Volume Licensing

Volume Licensing

Microsoft Volume Licensing helps organizations accelerate the adoption and use of Microsoft technologies by granting company-wide access to Microsoft software. Microsoft Learning Solutions Volume Licensing differs slightly, granting organizations access to training courses and materials rather than software. Learn more—and see how your organization can realize significant benefits from Microsoft Learning Solutions.

Overview

Discover industry-proven training for Volume Licensing customers

Microsoft Learning Solutions help businesses accelerate the adoption and use of Microsoft technologies by providing enterprise-ready, direct-from-the-source learning content that is first-to-market for major software releases. Available in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, these training solutions help decrease deployment time and downtime, increase staff productivity and retention, and ultimately reduce the total cost of using Microsoft software throughout the organization.

Microsoft Learning Solutions include:

Courses are categorized by audience—IT professional, developer, and information worker—enabling you to meet employees' individual needs and skill levels, and help them earn Microsoft Certifications.

Gain more control over training—while saving money

By consolidating the purchasing, budgeting, and tracking of Microsoft Learning Solutions with other Microsoft technology purchases through Volume Licensing, your organization can benefit from an average of 20 to 80 percent cost savings (depending on the product and Volume Licensing contract level).

At the same time, your organization benefits from increased control over the training and certification of employees. Volume Licensing allows IT managers to view reports on assessments, courses, and logon activities easily through the Microsoft Learning Business Administration Center (BAC). This allows managers to monitor employees' progress, regardless of their location.

Sign up today!

It is easy to add Microsoft Learning Solutions to Enterprise and Select Volume Licensing Agreements. Microsoft understands the volume licensing needs of purchasing and IT departments. We have tailored our offerings to help organizations of all sizes and kinds—including commercial, governmental, and educational—purchase and manage Microsoft software more efficiently.

Products

Microsoft Learning Solutions provide a wealth of learning and certification products to help organizations maximize the skills of their employees and improve the efficiency of their operations. A Volume Licensing Agreement enables you to take advantage of these products, which include Microsoft E-Learning, Microsoft E-Reference Libraries, and Microsoft Certification exam vouchers.

Microsoft E-Learning

Microsoft E-Learning is self-paced, interactive online training that is developed by Microsoft experts. The online format makes it possible for employees to access training from any location with an Internet connection. Other benefits of e-learning include:

Lower training costs

  • Eliminates the time and expense associated with off-site training.

Employee preparation for deployment of new products

  • Enables employees to learn how to use new software before it is deployed, resulting in fewer support calls and increased productivity.

  • Courses include Microsoft virtual labs, which provide first-hand technology deployment experience and training for IT professionals on installation, organizing content, managing user permissions, and creating Web parts for custom tasks.

Flexible, convenient learning format

  • Interactive learning experience is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Employees can take the courses when and where it is convenient for them.

Availability in multiple languages

  • Courses are also available in English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Czech, French, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Knowledge of software from the source

  • IT professionals and developers can choose from more than 1,400 hours of training on the latest products.

  • Home and office users can choose from more than 200 hours of training on the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications.

Microsoft E-Reference Libraries

Microsoft E-Reference Libraries provide customers with access to authoritative and comprehensive reference and how-to content on Microsoft products and related technologies. These online libraries consist of collections of Microsoft Press e-books from leading technology experts.

Hosted online for convenient access via any Internet connection, Microsoft E-Reference Libraries offer timely, relevant technology content in an easy-to-use format. A powerful search engine and intuitive navigation enable fast and easy access to critical information and increased productivity.

These libraries provide an efficient and cost-effective supplement to print libraries and other non-portable reference solutions, and an excellent post-course reference supplement to classroom training and e-learning courses. E-Reference Libraries deliver significant cost savings and a learning solution to meet the demands of today's marketplace.

Microsoft Certification exam vouchers

Your entire organization benefits when you invest in employee performance and improvement. A study published in the Harvard Business Review* demonstrates that Microsoft certified staff helped their organizations:

Increase overall productivity

  • Companies that adopted active learning policies showed a 28 percent increase in productivity.

Improve project delivery and deployment

  • IT organizations with at least 25 percent Microsoft certified staff had a 15 percent increase in projects deployed on time and within budget.

