A software license is the legal right to install, use, access, display, run, or otherwise interact with a software program. The license can be Perpetual and Non-Perpetual. Microsoft licenses software in three primary ways
Full Packaged Product (retail).
The shrink-wrapped box of licensed software sold through the distribution channel to resellers, FPP generally contains one licence per box, along with media and documentation and is designed to meet low-volume needs.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Often the easiest and most economical way for customers to receive their Windows PC and server operating systems or software, OEM Licensing is for those selling hardware with preinstalled software.
Volume Licensing.
Serving the needs of organisations that acquire multiple licences, but don’t need multiple copies of media and documentation, Volume Licensing offers easy deployment, varied payment options and other benefits. Full Packaged Product (FPP) OEM Licensing Microsoft Volume.
Volume Licensing for Business
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA)
The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is an extensive volume licensing package designed for organizations with 500* or more users or devices.
*500 minimum user/device requirement is for commercial customers effective July 1, 2016. Does not apply to Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE). The minimum requirement for public sector customers is 250 users/devices. For more information, please see the Enterprise Agreement program guide.
A software license is the legal right to install, use, access, display, run, or otherwise interact with a software program. The license can be Perpetual and Non-Perpetual. Microsoft licenses software in three primary ways:
Full Packaged Product (retail). The shrink-wrapped box of licensed software sold through the distribution channel to resellers, FPP generally contains one licence per box, along with media and documentation and is designed to meet low-volume needs.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Often the easiest and most economical way for customers to receive their Windows PC and server operating systems or software, OEM Licensing is for those selling hardware with preinstalled software.
Volume Licensing. Serving the needs of organisations that acquire multiple licences, but don’t need multiple copies of media and documentation, Volume Licensing offers easy deployment, varied payment options and other benefits. Full Packaged Product (FPP) OEM Licensing Microsoft Volume.
Take advantage of the benefits Open agreements have to offer:
Licensing simplicity. You can place an order and start using licensed products and online services immediately. The flexible pay-as-you-go model helps eliminate the need for forecasting. After you place your order through Open License, you receive an authorization identification number that you can reuse and share with qualified affiliates. Good for the entire two-year agreement, this identification number helps reduce procurement costs and simplifies the purchasing process.
Licensing flexibility. Open Value gives you a single platform option that allows you to choose components from the Windows client, Microsoft Office, and Client Access Licenses (CALs) under a single platform, rather than being required to choose between the Small Business or Desktop Professional platforms. If your organization requires Microsoft’s Enterprise Solutions, Microsoft Office Pro Plus, Enterprise CAL, and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) are now available for Open Value and Open Value Subscription.
Licensing manageability. Online tracking tools make managing licenses easy and convenient. With the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC), you can electronically manage your license orders, review purchase history, find the appropriate product keys for software product installation, track compliance, and receive order confirmations
Enterprise Agreement
The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement offers the best value to organizations with 500* or more users or devices that want a manageable volume licensing program that gives them the flexibility to buy cloud services and software licenses under one agreement.
The Enterprise Agreement is designed for organizations that want to license software and cloud services for a minimum three-year period.
The Enterprise Agreement offers built-in savings ranging from 15 percent to 45 percent. You also have the option to spread your payments by making three annual payments instead of one up-front payment. This helps reduce initial costs and helps you forecast annual software budget requirements up to three years in advance.
The Enterprise Agreement includes a subscription option that lowers initial licensing costs because you subscribe to the rights to use Microsoft products and services instead of owning them. The subscription option also enables you to increase or decrease subscription counts on an annual basis.
Key features of the EA
Broad Coverage:
Licenses are available for a wide range of Microsoft products and services, including Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365.
Volume Discounts:
Beneficial for large-scale operations due to cost savings on bulk licensing.
Flexible Licensing:
Adjust license counts to match business needs, with annual True-Up for assessing changes.
Three-Year Term:
Offers a stable licensing environment over a medium-term period.
Software Assurance Included:
Ensures access to the latest software versions, comprehensive training opportunities, and dedicated support.
This structure is designed to provide balanced flexibility, cost-efficiency, and access to cutting-edge Microsoft technologies, making it suitable for large organizations seeking a comprehensive licensing solution.
Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement (EAS) The EAS is a subscription-based alternative to the EA, ideal for organizations needing flexible licensing.
needing flexible licensing.
Key aspects include:
- Subscription Model: Microsoft’s product suite licenses are subscribed to, not purchased, for 1-3 years.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Particularly beneficial for organizations with varying staff numbers.
- Annual Adjustment: Allows increasing or decreasing subscription counts each year.
