SPLA Program Offerings
The Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) program now offers two ways to license the Microsoft products you need for hosting software services and applications to your customers: SPLA and SPLA Essentials.
SPLA Essentials is a new offering targeted at small to mid-market hosters and Web developers. It offers a simplified agreement that provides the core rights you need for your hosting business and a streamlined online sign-up experience getting you to market faster.
SPLA is the premium offering for service providers and independent software vendors that offers the advanced license rights you need to offer highly-customized and robust solutions to a wider set of customers.
The SPLA offerings are the only Microsoft licensing program that gives you the rights to license specific Microsoft software for hosting to your customers.
The following benefits are available through both SPLA and SPLA Essentials:
Deliver a customized service.
Flexibility to deliver tailored IT services to your customers through a dedicated or shared hosting environment. Increase the value of your services by managing software use rights for your customers.
Pay as you go with no up-front costs.
Pay only for the products that you authorized your customers to use the previous month. There are no start-up costs, monthly sales requirements, or long-term commitments.
Access the most current product versions.
Give your customers the most current and capable Microsoft platform. Download your products at no charge through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) instead of ordering physical media.
Try before you buy.
Test and evaluate products internally before offering them to your customers as a service.
See additional benefits for SPLA
Outsource data center services.
Install Microsoft products on servers under the day-to-day management and control of an outsourcing company. That company can then perform data center administration, testing, and maintenance support services on your behalf.
Install at customer facilities.
Install Microsoft products on devices you own or lease and that are located on your customer’s premises.
Offer demonstrations and evaluations.
You can have up to 50 active user IDs for service/product demos, and provide your customers a free 60-day trial period.
Receive great price savings.
With the Extended Term License, you can license select products for three years at a 12 percent savings—with no minimum purchase.
Include your affiliates.
Include affiliates under a single agreement.
Expand your reach to academic institutions.
Expand your business with specific price offerings available to your academic end customers through SPLA.
See additional benefits for SPLA Essentials
Accelerate time to market.
Click to accept the simple terms and conditions and electronically sign the agreement on the SPLA Essentials Web site.
Single online resource.
Direct partners can enroll, place monthly orders, and manage their account all in one place.
Choose how you partner.
You have the option to partner with Microsoft directly or through a SPLA reseller.
Licenses under the SPLA are non-perpetual (or subscription) licenses that can be used during the term of the agreement. There are two licensing models available for offering Microsoft licensed products to customers:
Per Subscriber:
A Subscriber Access License (SAL) is required for each unique individual user or device that is authorized to access or otherwise use the licensed products. With the SAL option, a separate Server License is not needed.
Per Processor:
Each Processor License allows an unlimited number of users to access the software that is installed on that processor for products licensed through a per processor model.
Learn more about Service Provider Use Rights
Build a Customized Service Provider Use Rights Document
Your organization must meet the following requirements to participate in the SPLA program:
Enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program.
You must be either a Microsoft Certified Partner or a Registered Member of the Microsoft Partner Program. If you are a Registered Member, you must also enroll in the Microsoft Hosting Community. Get more information about the Microsoft Partner Program.
Sign a Microsoft Business and Services Agreement (MBSA). (Not applicable to SPLA Essentials.)
Services providers that have an existing MBSA/Master Business Agreement via another Volume Licensing agreement (Enterprise Agreement, Enterprise Subscription Agreement, Select Plus, Select License, or ISV Royalty) should work with their Microsoft account manager and/or reseller to provide their MBSA/Master Business Agreement number and link the MBSA/Master Business Agreement to their SPLA.
Services providers without an existing MBSA/Master Business Agreement will be required to sign one the next time they sign an SPLA.
Designate a SPLA reseller (indirect agreements only).
Unless you have a direct agreement with Microsoft, work with an SPLA reseller to complete the Services Provider License Agreement and MBSA (if a new MBSA is necessary) or SPLA Essentials Agreement. The reseller will:
Collect your monthly use or zero use reports and submit them to Microsoft.
Collect payment for the licenses used during the previous month.
Assist you on all aspects of the SPLA program.
Select a SPLA reseller.
See a list of SPLA resellers.
Additional Requirements
To participate in SPLA program, you also must:
Provide monthly reporting on and payment for software licenses.
Services providers must submit a monthly use report or zero use report on all licenses that they have authorized their customers to use the previous month. For SPLA, affiliates or software services resellers must also be included in their report.
Provide technical support.
Services providers are responsible for providing technical product support for the Microsoft licensed products they deliver to their customers.
For a complete list of requirements, download the SPLA Program Guide.
