Microsoft Licensing for Servers and End Users
A Proposal
Introduction
Currently, we have 84 (and counting) computers and laptops issued to it's
users. Most of these computers do not have genuine operating system
licenses and all do not have genuine MS Office licensing. The
organization is also looking to expand service provision and productivity
by employing SAP ERP and AMS/SBS. This further increases the
licensing requirement.
Because of this, we will need to acquire the following Licenses.
1. Server 2012 R2 Licensing
2. Get Genuine Windows Agreement
3. Microsoft Office License
4. Microsoft Projects License
This document will outline the different channels Microsoft uses for
licensing and finally a summary of proposed licensing option.
This document does not include cost of End User licensing as the IT
department is currently in the process of acquiring quotations as well as
conducting an internal audit of computers in its domain.
Advantages of Acquiring Genuine Licensing
1. Facilitates ERP, AMS and SBS system Implementation without
further time delays.
As we are currently in the process of implementation of the above
named systems, any delays in acquisition of server licenses will lead to
delays in time-lines.
Acquiring server licenses is a priority and a time sensitive undertaking.
As an additional benefit, members of the IT department are offered free
training by Microsoft.
2. Availability of patches and software updates as and when they
are available.
With licensed user workstations, updates from Microsoft, patches and bug
fixes can be applied when available. This is not possible with
counterfeit/unlicensed software. This further improves user experience
and reduces downtime with regard to productivity.
3. Confidence from users and partners
When end users know that they are working with legal software and that
there's no danger of arrests and embarrassment during presentations done
outside by the sales and marketing team, really improves their confidence
and this positively affects work output.
In the same breath, companies that partner with our organization will
have confidence in us when we run legitimate software.
4. Smooth running of operations on the ground
Licensed software comes with assurance of full application functionality.
This ensures smooth running of tasks by users on the ground as well as
reduced wasted time.
Regular updates issued by Microsoft and it's partners that are only
available to licensed users are available for downloads. These updates
enable the operating system and applications to adapt to any changes in
the environment or offer bug fixes in the code. This also reduces
downtime.
5. Security against prosecution/expensive lawsuits
Legitimate software affords the organisation and the IT department peace
of mind and reduces risks of lawsuits arising from software use by end
users.
Microsoft Licensing Options
Microsoft has the following vehicles of Licensing:
1. FPP/Retail Licensing
In this option, the installation media along with the License Key is sold
as a complete package. This option is most suitable for Home and small
businesses.
2. OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer] Licensing
Each OEM is assigned to one and only one PC.
For small and medium businesses it is relatively cost effective.
OEM License is downgradable (eg you can downgrade am O/S
Windows License to Windows 8 et cetera but one needs to contact
the manufacturer)
No Upgrades available
Non-transferrable and the license lapses after 3 installs.
3. Open Business Licensing/Volume Licensing
Open Business License is also called Paper License and the minimum
threshold is 5 Licenses. The five Licenses can be mixed, eg. 2 Desktop
Licenses, 2 Office Licenses, Software Assurance Agreement. Open Business
Licensing is a good choice for small and medium sized organizations, less
than 250 machines
S.A. is viable for 2 years
With S.A., a License is transferrable once a PC ceases to be
functional, eg. hardware failure.
Installation media is purchased separately or downloaded for free
from the MS Website.
Activation of this license is carried out via MS. Volume Licensing
Website
Open Licensing allows for network installation and re-imaging. This
feature can be useful in a DC environment
While the S.A. is viable additional licenses can be bought without
the minimum of 5 licenses applying.
4. Open Value Licensing
This carries all the benefits of Open Business Licensing.
Open Value Enterprise Licensing
Open Value Enterprise can be used to license O/S, Office,
CALs.
Different volumes of the licenses can be purchase, for
instance 50 O/S Licenses, 20 Office Licenses, 5 CALs
Only one agreement is needed, making licensing easier
Media is shipped free with each purchase
S.A. is valid for 3 years
Open Value Platform Licensing
Open Value Platform Licensing can be used to license O/S.
Office and CALs
Every license purchase must be uniform for all items being
licensed. For Instance: 20 O/S and 20 Office and 20 CAL.
This form of licensing is meant for the entire organization
and its pricing is lower than Open Value Enterprise.
S.A. is valid for 3 years Free media shipping with every
purchase.
Notes:
While the Software Agreement is a time bound agreement, the
licenses purchased continue to be valid long after the S.A. has
expired
The S.A. affords the organization training, 24/7 support, upgrade
rights, transfer rights and downgrade rights, depending on the
S.A. for the period within which it is valid
With Volume Licensing and in conjunction of a Certified
Microsoft Partner, Financing can be flexible.
In the case that a DC is employed in the organization, RDS CAL
should also be purchased to allow users to connect and obtain
services from the DC
Summary
Currently the table below gives a summary of expected licensing
requirement and will grow as the organization grows.
Company
Company1
Company2
Type
MS Office
Company1
MS Projects
Company2
Number
Recommended
Required
Channel
84 (final
verification needs
to be done as we Volume Licensing
are currently
growing)
9 (as per current
projects team for Volume Licensing
Company1)
0
Company 1
Company2
GGWA
Needs to be
verified
Volume Licensing
Company1
PIL
Windows Server
2012 R2
8
1
Volume Licensing