Decrease dependence on external support

  • Organizations decreased spending on ad hoc external IT support by 17 percent

Reduce unscheduled downtime

  • Downtime frequency decreased by 18 percent.

Certified professionals enhance your organization's competitive advantage and help increase customer satisfaction, reduce network downtime, and push service to a higher level, providing an excellent return on investment. Microsoft Certification exam vouchers are a cost-effective way to certify your staff because they can be purchased at a discount.

* Nolan and McFarlan, Harvard Business Review, August 2003

Resources

Additional Volume Licensing e-learning resources

The following resources help you deploy, configure, and administer your Volume Licensing training benefits. These comprehensive, task-oriented guides help benefits managers and employees by providing information on required tasks and guidance on the optimal way to complete them.

Administrator Guide to Online Use

This quick and easy to understand activation guide helps ensure successful consumption of your Software Assurance e-learning benefit. You can watch the demonstration video or follow the clear and concise written steps through the process.

End User/Student Guide to Online Use

The Volume Licensing Student Guide to online consumption is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the process a student must follow in order to use their Volume Licensing e-learning benefit. The images next to each step help ensure a successful experience for the student. This written guide is a perfect complement to the Demonstration Guide to Online Consumption.

Business Administration Center Guide to Online Use

If you are using your Volume Licensing e-learning benefit via the online option, then multiple reporting metrics are available to help you track student consumption. This easy to understand guide shows you how to use the Business Administration Center (BAC) reporting tool. Combining Microsoft Learning Solutions in your company's overall technology purchase can help reduce costs and track skills growth.

Business Administration Center Reporting FAQ

The Business Administration Center FAQ helps answer any questions you may have about the various reporting options available to Volume Licensing e-learning customers.

Volume Licensing Benefits Manager Guide

The Volume Licensing Benefit Manager Guide is a comprehensive step-by-step guide covering the process that is required to administer the training within an organization. The images next to each step help ensure a successful experience for the administrator.

E-Learning Course List

Find descriptions of Microsoft Learning courses, including the course prerequisites and availability.

E-Learning Activation Demo

This demo will walk the student on how to set their individual E-learning account in a quick 1-2-3 step

E-Learning Demo

E-Learning is a simple and effective way to learn at one's own pace, on one's own schedule. This demo shows how Microsoft Learning online training courses can be tailored to students at any level within your organization or enterprise.

E-Reference Libraries

Microsoft E-Reference Libraries provide an authoritative reference and extensive how-to content on Microsoft products and related technologies. These libraries consist of collections of Microsoft Press e-books from leading technology experts, and industry-standard book series.

Frequently Asked Questions

On This Page

Microsoft Learning Solutions

 

View all answers

Q.  What is Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

Microsoft Learning Solutions is a Volume Licensing program offering that includes:

  • Microsoft E-Learning

  • Microsoft E-Reference Libraries

  • Microsoft Certification exam vouchers

Microsoft Learning Solutions is a comprehensive set of high quality, flexible learning resources that is offered as a fully hosted learning experience. It enables Enterprise Agreement and Select customers to pre-purchase Microsoft Certification exam vouchers at a discount.

Learn more:

Q.  Why was the Microsoft Learning Solutions program developed?

A.

The Microsoft Learning Solutions program was developed to meet the growing demand for training and certification in the marketplace. Customers told us they needed an easily managed, hosted service that provided timely updates. We added Microsoft Learning Solutions to Volume Licensing to provide Select and Enterprise License customers additional, more flexible, easy-to-obtain options to facilitate successful product deployment and adoption, and maximize return on investment.

Q.  What products are supported by Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

Microsoft Learning Solutions support some of the most popular Microsoft technologies, including:

  • Microsoft Expression Studio

  • Microsoft Office

  • Microsoft System Center

  • Microsoft Visual Studio

  • Windows

  • Windows Server

  • Windows Mobile

Q.  In what regions can I purchase learning products via my Volume Licensing agreement?

A.

Microsoft Learning products, such as e-learning courses and E-Reference Libraries are available within Volume Licensing in the following regions:

  • North America

  • Europe, Middle East, and Africa

  • Asia Pacific

  • Latin America

If you have questions about pricing, licensing, and accelerated discounting:

Q.  How can I learn about Microsoft Learning Solutions pricing?

A.

