Comparing Licensing Options

To save money one thing that some of customers choose is OEM Software. OEM Software can defiantly save you money over Retail. In some cases OEM Software can be even lower then Open License Software. Each option has its benefits. OEM Software’s biggest benefit is price. The largest drawback to OEM Software is that once installed it is married to the hardware. Meaning if the computer fails the Software dies with it.

Retail software’s biggest benefit is that it is the only software option that includes Microsoft technical support. The biggest drawback to retail software is it is the highest priced of the software purchase options.

The last option is Open License Software. The benefits of Open License are a discounted price and volume media, which allows you to install all of your licenses with one CD and one Product Key. The only drawback is that you are required to purchase at least 5 licenses to start an Open License Agreement.

How to get Office.

Are you waiting to upgrade? It seems that many customers are waiting to make the change to Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista. It seems that everyone wants to make sure that the bugs are out of the software before they begin using it. This is an understandable stance, but some companies are not aware that they can still get the old versions of the software. If you are waiting until you are ready to go to Office 2007 before putting Office on new systems in the office you do have an option. Through Microsoft Open License and Microsoft Open Value you have downgrade rights to use a previous version. Also when you are ready to transition to Office 2007 you are already licensed and only have to install the new software.

If you are under a volume license agreement with software assurance you already have the license for the new version. If you need to add systems you do not need to wait. You can purchase your additional licenses with software assurance and continue to use a prior version with the license. Microsoft downgrade rights make it easy to keep all your network operating on the same software.

Academic Software is Great!

Microsoft has many options for academic software licensing. There is a subscription based agreement called the Campus or School Agreement. There is an open agreement call the Academic Open License Agreement. Also there is a retail option available to students and teachers.

The Campus/School Agreement is a subscription based purchasing plan. At the beginning of the year you pay for your software products for all of the systems in the school. The next year you do it again. This program is great for holding a tight budget because all of the systems are licensed at one time instead of adding licenses though the year.

The Academic Open License Agreement allows for more purchasing flexibility. It requires purchasing at least 5 licenses on your initial order, but once in the agreement additional licenses can be added at any time.

Student and Teacher software is a discounted retail box packages. The software is intended to be for school use by students or teachers. Schools can also purchase Student and Teacher software if they choose not to use a license agreement.

In order to qualify for Academic Licensing a k-12 school must be recognized by the State Department of Education. For a College or University there must be regional accreditation to qualify for the discounts. Students and Teachers are required to provide information to verify their status.

More information on Academic qualification.

An easy license option for schools

The Microsoft School Agreement provides K-12 schools with an alternative to Open Licensing. The School Agreement is a subscription based license agreement that allows schools to pay for their software one year at a time. This creates easy license compliance because all the school’s computers are covered through the term of the subscription. The School Agreement also eliminates the need to keep track of licenses because every product in the subscription is licensed to the entire school. Finally it simplifies budgeting by making 1 payment cover all of your products for 1 year.

Are you still waiting?

Are you waiting to upgrade? It seems that many customers are waiting to make the change to Office 2007 and Windows Vista. It seems that everyone wants to make sure that the bugs are out of the software before they begin using it. This is an understandable stance, but some companies are not aware that they can still get the old versions of the software. If you are waiting until you are ready to go to Office 2007 before putting Office on new systems in your business you do have an option. Through Microsoft Open License and Microsoft Open Value you have downgrade rights to use a previous version. Also when you are ready to transition to Office 2007 you are already licensed and only have to install the new software.

If you are under a volume license agreement with software assurance you already have the license for the new version. If you need to add systems you do not need to wait. You can purchase your additional licenses with software assurance and continue to use a prior version with the license. Microsoft downgrade rights make it easy to keep all your network operating on the same software.

Microsoft Downloads

Some new Microsoft Open License products are available for download. This download option can save the customer some money by eliminating the media kit from the order. Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 are all available for download. In order to get the download you need to sign in to http://eopen.microsoft.com. Then you will need to put in your authorization and license number.  After your license information has been entered you will be able to download the software. On the left side of the page you will see a link for Software Downloads. Click this link and follow the prompts and you will be able to finish your download.

Microsoft Open License

The Microsoft Open License program is designed to provide discounts to volume customers. To enroll in the program it requires a minimum purchase of 5 licenses. It does not matter what the 5 licenses consist of, for instance if you need 1 Windows Server, 1 CAL, 1 Terminal Services CAL, Windows Vista, and Office 2007, you would qualify. Open License also allows you to install multiple licenses with one media kit. For instance if you have 10 machines that need Office 2007, you would be able to use 1 CD for all of your machines instead of trying to keep track of CDs and product keys for each machine.

Microsoft also offers the Open Value licensing program, and the Open Volume licensing program.  These programs offer similar benefits to Open License and provide some other features that may or may not fit your needs. If you have any questions about which program is right for you let me know and I will be happy to go over options with you.

Best VALUE in Licensing!

Microsoft Open Value allows customers to spread their payments over 3 years. Like Microsoft Open License the initial purchase requires at least 5 licenses. For an organization just starting out, or needing a large amount of software being able to spread the payments over 5 years can help offset the financial burden of purchasing additional software.

All Licenses purchased in the Open Value program include Software Assurance. Software Assurance will not only give you upgrades as they are released. Technical Support and Training Vouchers are also included with Software Assurance.

Open Value also offers tools that allow you to easily review your licenses and ensure that all of your systems are licensed properly.

Get the Ultimate!

Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista. It is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For the person who wants one operating system that is great for working from home, working on the road, and for entertainment, Windows Vista Ultimate is the operating system that lets you have it all.

Windows Vista Ultimate is available under open licensing. The upgrade to Vista Ultimate is only available to Software Assurance customers so if you want to ensure that you are able to get Vista Ultimate make sure you add Software Assurance to your OEM licenses within 90 days of purchase, and to your Open License products at the time of purchase.


Also take a moment to check out WasatchWare for Custom Software Development Solutions. More information on WasatchWare is coming soon.

Create compelling charts!

Office Visio Professional 2007 will make it easy for IT and business professionals to visualize, analyze and communicate complex information, systems and processes with clear, compelling diagrams. By using Office Visio 2007, people will be able to easily visualize information from multiple data sources to better understand the current state of systems and processes, analyze information visually to highlight key trends and exceptions, and share diagrams broadly for effective and efficient decision-making.

Visio Professional 2007 makes it easy to create flow charts, and floor plans. Visio can also be used by IT professionals to create network diagrams.  This can save an IT professional time and problems locating specific network components. Visio 2007 is available under the Microsoft Open License program. The Open License program offers discounts for volume purchases.

More information on Visio 2007.