Introduction

Navigating the complex array of Microsoft licensing policies, procedures, and programs is a financial and legal necessity for any organization using Microsoft software. A company that thoroughly understands Microsoft licensing and how it is changing can stay in compliance without paying for more licenses than it needs, and can budget intelligently for future software purchases. Recent changes, such as per-user licensing, Terminal Server changes, and new support options, make it more critical than ever that Microsoft business customers, salespeople, and service partners understand the company’s volume licensing programs so they can analyze their impact and plan accordingly.

This report offers an overview of Microsoft software licensing for executives who plan and manage IT systems, salespeople and service partners who sell them, and line-of-business managers who approve departmental IT budgets. It pulls together key material on all the major aspects of Microsoft product licensing into one easy-to-digest package, and is suitable for those just getting started as well as those who want to fill gaps in their existing knowledge of licensing.