To inquire about pricing:

Microsoft E-Learning

 

View all answers

Q.  How does Microsoft categorize its e-learning courses?

A.

E-Learning is arranged by library, technical collection, and course, as follows.

  • Technical Library: Your organization can purchase subscriptions that provide one user access to the library of IT professional and developer e-learning course collections during the contract period.

  • Desktop Library: Your organization can purchase subscriptions that provide one user access to the entire Desktop and Business Skills library of e-learning courses during the contract period.

  • Technical Collection: This consists of a recommended grouping of courses that comprise a curriculum—for example, "Core Training for Microsoft Office Word 2007." Your organization can purchase individual collections and receive one access code during each month of the contract period. Each code provides access to one IT professional or developer e-learning course collection for one year from the date that the code is activated.

  • Course: An individual course can be taken either as a standalone subject or as part of a collection (such as "Getting Started with Microsoft Office Word 2007").

Q.  How long does it take to complete a typical e-learning course?

A.

Applications and systems courses take the typical user approximately one hour to complete. Server courses take approximately two hours.

Q.  Is Microsoft E-Learning available in languages other than English?

A.

Courses are available in up to 15 other languages. These include Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Q.  Are all courses available in all languages?

A.

No, courses are only available in the languages mentioned in the previous answer. To determine which courses are available in a particular language, visit the Learning Catalog. In the upper left of the page, select your desired language from the drop-down list under Available catalogs.

Q.  Are there search capabilities within the Microsoft Learning Catalog?

A.

Online users can search the Learning Catalog by keyword, topic, technology, language, collection, or audience.

Q.  Can Microsoft E-Learning help me achieve Microsoft Certification?

A.

Yes. Many Microsoft E-Learning courses map directly to the skills required for specific Microsoft Certifications.

Microsoft E-Reference Libraries

 

View all answers

Q.  May I print, copy, and/or share Microsoft E-Reference Library books?

A.

No. Printing, copying, and sharing of Microsoft E-Reference Library materials is prohibited.

Microsoft Certification exam vouchers

 

View all answers

Q.  How many exam vouchers should I order?

A.

Microsoft Learning Solutions provides a cost-effective way to certify your staff. Companies that adopt active learning policies can order Microsoft Certification exam vouchers based on their organizational needs. The minimum number of vouchers allowed per order is equal to the number of months remaining on your license agreement. For example, if there are 12 months left on your agreement, you must purchase at least 12 vouchers.

To determine how many vouchers you will need, first determine:

  • The number of people in your organization who need to be certified

  • Which certifications each person needs

  • The number of exams required for each certification

  • The amount of time each person requires to achieve certification

  • The number of months remaining on your license agreement

When you estimate how much time each person needs to achieve certification, remember that it is important for people to gain hands-on experience with Microsoft products. We recommend six months or more of preparation for basic certifications and one year for advanced certifications.

Q.  How can I learn more about certification?

A.

Information about Microsoft Certifications is available online at:

Product access and usage

 

View all answers

Q.  If I acquire Microsoft Learning Solutions, how do I access the content?

A.

Users access content for Microsoft Learning Solutions (including Microsoft E-Learning, Microsoft E-Reference Libraries, and Microsoft Certification exam vouchers) by using access codes. You receive your access codes electronically at the start of your Volume License agreement term. You can activate the codes anytime during the agreement term.

If you acquire your access codes during an existing agreement, the cost and benefits are pro-rated, based on the remaining time on the agreement.

For technical e-learning course collections, each access code unlocks any one of the technical e-learning courses that are available through the Microsoft E-Learning course catalogs. After the course has been unlocked, the user has access to that course for 12 months.

For Microsoft E-Learning and Microsoft E-Reference Libraries, each access code unlocks one library. One license is required for each user that accesses a given library. After the library has been unlocked, the user has access until the end of their Volume License agreement.

Q.  If I do not use all the codes acquired during my agreement, will I receive a refund for the unused codes?

A.

No. All unused codes expire at the end of the agreement. You will not receive a refund for unused codes.

