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| Microsoft offers four primary ways for small and midsize organizations to license software: |
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- Open Value license
Open Value lets you pay a predictable annual fee for three years to license all the desktops across your company (minimum five desktops) and upgrade them at any time, to maintain a standard desktop. Open Value provides small and midsize organizations with simpler license tracking and the ability to control their costs and upgrade cycles. Click here to know more about open value licensing option.
- Open License
Open License is a two-year agreement that enables you to save on estimated retail prices by placing an initial order for five or more licenses or one server license. Customers can combine any set of Microsoft software to qualify for the five license minimum. Click here to know more about Open License.
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- Original Equipment Manufacturer software license
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) software licenses are acquired when you buy a computer with software legally preinstalled. If you have ever purchased a computer from the store with Microsoft Windows; or Microsoft Office installed, you have acquired a license for OEM software. OEM licenses may be used only on the computer that the software was preinstalled on.
- Full Packaged Product license
Full Packaged Product (FPP) is boxed, shrink-wrapped software. Licenses for this type of software are acquired through retail outlets. FPP is for consumers who are looking to acquire a small number of software licenses quickly and is ideal for home users. When upgrading to a new computer, you may transfer FPP licenses to new hardware no more than one time.
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Benefits of Volume licensing
If you are planning on buying multiple licenses, volume licensing may be the most cost effective way to purchase software for your business.
Volume licensing has a number of benefits:
More flexibility – allows you to choose from different payment schemes, from installments to buying your software outright.
Easier management – manage your licenses from one easy online location.
Lower costs – enjoy various levels of discount.
Support, training and tools – gain access to Software Assurance, our software maintenance program. This entitles you to extra support, training and other benefits.
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Choosing a Licensing Program
Use the following table to help identify the licensing program that best meets the needs of your organization.
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| | Open Value Three-year agreement with upgrades
| Open Business Two-year agreement without upgrades
| Preinstalled on new computers | Boxed software,acquired through retail | | Do you have fewer than five computers? | No | No | Yes | Yes | | Do you upgrade software only when purchasing new computers? | No | No | Yes | No | | Do you need to create standard images to configure new computers? | Yes | Yes | No | No | | Do you need to simplify license tracking? Do you have many Open agreements and find it difficult to track what you own? | Yes | Yes | No | No | | Do you want to standardize your desktop software? | Yes | No | No | No | | Do you prefer to upgrade to the latest Microsoft software? | Yes | No | No | No | | Do you need to minimize up-front costs by spreading payments over three years? | Yes | No | No | No |
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