Microsoft Consultants
If you need support with urgent tech issues, account set-up, transitioning on or off-network, or your Simplicity email account, please reach out to our Operations team at: ac@simplicityci.com.
Microsoft TechLink
If on project at Microsoft with V- account, Microsoft TechLink can support with software and network connectivity issues.
Some examples include: network connectivity, account, alias, software. For hardware support with your Simplicity Consulting loaner laptop, please contact ISOutsource at support@isoutsource.com.
If you are unsure who to contact for Technical Support, please review our Tech Chart for directions.
Techlink phone number: 425-706-5000 If on campus: EXT 65000
Alternative phone number: 866-539-4191
Support Ticket: https://microsoft.sharepoint.com/sites/itweb
Password Reset: https://sspm.microsoft.com/ (Once per 24 hrs)
Microsoft Credential Process
- Approved Purchase Order and Cleared Background Check
- Note: Background checks are valid only if completed within the last 30 days or if on project with a Microsoft v- account within the last 30 days
- Simplicity sends all necessary information to the client for Employee Central submission
- Microsoft’s System will send the following action items to the personal email (We recommend checking Spam and Junk folders for these emails)
- Resource Access Agreement (RAA) form
- Supplier Code of Conduct (SCOC) training
- Consultant completes the RAA and SCOC required for Microsoft account setup
- Accounts team activates email/network access and badge access (only if requested by the client) within 72 hours of estimated start date (or eligible date if returning from 6-month break)
- Microsoft sponsor/manager will receive the login credentials in their email and forward them over
- Temporary passwords are time sensitive and will need to be changed here: https://aka.ms/iamnew
- If the temporary password has expired, Microsoft managers have the capability to reset it in the Employee Central dashboard
- ISOutsource (Simplicity’s IT provider) can proceed with configuring the laptop to the Microsoft network. You can reach out by emailing support@isoutsource.com or filling out the email template here
Click HERE for a detailed overview of the Microsoft V- account setup process.
Untethered Program at Microsoft
Simplicity Consulting offers an option for consultants to work “untethered” without a Microsoft v-dash account during the six-month break from access. The Microsoft Global Procurement Team has stated that “if the work does not require access to the Microsoft Corporate Network (CorpNet) or buildings, the vendor employee is not precluded from working in support of the supplier engagement at Microsoft.” Instead of using a v-dash, you will be set up with a Simplicity Consulting O365 account including @simplicityci.com email address. Simplicity Consulting is federated with Microsoft, so you can still communicate via Microsoft Teams and SharePoint sites when access is approved by the client.
Please note: we have now adjusted our imaging process with Microsoft’s network to be done completely remote via ISOutsource. Consultants no longer need to go into Techlink to image their computers. All imaging support will be coordinated internally with our Simplicity Operations team and our IT team, ISOutsource. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to ac@simplicityci.com.
Simplicity Account
Simplicity will provide a Federated Office 365 account to give you access to Outlook, SharePoint, and other Office 365 applications. Below are instructions to help you migrate files, emails, outlook contacts, from a Microsoft V- account to your Simplicity account. Please know while working untethered you will not have visibility to Microsoft calendars unless the user grants access.
If at any time you will be working outside of the country, please email ac@simplicityci.com ahead of time to avoid service disruption.
Microsoft Guest Account
The Microsoft Guest Account is created on the Microsoft side by the manager or a designated admin. This is done by adding the Simplicity account to Teams. Once this is complete, the manager can send a SharePoint invite to the Microsoft Guest Account.
Should any issues with a Microsoft Guest Account occur, a Microsoft user (V- or FTE (Full Time Employee)) will need to submit a Tech Support ticket to help trouble shoot.
Microsoft Beeline
Some Microsoft projects are managed by the Contractor Services Program (CSP). This program utilizes Microsoft’s online vendor management tool, Beeline. Beeline is a tool that requires consultants to enter their hours into a timesheet and submit expenses if pre-approved by the client.
You are required to enter hours into a timesheet each Friday by 5 pm. You will log into Beeline, enter your actual hours worked for the week, and hit save (not submit). Then, on the last working day of the month, you will submit your entire completed timesheet.
Do not enter hours for holidays or time off. The time you enter Beeline is separate from how you are paid as an employee of Simplicity. As an employee of Simplicity, you are salaried/exempt (not hourly) and paid as outlined on your Simplicity SOW (Statement of Work). This includes paid holidays and PTO upon reaching eligibility. Deliverables should be met weekly at the scope outlined in your Simplicity SOW. If the scope of work changes and you begin working more or fewer hours consistently, please notify Simplicity.
If you have any questions about submitting your hours, please reach out to hr@simplicityci.com
Monthly Timesheet Submission Process
Accessing Beeline:
To login into Beeline, go to: https://prod.beeline.com/microsoft.
Login with a Microsoft V- account:
You should be automatically signed in. If not, you may need to click on SSO Login.
Login while Untethered:
You will receive a password reset email from Beeline to your personal email(this email will be your user name). If you have not received your login yet, please email ac@simplicityci.com.
MSFT Fiscal Year Kickoff
Recording: FY23 Kickoff Call for MSFT Consultants
Presentation Deck: Microsoft FY23 Kickoff Call for Simplicity Consultants
FAQ’s
Can I ride the Connector to Microsoft Campus?
No, unfortunately contractors are unable to ride the Connector even if they have a badge.
How do I sign into my Simplicity account?
If you have not connected with IT, please sign in to office.com. Try an incognito window if you are still running into challenges.
How long do I need to be off Microsoft’s network?
Microsoft’s standard policy is to be off network for 6 months.
If you have a V- account under a standard contractor agreement, you are allowed 18 months on Microsoft network before you are required to take the 6-month break. If your project ends and you start a new project with a new v- in less than 6 months, your termination date will remain the same. The 18-month clock does NOT pause even when you are off assignment. The clock only resets if you complete a 6-month break.
A 6-month break is also required when leaving an Outsourced agreement or full-time employment. A V- account with Outsourced status does not have a termination date on access until the assignment ends (does not renew). Then the worker must complete a 6-month break before getting another v- account under a standard contractor agreement.
What if I am untethered and my Microsoft Guest account is having issues?
Make sure your Microsoft manager or a designated admin has added your Simplicity account to Teams, SharePoint, ADO, etc. Sometimes removing and reading the profile will resolve any concerns.
If the issue persists, please have someone with network access submit a ticket to Techlink on your behalf (this can be an FTE or V-, they will not assist anyone directly who is off network). Microsoft Tech Support can delete the profile from the Azure directory, and then add it back on the backend to resolve the issue.