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Simplicity and Manageability

With a customizable platform and price advantages for volume purchasing, Open programs provide a simple, cost effective way to acquire the latest Microsoft technology.

Watch the Open programs comparison video (WMV 3:30 minutes)

Microsoft Open Programs offer the ability to add Online Services purchases to your agreement, so you can transition to the cloud at your own pace through your existing agreement.

Watch the Office 365 Open video (WMV 1:18 minutes)

Open Value

Open Value is the recommended program if you have a small to midsize organization with five or more desktop PCs and want to simplify license management, manage software costs, and get better control over your investment. It also includes Software Assurance, providing access to valuable benefits such as training, deployment planning, software upgrades, and product support help you boost the productivity of your entire organization.

Open Value Subscription

Open Value Subscription provides the lowest up-front costs of the Open Program options with the flexibility to reduce the total licensing costs in years when the desktop PC count declines This option gives your organization the rights to run the software throughout your organization only during the term of the agreement with Microsoft. You also have the ability to add the single platform option to an Open Value Subscription agreement.

Open License

Open License is a good choice if you are a corporate, academic, charitable, or government organization that wants to pay as you go. You must have a minimum initial purchase of five software licenses for an Open License agreement, but you can acquire additional licensed products through Open License in any quantity at any time during the two-year agreement term.

Eligibility

With an initial purchase of five or more licenses, you can acquire products as you need them over the term of your agreement.

In addition to commercial business, Microsoft offers Open programs for the following industries:

  • Government organizations

  • Health organizations

  • Educational institutions

  • Qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

  • Multinational organizations

Learn more about Volume Licensing programs for industries.

Review the following feature comparison to help you determine which Microsoft Volume Licensing program is right for your organization.

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= Benefits Available! No additional detail.

Benefits

Open License

Open Value

Open Value Subscription

Minimum Number of Desktop PCs

any

5+

250+

Licensing Offerings Available

License

License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.

License & Software Assurance

License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.

License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.

License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.

Software Assurance

License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance for renewals or eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.

License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.

License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.

Pricing

Based on Product Pools

Open Volume option incorporates product pools and points to establish the entry minimum for price advantage levels. An additional price point is offered to commercial organizations that purchase 500 points or more in a single product pool.

Based on Employees

Based on Desktop PCs

Open License: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.*

Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.

Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.

Based on License & Software Assurance

Open Business: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.*

Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.

Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.

Agreement Term

No Expiration

1 Year

Government only one year option.

2 Years

Two years, not renewable.

3 Years

Three years, renewable.

Three years, renewable.

Payment Options

Up-front

Up-front or Annual. Office 365 available as up-front only.

Up-front payment for Office 365 only.

Monthly

Annually

Annual payments or up-front.

Annual payments or up-front.

How to Buy

Direct

Indirect

A broad reseller channel.

A broad reseller channel.

A broad reseller channel.

Product Fulfillment

Acquired Separately

Media must be acquired separately, from Microsoft Worldwide Fulfillment.

Provided

One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost.

One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost.

Software Assurance

Option to Add

Option to add Software Assurance at the time of acquiring the license.

Included

Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement.

Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement.

Online Services

Offered

Online Services offered.**

Online Services offered.**

Online Services offered.**

*Level D pricing is available to entities that meet the threshold for the discount.

**Learn how to acquire Microsoft Online Services.

To buy or renew Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, contact your Microsoft partner or local reseller. Make sure to ask your partner or local reseller to review program agreement terms and conditions, pricing, and payment terms during the ordering process.

Note: The Office 365 Open Value Offer provides Open Value and Open Value Subscription customers with organization-wide commitments a way to license Office 365 at an adjusted price. Contact your preferred Microsoft Reseller for details.

United States and Canada

For more information about Microsoft Volume Licensing, or to order or renew software licenses, contact your preferred Microsoft Reseller.

  • In the United States, call (800) 426-9400, or find an authorized reseller.

  • In Canada, call the Microsoft Resource Centre at (877) 568-2495.

Worldwide

For information about Volume Licensing offerings available in your area, find the Microsoft Volume Licensing Web site for your country/region.

 

 

Did you know?

Your organization could qualify for Microsoft financing. Learn more >

Find resources to help you deploy and manage the assets associated with your Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement.

Volume Licensing Service Center

You can use the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) to download licensed products, access product keys, and manage your Volume Licensing agreements and license acquisition activity—all in one online location.

Software Assurance Benefits

Activating your organization's Software Assurance benefits is easy. Most benefits can be activated and accessed through the VLSC. The Software Assurance Web site provides everything you need to know.

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Success Story

"With Open Value, we're able to take advantage of new technology features a year or two sooner than before we signed the agreement, which helps make our employees more productive."

Alexandros Thomas
IT Implementer and Technology
Hellenic Seaways

Full story | More stories