Choosing Volume Licensing Programs

Organizations can choose among several volume licensing programs for Windows 7 Professional Upgrades, Software Assurance (SA), and related offerings such as the Desktop Optimization Pack. In general, volume licensing programs play a smaller role licensing Windows than for other products such as Office, but making good program choices can help organizations strike the right balance between cost, commitment levels, compliance, and budget needs. These programs and the general trade-offs between them are described in more detail in other Directions on Microsoft reports. This chapter outlines the most important considerations when making Windows-related purchases in the primary volume licensing programs for commercial organizations.

Enterprise Agreement Simplifies Compliance, Budgeting

Some organizations purchase the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade license organization-wide through an Enterprise Agreement (EA). An EA is a three-year contract that lets an organization license almost any Microsoft business software or service. The most widespread form of EA is commonly referred to as a desktop EA. (Its official Microsoft name is “Enterprise Enrollment.”) Licensing the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade organization-wide on a desktop EA helps ensure compliance with licensing terms and delivers a predictable annual cost per device, which can simplify budgeting and procurement.