Suppose you're in a mad dash to finish up some work on Microsoft Windows Servers and realize you need additional resources from the MSDN site to complete the work. You don''t have an MSDN account, and the person who does have the account is somewhere between here and not-here. So, you bite the bullet and sign up for MSDN at the lowest level that meets your needs, assuming you'll be able to complete the transaction online.

You'll be unfortunately enlightened as to the inability of Microsoft's systems to do real-time or even near-real-time updates. Apparently it takes 24-72 hours for MSFT's online fullfilment system to talk to the entitlement system to authorize you to access MSDN.

So, you'd be hosed, as I am right now.