Definition
Microsoft Volume Licensing is a service offered by Microsoft to facilitate the purchase of software licenses in bulk for organizations, educational institutions, and businesses. It allows these entities to obtain multiple copies of Microsoft software products at a discounted price based on the volume of licenses purchased. This program simplifies license management, reduces cost, and offers flexible licensing options tailored to the needs of the organization.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft Volume Licensing is a service provided by Microsoft to simplify the purchase, management, and deployment of various Microsoft products, such as Windows OS, Office Suite, and other applications, for organizations and businesses.
- Volume Licensing is cost-effective for organizations as it offers discounts for bulk purchases compared to individual retail licenses, customized payment plans, and the flexibility to choose from a variety of licensing options tailored to their specific needs and requirements.
- With Microsoft Volume Licensing, organizations can also access exclusive features and benefits such as Software Assurance, training resources, improved support, and upgrade rights, which help to ensure smooth and efficient software management throughout the organization.
Importance
Microsoft Volume Licensing is important because it offers organizations an efficient and cost-effective way to acquire multiple software licenses for their business needs, providing tailored solutions based on the size and requirements of the company.
This licensing model streamlines software management, enables simplified license tracking, and grants organizations access to special discounts, updates, and support services.
By leveraging Volume Licensing, companies can ensure that their employees have the necessary software tools, maintain compliance with licensing terms, and reduce overall IT costs, making it a crucial aspect of organizational technology strategy.
Explanation
Microsoft Volume Licensing is a cost-effective and flexible program designed to simplify the acquisition process of Microsoft products for organizations. The primary purpose of this licensing model is to provide businesses, educational institutions, government entities, and other organizations with the opportunity to purchase multiple licenses for their users, at a discounted price.
This type of licensing plays a crucial role in empowering organizations to enhance their technological capabilities, by allowing them to deploy and manage the usage of essential Microsoft software, tools, and platforms across a large number of devices within their organization. Furthermore, Microsoft Volume Licensing offers various plans tailored to suit organizations of varying sizes and requirements.
These plans ensure that businesses have access to the necessary tools and technology, while simultaneously reducing the overall TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), thus promoting a more efficient IT infrastructure. The Volume Licensing program also simplifies the license management process by consolidating all the licenses into a single agreement, which significantly streamlines the tracking and administration of software usage.
In summary, Microsoft Volume Licensing is a valuable offering aimed at providing organizations with the technological resources they need to operate efficiently and cost-effectively, while fostering a better overall computing experience for their users.
Examples of Microsoft Volume Licensing
Large-Scale Enterprise Adoption: A multinational corporation with thousands of employees requires Microsoft software and services across various departments and locations. They can use Microsoft Volume Licensing to obtain licenses for products like Microsoft Office, Windows OS, and other enterprise software in bulk at a reduced cost. This type of licensing allows them to standardize software across the organization, streamlines software management, simplifies compliance tracking, and provides flexible payment options.
Educational Institutions: A large university or school district wants to provide students, faculty, and staff with Microsoft software, such as Office 365, for use on campus and at home for educational purposes. They can take advantage of Microsoft Volume Licensing under the Microsoft Education Licensing Program, which ensures that educational institutions receive discounted pricing on Microsoft products, services, and devices. This helps the institution save on software costs and utilizes a centralized approach for software deployment and updates.
Government Agencies: A city or regional government office needs to provide all of its government employees, like councilors, administrators, and other staff, with the necessary Microsoft tools for communication, data management, and record-keeping. With Microsoft Volume Licensing, government agencies can make enterprise-level software and services like Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and various other productivity tools available to employees, at a preferential price and under a unified contract. This approach not only reduces the costs for public offices but also simplifies the scaling and administration of software across the organization.
Microsoft Volume Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Microsoft Volume Licensing?
Microsoft Volume Licensing is a service offered by Microsoft that allows organizations to purchase software licenses in bulk at a discounted price. This program is designed to cater to the needs of businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and other organizations that require multiple software licenses for their daily operations.
2. What are the benefits of Microsoft Volume Licensing?
Microsoft Volume Licensing offers several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, the ability to standardize software across departments or the entire organization, simplified software management and tracking, flexibility, and customized licensing options that can be tailored according to an organization’s needs.
3. Who can participate in Microsoft Volume Licensing?
Microsoft Volume Licensing is available to businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other organizations that require multiple software licenses. The minimum number of licenses required to participate in the program varies depending on the specific licensing agreement.
4. How do I get started with Microsoft Volume Licensing?
To get started with Microsoft Volume Licensing, you can visit the official Microsoft Volume Licensing website, explore different licensing options, and contact a Microsoft reseller or Microsoft representative for assistance. They will guide you through the process of finding the right licensing option and help you enroll in the appropriate program.
5. What types of Microsoft products are available through Volume Licensing?
Microsoft Volume Licensing offers a wide range of Microsoft products, including operating systems, office productivity suites, server software, developer tools, and more. Some of the popular products available through this program are Windows, Office, SharePoint, Exchange, SQL Server, and Visual Studio.
6. Can I purchase cloud-based services through Microsoft Volume Licensing?
Yes, you can purchase cloud-based services such as Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365 through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Different licensing options are available for cloud-based services, enabling organizations to choose the best fit for their needs and budget.
7. How is software compliance managed in Microsoft Volume Licensing?
Software compliance in Microsoft Volume Licensing is managed through the use of product keys and activations. Organizations are obligated to track and manage their licenses accurately to ensure they do not exceed the number of purchased licenses. Microsoft may conduct software audits to verify an organization’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the licensing agreement.
Related Technology Terms
- Software Assurance
- Open License
- Enterprise Agreement
- Select Plus
- MPSA (Microsoft Products and Services Agreement)