- Greater Flexibility: EAS permits loweringlicense counts during the agreement term, unlike EA.
Difference between EA and EAS The primary distinctions are:
- License Ownership: EA provides license ownership after a three-year term, enabling indefinite software use. EAS requires ongoing subscription renewal.
- Flexibility in Licensing: Both allow adding licenses; however, EAS uniquely offers the ability to reduce licenses during the term, enhancing adaptability to changing organizational needs.
Microsoft EA Renewal Check-List
- Review Current Agreement: Look at the details of your current Microsoft agreement and ensure you understand all the terms and costs.
- Evaluate Usage:Monitor and review your actual usage of Microsoft products. This includes software and cloud services. Make sure you’re using all the licenses you’ve paid for.
- Identify Needs:Determine your future needs. Will you need more licenses or fewer? Are there additional products or services you’ll want to include?
- Assess Compliance:Ensure that you comply with your current licensing agreement. This includes the number of licenses, their use, and optimizing your EA.
- Benchmark Costs:Compare your current agreement costs to market averages. Are you paying more or less than similar organizations?
- Understand Changes in Microsoft’s Offerings:Microsoft regularly updates its software offerings and licensing models. Make sure you’re aware of any changes that could impact your renewal.
- Consider Alternatives:Look into alternative licensing agreements, like an Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EAS) or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), to see if they might fit your organization better.
- Negotiate:Once you understand your needs and options, negotiate your renewal agreement with Microsoft. Engaging a licensing expert or consultant to assist with this process might be beneficial.
- Plan for the Future:Think about your organization’s future needs. You might want to include options for adding licenses or services in the future.
- Documentation:Make sure all agreements and changes are documented. This is important for future reference and for maintaining compliance.
Volume Licensing for Academic Organizations
- Academic. Acquire licenses and cloud services from your choice of authorized resellers through an easy, one-time transaction. Software Assurance is optional.
- Open Value Subscription for Education Solutions. Offers low up-front costs and provides access to Microsoft software licenses and cloud services for the term of the agreement through subscription-based licensing.
- Microsoft Cloud Agreement for Academic. Acquire cloud services with help from a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider through a pay-as-you-go model. A Cloud Solution Provider can help you determine the best cloud solution and will support you from purchasing to deployment and use.
For midsize to large academic organizations
- Enrollment for Education Solutions. Standardize technology across your organization with the latest Microsoft products and cloud services. Provides simplified license management with a single agreement, predictable software and services costs, and spread payments. Software Assurance is included.
- Select Plus for Academic. You can use Select Plus to acquire Microsoft software licenses at any affiliate or department level, while realizing advantages as one organization. Select Plus offers the flexibility to acquire licenses as needed, a single agreement with no specific end date, and a single Lead Affiliate customer ID to streamline account management. Software Assurance is optional.
- Microsoft Cloud Agreement for Academic. Acquire cloud services with help from a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider through a pay-as-you-go model. A Cloud Solution Provider can help you determine the best cloud solution and will support you from purchasing to deployment and use.
What is the Microsoft CSP program?
CSP stands for Cloud Solution Provider and the CSP program enables partners, like ITQAN UAE, to provide Microsoft’s cloud solutions to its customers. The CSP model is designed for the partner to add value to its customers’ cloud experience via support, billing flexibility and advice. With this program, a customer effectively has a buy, or pay, as you go consumption arrangement via the partner, rather than directly with Microsoft.
CSP Key Customer Benefits
Flexibility
Monthly billing
Each month you will receive a bill for the O365 licenses you are using and /or the Azure consumption you have used. No need to use your credit card anymore. If you do want annual billing, then please speak to us.
Local support
As a CSP provider we would be the point of contact and receive your support calls in relation to the service. We would look to triage these calls and pass onto Microsoft if required. As your CSP partner we are the point of contact in case of a problem (technical and billing & subscription support).
Licensing support
You can have one partner looking after all your Microsoft cloud licenses and drawing on their expertise and skills to enable you to maximise the benefits of your investment.
No upfront billing
There are no upfront licensing costs unlike EA and Open.
Discounts
Pursuing the CSP route opens up opportunities to gain discounts from RRP. A big win against pay as you go. Remember CSP partners need to take on a level of support, billing and license / subscription management duties. Potential discounts from RRP are dependent on the wrap around services you are procuring from us.
Strong SLAs
By procuring through a Microsoft CSP, you will be gaining access to Microsoft’s strong service level agreement which defines the crucial aspects of the service like responsibility, quality and availability between the service provider and the customer.