Microsoft Licensing Basics: Overview
A software license grants you the right to run Microsoft software. There are three basic steps to acquire a software license:
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Determine the license you need |
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Decide the best purchase option—perpetual vs. subscription, for example |
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Determine where you should purchase |
Determining the License You Need
A software product is categorized at three different levels: product pool, product, and edition. For example, with Microsoft Office XP Professional, the product pool is Applications, the product is Office XP, and the edition
is Professional.
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Product Pool. Microsoft software programs fall under one of the following three product pools:
- Applications. Microsoft application software programs are used to perform functions such as word processing and spreadsheet and presentation creation. Examples of Microsoft applications include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visio®, and Microsoft Project. Developer tools and utilities, such as Microsoft Visual Studio® are also part of the Microsoft applications pool.
-Systems. Microsoft desktop operating system software programs such as Microsoft Windows® XP Professional operating system control a computer and make it possible for users to enter and run applications.
-Servers. Microsoft server software programs provide a variety of functions such as database storage, e-mail, messaging, and event monitoring for workers who are part of a larger network or business unit who need to share information. Examples of servers include Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000, and Windows 2000 Server.
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Product. The software program. For example, Office, Visual Studio, Windows 2000,
or SQL Server. |
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Edition. Suggests the features included in a product. |
Determining the Best Purchase Option and Purchase Point
Original Equipment Manufacturer
You may license products through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). These products, such as Windows operating systems, come installed when you purchase a new computer.
Full Packaged Product (FPP)–Retail
Physical, shrink-wrapped boxes of licensed product that can be purchased in a local retail store or any local software retailer.
Volume Licensing for Organizations
You may enjoy potentially significant savings by acquiring multiple product licenses. Depending on the size and type of your organization, you have the following volume licensing options:
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Open License Designed for organizations purchasing as few as five licenses. |
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Select License Designed for organizations that have 250 or more desktops and are able to forecast software license acquisitions over a three-year period. |
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Enterprise Agreement Perhaps the best choice for organizations that have 250 or more desktops and that are looking to standardize their enterprise on one or more of the Microsoft Platform Enterprise Products (Office Professional, Windows Professional upgrade and Core Client Access License) at discounted prices based on a three-year agreement term. |
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Academic Volume Licensing If your organization is an academic institution, you may qualify for one of the Microsoft academic licensing programs. |
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