Microsoft TAP scheme dead in the water?

System builders misinformed over severity of restrictions Microsoft is introducing to its subsidised schools PC scheme

Contrary to the report we published on Tuesday, it appears that Microsoft has put the scuppers on its subsidised schools PC scheme, the Technology Access Programme (TAP).

Based on information from a blog by Stone Computers and what we were told by two other system builders involved in the scheme, we reported that restrictions Microsoft introduced to TAP last Friday would affect only a small percentage of schools customers – that is, those without a volume licensing agreement.

But it now appears that UK system builders were given premature and incorrect information by Microsoft.

Stone Group has since edited the blog it published on Friday to reflect this, while VeryPC – another UK system builder on the scheme – also broke the bad news to its schools customers yesterday that they will now have to pay more for their PCs, laptops and tablets.

It was originally thought that machines featuring the standard edition of Windows 8.1 bought through TAP would be unaffected by the restrictions. This would have allowed schools to buy machines with the standard edition (for which system builders were paying just $1) and then upgrade them to Pro using their volume licence agreement.

But this proved wide of the mark.

Writing on the EduGeek forum yesterday, VeryPC confirmed that TAP is now only good for Windows 8.1 Pro laptops and 2-in-1 devices up to certain specs, and even in this case schools will be forced to pay more than previously.

Here are the specs (courtesy of VeryPC):

Notebooks
Screen sized ≤14.1in
RAM ≤4GB
Storage ≤64GB SSD or eMMC or
≤500 GB HDD
Processor (Guideline -TBC) Atom, Pentium

2-in-1
Screen size ≤12.5in
Storage ≤64GB SSD or eMMC or
≤500 GB HDD
Processor (Guideline -TBC) Atom, Pentium, Core-M

VeryPC wrote: "Assuming the above device conditions, the Windows 8.1 Pro National Academic licence will cost a bit more than previously. We're not allowed to talk about specific pricing, but let's describe it as a 'small' fraction (as opposed to 'tiny') of the usual price."

News of the sweeping changes sparked immediate expressions of disappointment from schools customers.

"OMG this is awful news and just before I start getting quotes for replacement desktop. How can Microsoft spring this on everyone it's going to ramp up the cost of any desktop by £50+ pounds," said one EduGeek visitor.

Another commentor on the site, adde: "This has completely messed my budget up. I had enough money left to tech refresh based on the old pricing and now I have to add £50 per unit. MS should have given fair warning."

However, Shaune Parsons, managing director of VAR Computerworld Wales, said he was grateful that TAP – in its current form – had lasted for more than a year.

"It's been a brilliant programme," he said. "We have worked well with the manufacturers and Microsoft and I didn't expect it to last as long as it has done, and we are grateful it has. However, the cost of the product from the manufacturer is now increasing."

Microsoft has issued us with no information, other than to say: "Microsoft continues to serve teachers and students all over the world with great products and services. Details of our arrangements with partners are not publicly disclosed. We continue to offer a broad array of discounted products and services for education customers that include Windows, Office365, developer tools and more. We recommend customers connect with their Microsoft representatives for more information."