| Microsoft Volume Licensing for Small-to-Medium and Enterprise |
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Microsoft Licensing Programs Overview
Choosing the correct software license can be confusing. Selecting the license program that's ideal for your company's usage patterns not only means you're compliant, but can also save your company time and money.
Microsoft's License & Software Assurance Program is a flexible approach to volume licensing that's designed to meet your company's needs based on the volume you want to purchase and the level of commitment you want to make.
Whether you are a regular Microsoft customer or new to volume licensing, this guide will help you identify the ways the new programs will benefit you and your organization.
There are three basic steps required to purchase a software license after you have determined which software program(s) you need:
 Determine the license you need.
Decide the best purchase or leasing option
Contact Computer World to purchase the software you need. |
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| Determine The License You Need |
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Element of a Software Product License
A software product license can be broken into three main elements: product pool, product, and edition. For example, the product pool for Microsoft® Office XP Professional falls under "applications." |
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Product Pool: Microsoft software programs fall under one of the following three product pools: |
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Applications
Microsoft application software programs are used to perform functions such as word processing and spreadsheet and presentation creation. Examples of Microsoft applications include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visio®, and Microsoft Project. Developer tools and utilities, such as Microsoft Visual Studio® are also part of the Microsoft applications pool. |
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Systems
Microsoft desktop operating system software programs such as Microsoft Windows® XP Professional operating system control a computer and make it possible for users to enter and run applications. |
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Servers
Microsoft server software programs provide a variety of functions such as database storage, e-mail, messaging, and event monitoring for workers who are part of a larger network or business unit who need to share information. Examples of servers include Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005, and Windows 2003 Server. |
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Product: The software itself, example, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, Windows 2003, or SQL Server |
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Edition: Specifies the features included in a product |
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Volume Licensing Options for Organizations
You may enjoy significant savings by acquiring multiple product licenses. Depending on the size and type of your organization, you have the following volume licensing options: |
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Open License
Designed for organizations purchasing as few as five licenses |
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Select License
Designed for organizations that have 250 or more desktops and are able to forecast software acquisitions over a three-year period. |
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Enterprise Agreement
The best choice for organizations that have 250 or more desktops and that are looking to standardize their enterprise on Microsoft Platform Enterprise Products (Office Professional, Windows Professional upgrade and Core Client Access License) at discounted prices based on a three-year agreement term. |
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Enterprise Subscription Agreement
The program for corporate customers with 250 or more desktops who prefer to lease—rather than purchase—Microsoft software licenses. Enterprise Subscription Agreement 6.0 allows your organization to standardize on Microsoft Platform Enterprise Products at discounted prices based on a three-year agreement term. |
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Academic Volume Licensing
If your organization is an academic institution, you may qualify for one of the Microsoft academic licensing programs. |
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