Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs explained
Microsoft’s volume licensing programs offer companies of all sizes simplified ways to buy and manage multiple software licenses - for as few as two desktop PCs. Our volume licensing programs are also available as perpetual or non-perpetual options.
Volume Licensing Options for organizations
You may enjoy significant savings by acquiring multiple product licenses. Depending on the size and type of your organization, you have the following volume licensing options:
- Open license - minimum entry 5 licenses
A cost effective way for small to medium-sized organizations with two to 500 or more desktop PCs looking to buy Microsoft software licenses outright.
- Open value - minimum entry 5 licenses
For organizations with as few as five desktops that would like the advantages of Software Assurance and the ability to spread payments annually
- Select License - minimum 250+ PCs
Select License is a perpetual license designed for corporate and government customers, with 250 or more desktop PCs who have mixed product and purchasing requirements.
- Enterprise Agreement - minimum 250+ PCs
Enterprise Agreement is a perpetual licenses designed for corporate and government customers, with 250 or more desktop PCs, who want to standardise some or all of their Microsoft Platform products.
- Enterprise Subscription Agreement - minimum 250+ PCs
Enterprise Subscription Agreement is a non-perpetual agreement designed for corporate customers with 250 or more desktop PCs who prefer to subscribe to - rather than purchase - Microsoft software licenses.
Perpetual and non-perpetual licensing
Perpetual and non-perpetual options are available so that you can choose how long you want your license to last. A perpetual license gives you the right to use the software forever, while a non-perpetual license lasts for a specific period of time - similar to renting.
Perpetual licensing
A perpetual license provides you with the right to use the software forever but you are required to pay 100% of the cost. Open license, Enterprise Agreement and Select Agreement are all perpetual. Combining a perpetual license with Software Assurance enables you to use the latest version of a product and any new versions of that product that are released during the term of your agreement.
Non-perpetual licensing
Non-perpetual licensing provides the right to use software for the term of the agreement. Once the agreement expires, to continue using the software you can either re-new the agreement or choose to purchase the software via the buy-out option. If you choose not to re-new the agreement you must remove all of the software. Enterprise Subscription Agreement is a non-perpetual agreement.
