Simplicity and Manageability
With a customizable platform and volume discounts for minimal up-front purchases, Open programs provide a simple, cost effective way to acquire the latest Microsoft technology:
Open Value
Optimal for organizations that want to standardize their IT infrastructure, customize their platform, and maximize their investment with Software Assurance. You can also upgrade at any time—no need to track versions or open new agreements. Recommended for small and midsize organizations.
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With the single platform option, your organization can choose components from the Windows client, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and Client Access Licenses (CALs) rather than having to choose between the Small Business or Desktop Professional platforms.
You can also take advantage of the latest Microsoft midsize IT solutions with Windows Essential Business Server. If your organization requires Microsoft enterprise solutions, Microsoft Office Enterprise, Enterprise CAL, and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack are now available.
Open Value Subscription
Get the benefits of Open Value with lower up-front costs and the ability to increase or decrease license count on an annual basis to accommodate changes in desktop PC count. Recommended for small and midsize organizations.
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This program provides access to Microsoft software licenses for the term of the agreement through subscription-based licensing.
Open License
Entry-level program that allows you to start using software immediately and pay as you go. Recommended for small organizations.
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Your organization and qualified affiliates use a single identification number during the entire two-year agreement. And the pay-as-you-go model eliminates the need to forecast license purchases over the term of the agreement.
Eligibility
With an initial purchase of five or more licenses, you can acquire products as you need them over the term of your agreement.
In addition to commercial business, Microsoft offers Open programs for the following industries:
Learn more about Volume Licensing programs for industries.
Review the following feature comparison to help you determine which Microsoft Volume Licensing program is right for your organization.
Open License Comparison TableBenefits | Open License
| Open Value
| Open Value Subscription
|
|---|
Minimum Number of Desktop PCs | any | | | |
|---|
5+ | | | |
250+ | | | |
Licensing Offerings Available | License | License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases. | | |
|---|
License & Software Assurance | License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases. | License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals. | License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals. |
Software Assurance | License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance for renewals or eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases. | License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals. | License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals. |
OEM | License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance for renewals or eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases. | | |
FPP | License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance for renewals or eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases. | | |
Pricing | Based on Product Pools | Open Volume option incorporates product pools and points to establish the entry minimum for discount price levels. An additional price point is offered to commercial organizations that purchase 500 points or more in a single product pool. | | |
|---|
Based on Employees | | | |
Based on Desktop PCs | Open License: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.** | Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders. | Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders. |
Based on License & Software Assurance | Open Business: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.** | Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders. | Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders. |
Agreement Term | No Expiration | | | |
|---|
1 Year | | | Government only one year option. |
2 Years | Two years, not renewable. | | |
3 Years | | Three years, renewable. | Three years, renewable. |
Payment Options | Up-front | | Annual payments or up-front. | Annual payments or up-front. |
|---|
Monthly | | | |
Annually | | Annual payments or up-front. | Annual payments or up-front. |
How to Buy | Direct | | | |
|---|
Indirect | A broad reseller channel. | A broad reseller channel. | A broad reseller channel. |
Product Fulfillment | Acquired Separately | Media must be acquired separately, from Microsoft Worldwide Fulfillment. | | |
|---|
Provided | | One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost. | One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost. |
Software Assurance | Option to Add | Option to add Software Assurance at the time of acquiring the license. | | |
|---|
Included | | Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement. | Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement. |
Online Services | Offered | | Online Services*** offered. | Online Services*** offered. |
|---|
* Open Value for Government not available in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada,
and Denmark.
** Level D pricing is available to entities that meet the threshold for the discount.
*** Online Services refer to applications hosted at Microsoft Data Centers whose client bits may or may not be installed locally. They are priced monthly and billed annually for the term of the agreement. For example, Office Live Meeting or Exchange Hosted Services.
To buy or renew Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, contact your Microsoft partner or local reseller. Make sure to ask your partner or local reseller to review program agreement terms and conditions, pricing, and payment terms during the ordering process.
United States and Canada
For more information about Microsoft Volume Licensing, or to order or renew software licenses, contact your preferred Microsoft Reseller.
In the United States, call (800) 426-9400, or find an authorized reseller.
In Canada, call the Microsoft Resource Centre at (877) 568-2495.
Worldwide
For information about Volume Licensing offerings available in your area, find the Microsoft Volume Licensing Web site for your country/region.
Find resources to help you deploy and manage the assets associated with your Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement.
Microsoft eOpen
For Open License customers only, Microsoft eOpen enables you to review your purchase history, license agreement, and Product Use Rights as well as access Volume License Keys to install your software.
Volume Licensing Service Center
For Open Value and Open Value Subscription customers, use the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) to download licensed products, access product keys, and manage your Volume Licensing agreements and license acquisition activity—all in one online location.
Software Assurance Benefits
Activating your organization's Software Assurance benefits is easy. Most benefits can be activated and accessed through the VLSC. The Software Assurance Web site provides everything you need to know.
