Microsoft Taps Pre-Owned Opportunities in Land of Oz Ground-breaking agreement expands offering for booming Kansas-based remanufacturer. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 23, 2010 For additional information contact: Phil Poje Chief Marketing Officer Stallard Technologies, Inc. 913.851.2260 or 1.877.851.2260 phil@stikc.com www.stikc.com

Overland Park, KS– Stallard Technologies, Inc., an enterprise IT equipment refurbishing company based in Overland Park, KS, was recently selected by Microsoft to enter into a ground-breaking MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher) agreement. Stallard Technologies is one of the first-ever server-specific enterprise hardware remanufacturer to be chosen for the MAR program. They will now offer genuine Microsoft software as a feature on their pre-owned IT equipment inventory, which includes Dell servers, workstations and storage solutions.

Microsoft sought out Stallard based on the company’s track record of success in providing top-quality, reliable pre-owned equipment for small-to-Fortune 1000 companies across North America. Their extensive client list includes Xerox, Weyerhaeuser, SureWest, Unisys, NASA, DirecTV, Exxon Mobil, Pizza Hut and Yale University among others. “We are excited about our partnership with Stallard Technologies, one of the country’s premier IT hardware providers. They've demonstrated a commitment to their customers, selling high-quality pre-owned IT servers and storage solutions, and providing tremendous economic value to the business community,” states Microsoft’s Michael Warren, OEM Account Manager.

Launched in 2003, Stallard Technologies has experienced phenomenal growth, sustaining progress with a 10% upswing in sales over 2009 despite the challenging economy. More and more CIOs, CTOs, and IT managers are looking at the viable option of purchasing pre-owned IT equipment for the cost benefits. “We typically save clients from 40% to 60% vs. new equipment while delivering comparable quality, reliability and warranties” states Stallard Technologies, COO, Jeff Palmer. Microsoft’s Robert Bostwick also acknowledges this trend, “Doing more with less has become the battle cry of businesses. As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, Stallard Technologies offers genuine Microsoft licenses at a discount on pre-owned IT equipment.  Reusing top-quality IT equipment has become the ‘buzz’, and by doing so, companies are becoming better stewards of their ecological resources. We recognize that Stallard Technologies is a front runner in this movement.”

Stallard Technologies, Inc. is on the fast track to be a global leader in the pre-owned IT market by pioneering methods that bring extraordinary value and customer care. Stallard purchases and sells new and pre-owned servers, workstations and storage solutions. www.stikc.com

A refurbished Dell IT server purchased from Stallard Technologies, a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR), is a great choice. You get a cost-effective fully configured Dell server preinstalled with genuine Microsoft Windows operating system software. Plus, only properly licensed Windows is supported by Microsoft or an authorized partner.

Only genuine Microsoft Windows software provides the features and functionality you expect. This is important because running counterfeit software may lead to a corrupted system, a loss of data, and even identity theft. Why chance leaving your data vulnerable to malicious and unwanted software when you can help protect your data by making sure only genuine Windows is installed on your computer?

Common Questions:

