I know that this question could go anywhere, but since my specific situation involves Office365, I figured this was the right board to put it in for now.
So, Microsoft has this incredible offering - Exchange, Lync, Sharepoint, full desktop versions of MS Office Pro Plus, etc for just $20 per user account. Awesome! Then, to make things even better Microsoft hooks you up with a local MS Partner to assist with your migration planning - Fantastic! I couldn't be happier until my "telecommunications rep" finds out that I'm chatting it up with a local VAR. Drama ensues as I my rep scrambles to provide a competitive quote...
Here is where I become confused - how do you provide a competitive quote for a flat-rate service that Microsoft price fixes? Migration planning costs? No, planning is provided as a free consulting value-add from Microsoft through their assigned rep (in this case the local VAR). Maybe in the post migration services? I'm not planning on having a continuing relationship with the VAR post migration, so no big deal.
Am I wrong for preferring to have a "third-party" come in to help with the transition and then going away to let me do my own thing? How should I go about telling my over-enthusiastic "telecommunications rep" that I'm not interested in the value-adds that she can provide? Or am I entirely off-base here - should I slow down a bit further and just let the re-branded Ma-Bell take over as my primary resource for IT related services?
Hit me with your thoughts.