

Harassment

It is OK if an authorized representative of Microsoft, contacts SME owner to propose SAM audit to assist on software compliance. But it is an utter harassment if 3-4-5 different agencies contact SME owner with different proposals of SAM audits. Many of my SME friends have gone through this disturbing experience. KPMG, Delloite, HCL, lawyer firms, PWC, and Microsoft dealers keep calling SMEs with different tones and languages. This is not enough. They demonstrate disastrous state of internal coordination. Without any internal coordination amongst them, they one by one ask for (read demand or order) the same computer / software usage details from SME. They don’t care if SME owner has diligently submitted all details to one of them. In most cases, even SAM audit is also completed.
How to yell “shut up”, My SME friends will have to learn.
How is this a potential liability for Microsoft? Surprisingly, all these so-called authorized agencies have access to past details of SAM audit, computer, software usage of SME, which is to be kept confidential, by binding as well as by common sense. How can Microsoft share past details (highly confidential and sensitive) to non-Microsoft employed persons without consent of SME? Check these links
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/3-arrested-for-extorting-microsoft-customers/articleshow/69049700.cms

Manipulation

These so-called Microsoft authorized representatives tend to disqualify their own claims. I have observed 3 types of serious manipulations.
A. Based on computer / software details submitted by SME, they send BoM (Bill of Material) to indicate the gap and fulfill the gap. I have seen that after SME procures all items suggested in BoM, in few days, another so-called representative will call and deny the validity of that BoM. He will claim that the earlier BoM was erroneous and useless, and force SME to buy higher versions of the product. They don’t care about previous BoM which was submitted by the MS authorized representative.

B. When these so-called representatives explain difference between OEM and paper licenses, they explain that paper licenses are hardware-independent unlike OEM licenses which are bound with hardware. They will push SMEs to buy paper licenses. After few months, another agency will contact SME and force another SAM audit. If they find new hardware loaded with paper license key, they will manipulate the fact and explain nod-lock policy of MS. They will say that paper licenses cannot be installed on new hardware. This sounds disgusting to SMEs, when they cold-bloodedly say that they don’t care what the other consultant (authorized by MS) said.

C. Most of the branded hardware manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, Dell, Wipro sell PCs and laptops preloaded with windows 10 single language or home edition. They sell this hardware to enterprises also. When these so-called representatives find such OS preloaded hardware, they tell that it is not allowed to be used for business purpose, you must buy professional OS. This is gross manipulation and kind of cheating. Even they deny to sell single language windows 10 for peer to peer network or stand alone PCs or laptops. You know, professional OS is more than 3 times the cost of single language. Also, Microsoft has already removed domain control option from home edition. I question, what they are worried about? How to yell “WTF”, My SME friends will have to learn.

How is this a potential liability for Microsoft?

Manipulation and concealing of the facts are serious offenses committed by these so-called representatives of Microsoft. Denial of sales of a product  with a motive to force buyer to buy 3 times expensive product is example of monopolistic and restrictive trade practice. Even, they communicate with the email ids under Microsoft domain, which will not let Microsoft decline its involvement or liability. 

Bullying

Many a times, these representatives walk into SME’s premise without appointment and intimation. They become aggressive and try to encroach inside without any authority letters, search warrants or even identity cards. Microsoft may not know, but they say that they are from Microsoft. They even carry their pen drives with some exe files and pressurize SMEs to run those exe files on their computers without any non-disclosure agreement, privacy assurance, IP protection guarantee. They even do not care about explaining after effects of injecting such software. I know few SMEs who had to do it under pressure and the pen drive was carrying ransom-ware which encrypted all files in network. It was a huge loss.
Check this link

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/3-arrested-for-extorting-microsoft-customers/articleshow/69049700.cms
These persons even threaten SMEs of criminal proceedings, confiscation of assets and huge penalty. I am sure they are neither empowered, nor authorized to do so. They even reveal that since they have visited, they are expecting some revenue. They even promise to relieve pressure if some business if given to them. They start negotiating, and even say, OK can you buy some software for a couple of lakhs? And not to specify, it’s another agency’s turn after few months…

How to yell “Get Lost”, My SME friends will have to learn.
How is this potential liability for Microsoft?
Many of these so-called representative talk tall. They claim that their all computer activities are monitored by Microsoft and they precisely know their software usage. This happens only in India. I urge Microsoft to curb such tall talks in its own interest.
Check these links

YouTube Video Links Can Microsoft representatives barge into your office to check for illegal software?
Part 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ve3DAikrBA
Part 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pmburf70PY

I am against piracy. But harassing, manipulating and bullying gullible people is not at all the way out. Please comment #WeToo on  https://twitter.com/VishalShah_Twit/status/1137526994105655296

Our innovation BLACKbox gives self-esteem to SMEs. It legitimately saves 70 percent of MS licensing cost for SMEs having 5 to 500 computers without compromising enterprise level use of IT. Many of our customers have gone through successful SAM audits by Microsoft and validated 70 percent savings in licensing cost.
Best Regards,

Vishal Shah
Founder and CEO,
Synersoft Technologies Pvt Ltd