Overview of the most common software lic

Open Value is an example of a volume license program offered by Microsoft for businesses, public bodies and other organisations. The minimum number of licenses is usually five. As installation can be performed using nothing but a volume license key, deployment is quick and simple.

A volume license also includes:

• a downgrade right allowing the buyer to install and use older product versions;
• a reimaging right allowing the buyer to maintain a consistent image when copying software onto other devices;
• a portable device right allowing the buyer to use an additional copy of the software on a portable device such as a laptop.

Microsoft also gives volume license holders the option of ‘Software Assurance’ or ‘SA’. This allows the holder to obtain support and gain access to software updates.

In 2012, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt) ruled that the European Court of Justice’s judgment regarding the permissibility of trading in second-hand software was also applicable to volume licenses. Thanks to this ruling, there is now legal certainty around the purchase of pre-owned volume licenses. As such, it no longer entails any risks for companies and public bodies.

Volume licenses simplify the software purchasing process, as you receive only one data carrier, one download link, one activation key and one user agreement for multiple licenses. This is true for both new software and second-hand licenses.

Managing your software licenses becomes more efficient, especially if you need to install software on a large number of workstations. Unlike in the case of single-user licenses, you don’t have to manage each license individually. Upgrades are also made easier with volume licenses. Moreover, by pooling multiple licenses into one order, you will benefit from special bulk prices, saving you time and money.

The Microsoft Open License program was terminated on 31 December 2021. Companies, public bodies and educational institutions using Office 2019, server products (Windows Server/SQL Server/SharePoint/Skype) and other perpetual licenses can no longer extend those via the Open License program. Existing SAs will be maintained until the end of the contract term, but cannot be extended further than that.

Licenses acquired as a one-off purchase must now be obtained via CSP and Open Value.

The Cloud Solution Provider program allows you to market Microsoft cloud services in combination with your own solutions. It acts as a third-party provider offering a comprehensive cloud-based platform that enables businesses to work with a single provider for all services, such as licensing, road mapping, implementation, user productivity, user acceptance, security and ongoing managed services.

Benefits of using CSP:

• Cost savings
• Centralised services & disaster recovery
• Support and rapid access to Microsoft

New Microsoft OEM licenses must be purchased in combination with hardware. For example, when buying a new computer with OEM it will already have a Windows version pre-installed by the software company. OEM licenses are not hardware bound and can be independently transferred from the purchased hardware to other computers and can be bought and sold as second-hand licenses.

Product Key Cards are a package containing a card with the license key that can also be used to release pre-installed Office products or just the new installation.

In the case of Microsoft, a Full Packaged Product is a traditional retail package including a data carrier, license certificate and documentation. These packages are intended for retail and are thus aimed at private users or very small companies. However, with an FPP version you also receive a portable device right in addition to the actual software license that allows the same person to use the software on a portable device like a laptop.