Q.  If an employee resigns, can their access code for Microsoft E-Reference Libraries or Microsoft E-Learning be assigned to another employee?

A.

No. Access codes for Volume Licensing Online Services (including Microsoft Learning Solutions) are assigned to individuals and are non-transferable.

Q.  How long will it take to receive access codes after being invoiced?

A.

Microsoft will send access codes to the Volume License Online Service Administrator listed in Microsoft Volume Licensing Services (MVLS) within five business days from the date the Large Account Reseller (LAR) order is invoiced.

Q.  How long does it take to receive access codes after I have placed an order?

A.

The order will be acknowledged within 48 hours of being processed by Microsoft. Customers will receive access codes within 5 to 10 business days after the Large Account Reseller order is invoiced by Microsoft.

Q.  What reporting and tracking features for administrators are included with Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

The Business Administration Center (BAC) allows administrators to monitor employees' progress easily through e-learning reports covering assessment, course, and logon activity.

Q.  Will Microsoft E-Learning Library (MELL) continue to exist? Can I still obtain MELL?

A.

No. MELL was discontinued, effective July 1, 2006.

Microsoft Learning Solutions vs. Software Assurance

 

View all answers

Q.  My company already has a Software Assurance agreement, which comes with Microsoft E-Learning benefits. Do we also need to purchase Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

Software Assurance e-learning provides training that focuses on Microsoft Office and some IT professional and developer skills. Microsoft Learning Solutions provides access to a wide array of Microsoft E-Learning that is designed to meet the technical training needs of your employees at different levels. Learn more:

Q.  If I acquire Microsoft Learning Solutions, can I still obtain Software Assurance?

A.

Yes. Software Assurance will still be available through Volume Licensing.

Q.  Does Microsoft Learning Solutions include Software Assurance benefits?

A.

No. As an online service, Microsoft Learning Solutions does not include Software Assurance.

Volume Licensing

 

View all answers

Q.  How do I obtain Microsoft Learning Solutions packages?

A.

Microsoft Learning Solutions are available to Enterprise and Select customers through Microsoft Volume Licensing Online Services. Each package is offered as a Service Subscription License (SSL) without the need for a User Subscription License (USL) or an Add-on Subscription License (ASL).

Q.  What is the difference between the pricing and subscription model of Microsoft Learning Solutions and other Volume Licensing Online Services?

A.

Microsoft Learning Solutions offers one-tier, single-package pricing. There is no need for a separate User Subscription License (USL) or an Add-on Subscription License (ASL), which are required for other programs under Volume Licensing Online Services.

Q.  Are Microsoft Learning Solutions packages available only for a twelve-month term?

A.

No. Learning Solutions packages are pro-rated, based on the number of months that are left in the master agreement.

Q.  The program began on July 1, 2005. May I sign up anytime, or is there a deadline?

A.

You may sign up for Microsoft Learning Solutions at any time. The cost will be pro-rated for the term of your Volume License Agreement.

Q.  How many codes should I acquire?

A.

The more codes your organization acquires, the greater the volume discount you receive. We recommend that you consult with Microsoft Learning Solutions Volume Licensing Help or your local Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions to determine your organization's training needs and to develop a learning plan that aligns with your company's business goals.

Technical Support

 

View all answers

Q.  How do I contact technical support for Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

Online service administrators who seek assistance in activating e-learning subscriptions:

For information about reporting on usage of Microsoft Learning products under a Volume License or Software Assurance agreement:

Q.  What are the technical requirements for Microsoft Learning Solutions?

A.

Because Microsoft Learning Solutions products reside on hosted servers, we highly recommend that customers use broadband Internet access. Features such as the virtual labs may be difficult to access without broadband.

Q.  Does Microsoft provide assistance with integrating Microsoft E-Learning or Microsoft E-Reference Library content with Learning Management Systems (LMSs)?

A.

Microsoft does offer LMS integration services for hosted Microsoft E-Learning or Microsoft E-Reference Library content.

Contact

Purchase

To get started with Microsoft Learning products, contact your Volume Licensing account manager. For questions about pricing, licensing, and accelerated discounting, send an e-mail message to mslvlhlp@microsoft.com.

End user support

Online service administrators

Resources for Businesses

Quick Links

Learning Resources