Q.	What is a Microsoft® Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)?
A.	A MAR is a large equipment refurbisher that is authorized by Microsoft to license genuine Microsoft software on refurbished PCs and servers for the commercial market. MARs must meet eligibility requirements including: supplying large volumes of refurbished PCs and servers, demonstrating technical competence, security and environmental compliance, receiving Microsoft credit approval, and having quality operations, systems, and security measures. A listing of MARs can be found on http://www.microsoft.com/refurbishedpcs/ Programs/MAR.htm.
Q.	What does Microsoft define as a refurbished server?
A.	A refurbished server is a used server that has gone through processes such as data wiping, testing and minor repair that leave the server ready for use by a new owner. Refurbishment is considered to either leave the original motherboard as is, or replace a defective motherboard with one of exactly the same make, model and specification. Otherwise, replacing a motherboard results in a “new” server and not a “refurbished” server.
Q.	What server operating system software is installed on a refurbished server supplied by a MAR?
A.	Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition is available in English, French, and Spanish. Additional languages are planned in the future. For more information on the software features, visit http://www.microsoft.com/ windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/default.mspx.
Q.	Are Windows Server 2003 Client Access Licenses (CALs) also offered?
A.	Yes, Windows Server 2003 CALs are offered in order to enable users and devices to access the Windows Server 2003 software.
Q.	How do I verify the Windows server software is genuine?
A.	Each refurbished server will have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label affixed to the refurbished server chassis in a visible area. This COA will specify the product key and be personalized with the refurbisher’s name that preinstalled the software.
Q.	Does the server software need to be activated?
A.	After purchase, the server software is required to be activated before the 30 day grace period expires. The product key found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label affixed to the server will be needed for activation.
Q.	Is media supplied with the refurbished PC?
A.	Refurbishers are required to supply a Recovery Media pack or a hard disk based recovery image created by the refurbisher with each server. Recovery Media packs include a recovery media hologram CD, and outerwrap in a slim-line DVD case.
Q.	Who provides support?
A.	Web-based support is available from Microsoft free-of-charge. Additional support is available from Microsoft on a fee-per-incident basis only. The refurbisher may also provide support services.
Q.	How is Windows Server 2003 R2 licensed for pre-owned servers?
A.	Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 licensing model consists of a server operating system license and additional Client Access Licenses (CALs). The licensing is designed to allow for complete scalability of cost in relation to usage. In addition, Microsoft offers several flexible, cost-effective options for licensing. Note: that there are a few CAL types available to suit your individual needs.
Q.	Can Windows Server 2003 R2 MAR licenses be added to my current Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement?
A.	No, these MAR licenses cannot be added to a Volume Licensing agreement. For information about Volume Licensing, visit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/how-volume-licensing-works.aspx.
Q.	Can I buy a Refurbished Server and not have the Windows Server operating system preinstalled?
A.	The Windows server operating system does not have to be preinstalled, but the refurbished server COA license label will be affixed to the server case and the media will be delivered in the box.
Q.	What are the Windows Server 2003 R2 licensing requirements?
A.	License requirements are based on the number of instances of server software that you “run” on a server. Each software license specifies the number of instances of software that may be run on a particular server at a time, rather than the number of copies of the software that may be installed and used on that server. Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition allows a customer to run one instance of the software in the physical operating system environment (POSE) or one instance in the virtual operating system environment (VOSE). For further information about software license terms, visit http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/ useterms/default.aspx.
Q.	When is a Windows Client Access Licenses (CAL) required?
A.	Windows CALs are required when a user or device is directly or indirectly accessing a Windows server. Additionally, if the user or device is accessing or using the remote desktop/terminal server (RDS/TS) functionality of Windows Server, a RDS/TS CAL is also required. As an exception to these rules, up to two users or devices may access the server software only for server administration purposes, without requiring either a TS CAL or Windows CAL.
Q.	Can I get Software Assurance for my Windows Server 2003 R2 MAR licenses?
A.	Software Assurance is only available for purchase for the latest version of Windows Server software. To obtain Software Assurance, the latest version of a Windows Server license would need to be purchased under a Volume Licensing agreement or through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/default.aspx.
Q.	What are the Windows Server 2003 R2 MAR downgrade rights?
A.	Microsoft grants the rights to use any prior version of Windows Server 2003 R2 in place of the version specified on the license confirmation or Certificate of Authenticity, regardless of which channel was used to acquire the license. Windows Server 2003 R2 licenses can be downgraded to use or access older versions of the corresponding licenses as outlined below.
Q.	What are the use rights for creating and storing instances?
A.	The use rights for Windows Server 2003 R2 allow you to create and store any number of instances of the software on any of your servers or storage media. This right to store many instances provides additional flexibility and makes it easier for you to run those instances on any of your licensed servers. This is a benefit for virtualization scenarios in particular where you might want to create and store instances of the software in virtual machines but run only a subset of them on a server at any time. Please note that you must properly license each server on which you run these stored instances.
Q.	Why is Windows Server 2008® not available and what is the upgrade path?
A.	Refurbished servers are typically three or four years old and therefore are generally not capable of running the latest virtualization technologies of software such as Windows Server 2008. There is currently no upgrade path from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008. If you would like Windows Server 2008 preinstalled, you will need to purchase the latest version from an OEM.
	Resources
	More information about the MAR program: http://www.microsoft.com/refurbishedpcs Find additional information on product and licensing: Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/default.mspx Windows Server 2003 Licensing http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/default.mspx Learn about Microsoft Volume Licensing http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/