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Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi David,

Interesting insights.  My current partner is unwilling to get involved in the license matter, presumably this is the reason that they are not putting their license on the server?  Or my own license.... There are a few code things in there from the old "partner," so to your point, even removing their license puts me out of business until we re-write the new code, though that takes time.  Their lawyer has told ours that they are using the license as leverage on us...How nice.

As for contacting Microsoft, I don't even know where to start to get to someone on this subject, I have only gotten dead-ends.

This will seemingly have to be settled in court.  Which I look forward to.

Thank you, David, this is very unfortunate.

Michael

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:58 AM
From: David Wiser
Subject: License Shenanigans

Michael,

Sorry, you're having to go through this.  A couple of comments:

First, it is stupid for a partner to permanently load their license on your system.  Partners may load their license temporarily when installing updated objects or doing some testing, but should be guarding its use.  Even Microsoft prescribes that.  Also, be aware that partner licenses expire.  So, there will come a time in the near future where that installed license will no longer work.  You should start getting warning messages about 2 weeks in advance whenever you log into the system that the license is set to expire (user licenses do not expire).

Second, there shouldn't be anything to prevent your new partner from installing their license on your system so that they can access the code.  That part of your new partner's comment doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you should be able to contact Microsoft directly to inform them about the previsous partner's activities and get your own license to install in your system.  One thing to be aware of though.  When you do get a user license, be sure to test all your functionality.  If there are add-on products or custom code that is not included in your user license, you will not be able to use that functionality.  Partner licenses are usually set up to run all objects regardless of publisher.

Hope this helps.  Reach out if you have further questions.

------------------------------
David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:11 AM
From: Michael Kotok
Subject: License Shenanigans

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi David,

Interesting insights.  My current partner is unwilling to get involved in the license matter, presumably this is the reason that they are not putting their license on the server?  Or my own license.... There are a few code things in there from the old "partner," so to your point, even removing their license puts me out of business until we re-write the new code, though that takes time.  Their lawyer has told ours that they are using the license as leverage on us...How nice.

As for contacting Microsoft, I don't even know where to start to get to someone on this subject, I have only gotten dead-ends.

This will seemingly have to be settled in court.  Which I look forward to.

Thank you, David, this is very unfortunate.

Michael

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:58 AM
From: David Wiser
Subject: License Shenanigans

Michael,

Sorry, you're having to go through this.  A couple of comments:

First, it is stupid for a partner to permanently load their license on your system.  Partners may load their license temporarily when installing updated objects or doing some testing, but should be guarding its use.  Even Microsoft prescribes that.  Also, be aware that partner licenses expire.  So, there will come a time in the near future where that installed license will no longer work.  You should start getting warning messages about 2 weeks in advance whenever you log into the system that the license is set to expire (user licenses do not expire).

Second, there shouldn't be anything to prevent your new partner from installing their license on your system so that they can access the code.  That part of your new partner's comment doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you should be able to contact Microsoft directly to inform them about the previsous partner's activities and get your own license to install in your system.  One thing to be aware of though.  When you do get a user license, be sure to test all your functionality.  If there are add-on products or custom code that is not included in your user license, you will not be able to use that functionality.  Partner licenses are usually set up to run all objects regardless of publisher.

Hope this helps.  Reach out if you have further questions.

------------------------------
David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:11 AM
From: Michael Kotok
Subject: License Shenanigans

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi David,

Interesting insights.  My current partner is unwilling to get involved in the license matter, presumably this is the reason that they are not putting their license on the server?  Or my own license.... There are a few code things in there from the old "partner," so to your point, even removing their license puts me out of business until we re-write the new code, though that takes time.  Their lawyer has told ours that they are using the license as leverage on us...How nice.

As for contacting Microsoft, I don't even know where to start to get to someone on this subject, I have only gotten dead-ends.

This will seemingly have to be settled in court.  Which I look forward to.

Thank you, David, this is very unfortunate.

Michael

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:58 AM
From: David Wiser
Subject: License Shenanigans

Michael,

Sorry, you're having to go through this.  A couple of comments:

First, it is stupid for a partner to permanently load their license on your system.  Partners may load their license temporarily when installing updated objects or doing some testing, but should be guarding its use.  Even Microsoft prescribes that.  Also, be aware that partner licenses expire.  So, there will come a time in the near future where that installed license will no longer work.  You should start getting warning messages about 2 weeks in advance whenever you log into the system that the license is set to expire (user licenses do not expire).

Second, there shouldn't be anything to prevent your new partner from installing their license on your system so that they can access the code.  That part of your new partner's comment doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you should be able to contact Microsoft directly to inform them about the previsous partner's activities and get your own license to install in your system.  One thing to be aware of though.  When you do get a user license, be sure to test all your functionality.  If there are add-on products or custom code that is not included in your user license, you will not be able to use that functionality.  Partner licenses are usually set up to run all objects regardless of publisher.

