Pools and Points

Microsoft uses a system of pools and points in some of its volume licensing programs, such as the Open Volume program, in an effort to count the type and value of licenses (as well as the absolute number of licenses) when calculating discounts.

Different pools contain specific types of software, such as desktop OSs or server software, and point values are assigned to each product license, including Client Access Licenses (CALs) and upgrades. Discounts are based on points earned within each pool, and points in one pool do not affect discounts in another pool. Open Volume has only one discount level, which requires 500 points in a pool, but other Microsoft volume licensing programs have multiple discount levels, and in those programs higher point totals earn bigger discounts.

One reason for the pools is antitrust legislation in the United States and elsewhere: offering a discount on one product, conditional on the purchase of an unrelated product, could be considered illegal “tying” of the two products (to use the term favored in U.S. antitrust law). Among other things, pools ensure that discounts are confined to groups of related products.