UCSS and ESW and SMARTnet Services Contracts

UCSS and ESW and SMARTnet Services Contracts

SMARTnet – purchased on hardware e.g. MCS servers or IOS gateways

Essential Software support  (ESW) – is SMARTnet equivalent for software.  It gets you TAC support, minor bug updates, collateral and software advisor and case collection. ESW does not provide major upgrades. Available in 1yr, 3yr and 5yr.  In the old days this was the “SAS” part of “SASU”. It is strongly recommended that ESW contract term matches UCSS contract term.

Unified Communications Software Subscription (UCSS) – Used to access major software upgrades for UC customers.  Covers most on premise UC products today such as CUCM, CUP, Unity Connection etc. Usually purchased in 1yr (Government customers only), 3yr, or 5yr terms  With Cisco Workspace Licensing (CUWL) UCSS is mandatory.  In the old days this use to be referred to as the “U” in “SASU”.  Generally is the most cost effective way to acquire the upgrades as opposed to paying for the major upgrade when you come round to doing so.  A major software version is moving from CUCM 7.1 to say 8.X it is a major upgrade and only accessible if you have a  UCSS.  UCSS is not software! Nor is it the upgrade – it is the right to upgrade. It’s a Product Authorisation Key (PAK) code delivered physically (a piece of paper) or electronically (an email).