Hope this helps.  Reach out if you have further questions.

------------------------------
David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:11 AM
From: Michael Kotok
Subject: License Shenanigans

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi David,

Interesting insights.  My current partner is unwilling to get involved in the license matter, presumably this is the reason that they are not putting their license on the server?  Or my own license.... There are a few code things in there from the old "partner," so to your point, even removing their license puts me out of business until we re-write the new code, though that takes time.  Their lawyer has told ours that they are using the license as leverage on us...How nice.

As for contacting Microsoft, I don't even know where to start to get to someone on this subject, I have only gotten dead-ends.

This will seemingly have to be settled in court.  Which I look forward to.

Thank you, David, this is very unfortunate.

Michael

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:58 AM
From: David Wiser
Subject: License Shenanigans

Michael,

Sorry, you're having to go through this.  A couple of comments:

First, it is stupid for a partner to permanently load their license on your system.  Partners may load their license temporarily when installing updated objects or doing some testing, but should be guarding its use.  Even Microsoft prescribes that.  Also, be aware that partner licenses expire.  So, there will come a time in the near future where that installed license will no longer work.  You should start getting warning messages about 2 weeks in advance whenever you log into the system that the license is set to expire (user licenses do not expire).

Second, there shouldn't be anything to prevent your new partner from installing their license on your system so that they can access the code.  That part of your new partner's comment doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you should be able to contact Microsoft directly to inform them about the previsous partner's activities and get your own license to install in your system.  One thing to be aware of though.  When you do get a user license, be sure to test all your functionality.  If there are add-on products or custom code that is not included in your user license, you will not be able to use that functionality.  Partner licenses are usually set up to run all objects regardless of publisher.

Hope this helps.  Reach out if you have further questions.

------------------------------
David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:11 AM
From: Michael Kotok
Subject: License Shenanigans

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Hi David,

Interesting insights.  My current partner is unwilling to get involved in the license matter, presumably this is the reason that they are not putting their license on the server?  Or my own license.... There are a few code things in there from the old "partner," so to your point, even removing their license puts me out of business until we re-write the new code, though that takes time.  Their lawyer has told ours that they are using the license as leverage on us...How nice.

As for contacting Microsoft, I don't even know where to start to get to someone on this subject, I have only gotten dead-ends.

This will seemingly have to be settled in court.  Which I look forward to.

Thank you, David, this is very unfortunate.

Michael

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:58 AM
From: David Wiser
Subject: License Shenanigans

Michael,

Sorry, you're having to go through this.  A couple of comments:

First, it is stupid for a partner to permanently load their license on your system.  Partners may load their license temporarily when installing updated objects or doing some testing, but should be guarding its use.  Even Microsoft prescribes that.  Also, be aware that partner licenses expire.  So, there will come a time in the near future where that installed license will no longer work.  You should start getting warning messages about 2 weeks in advance whenever you log into the system that the license is set to expire (user licenses do not expire).

Second, there shouldn't be anything to prevent your new partner from installing their license on your system so that they can access the code.  That part of your new partner's comment doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you should be able to contact Microsoft directly to inform them about the previsous partner's activities and get your own license to install in your system.  One thing to be aware of though.  When you do get a user license, be sure to test all your functionality.  If there are add-on products or custom code that is not included in your user license, you will not be able to use that functionality.  Partner licenses are usually set up to run all objects regardless of publisher.

Hope this helps.  Reach out if you have further questions.

------------------------------
David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 11, 2021 11:11 AM
From: Michael Kotok
Subject: License Shenanigans

Hi.

Has anyone experienced this?

So it seems that our "Microsoft Partner" (which is a code-word for "print money at client's expense), installed their developer license on our server for years.  They collected our license payments, but seemingly, never sent that to Microsoft (NAV 2016 and then 2018).

Their work happened to be horrible and they changed personnel often, with us having to retrain their new staff in our business over and over again.

Eventually, we got smart and kicked them to the curb.

The issue that exists, is that their license is still on our server and our new partner is somewhat locked out of what they should be able to do for us.  EVERYONE I talk to about this says that their actions were beyond stupid at the least and purposely misguided at the worst.  But yet, no one with a closer connection to Microsoft, like my new partner, is willing to bring this to Microsoft's attention, seemingly because these "developers" all work together and thus they don't want to be seen as a "rat."  

However, we're stuck, we can't get the modifications we need, the license we own and pay for can not be installed, and everyone is afraid to even help us.

Has anyone had an experience like this?  Did it get resolved?  If so, how?

Michael Kotok

Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo, NY and SLC, Utah

------------------------------
Michael Kotok
President
Arctic Fisheries Ltd.
Buffalo NY
------------------------------