Microsoft Open Value Subscription Customer Reference

Designed for Customers with 5+ PCs. Updated February 2011

Introduction
Microsoft Open Value Subscription is a flexible, low cost Volume Licensing solution for organisations with as few as five PCs.
Subscribing to (or leasing) products and services are becoming commonplace in the New Zealand market. Whether cars, phones or
computers, organisations are moving to the point where they no longer need to own assets. This is especially the case when the greatly
reduced cost and flexibility of leasing or subscribing is so attractive.
Subscribing to software offers a great alternative for customers. With the flexibility to either increase or reduce the number of licences at
each anniversary (based on the PC count in the organisation), Microsoft Open Value Subscription is a great solution for organisations wanting
both financial predictability and access to the latest technology.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription offers savings of up to 40% compared to Microsoft Open Value*. Licensing the Professional Desktop
Suite through Open Value Subscription can save customers even more - up to 50%!
At a time where there is uncertainty for customers about the future possibility of migrating to online or cloud based solutions, Microsoft
Open Value Subscription offers a low cost, flexible and manageable stepping stone, no matter what future path a customer may choose.
*Savings are indicative and compare Open Value to Open Value Subscription. Please ask your Microsoft Reseller for pricing and guidance.

Customer Evaluation
Using the mini assessment below, you can evaluate the viability of Microsoft Open Value Subscription for your business.

Is COST REDUCTION of interest?

Yes / No

Is CASH FLOW of value?

Yes / No

Is access to the LATEST TECHNOLOGY critical?

Yes / No

Is the ability to DECREASE licensed quantities important?

Yes / No

Is licensing COMPLIANCE of value?

Yes / No

Are PREDICTABLE ANNUAL COSTS important?

Yes / No

Is license MANAGEABILITY important to the organisation?

Yes / No

Is FLEXIBLITY to migrate to another licensing solution important?

Yes / No

If you answer yes to three or more of these questions, Open Value Subscription is a solution you could seriously consider. If youre not sure,
read through the following organisation characteristics for additional insight.

Would Open Value Subscription suit YOUR organisation?

Does your organisation have any of the following characteristics?

Cash is tight, and low financial outlay is important.

Has old technology and want to upgrade to the latest with minimal expenditure.
Experiences fluctuations in desktop numbers during the term of their agreement.
Considering moving to an online or cloud based solution in the future, and dont want to invest in perpetual licenses.
Possibility of a merger or divestiture within three years.
Have experienced difficulty managing Software Assets in the past. Annual reporting for products licensed companywide through Open
Value Subscription ensures license management is a breeze.

Open Value Subscription is ideal for any organisation wanting access to the latest Microsoft technology with low financial outlay.

Top 10 Reasons to buy Open Value Subscription

1. 40% Cheaper*
Microsoft Open Value Subscription is up to 40% cheaper when compared to purchasing software licenses through Microsoft Open
Value! Savings are based on recommended retail pricing. Actual savings may vary.

2. Save up to 50% with Professional Desktop*

The Professional Desktop is a bundled suite of products. Purchasing the suite through Microsoft Open Value Subscription provides
savings of up to 50% when compared to purchasing products individually though Microsoft Open Value.
Professional Desktop: Microsoft Office Professional Plus, Windows Professional Upgrade, and the Core Client Access License (CAL) suite.
Savings are based on recommended retail pricing. Actual savings may vary.

3. Recognition for existing software.

New Microsoft Open Value Subscription customers can save an additional 50% on the first annual payment with the Up To Date
discount. Note: Discount only available for existing underlying software licenses for eligible Enterprise products.

4. Financial Benefits.
Subscribing to software licenses can be treated as operational expenditure (which may provide tax savings). Customers are
recommended to talk with their advisor or accountant about how subscribing to software can provide such financial benefits.

5. Flexibility.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription offers the flexibility to either increase or reduce the number of licences at each agreement
anniversary (based on the PC count in the organisation).

6. Option to buy.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription offers an optional buy-out for customers wishing to transition from temporary to permanent
licenses. Buy-out option only is available at the end of the three year Open Value Subscription agreement term.

7. Predictability.
Predictable low annual payments over the three year agreement term make Microsoft Open Value Subscription a cost effective and
straightforward Volume Licensing solution for many organisations.

8.

Business benefits.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription includes Microsoft Software Assurance. Software Assurance combines a broad range of great
business benefits helping organisations to deploy, manage, and support their software. Benefits vary depending on products and
quantity of products purchased.

9. License Management.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription makes it easier and less time-consuming to track software licenses. Customers can gain better
insight into their licensing needs and have more confidence their licensing is correct.

10. Software as a Service.

For organisations considering the moving to a cloud based or online licensing solution in the future, but that require licenses and
technology solutions NOW, subscribing to Microsoft software licenses through Open Value Subscription can be a great option.
Subscribing to software ensures an organisation doesnt own the rights to perpetual (permanent) licenses that at the end of an
agreement may not be required or used again.
*Savings are indicative. Please ask your Microsoft Reseller for pricing and guidance.

Starting an Agreement
Enterprise Products
Open Value Subscription requires a customer license a minimum of one
Enterprise product licensed for each qualified desktop in the
organisation - referred to as licensing CompanyWide. There are six
individual Enterprise products to choose from and one suite.

Enterprise Products
Microsoft Office
1.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus

Important note: When licensing Enterprise products, the licenses must

cover each qualified desktop in an entire legal entity, not partial entities
such as departments, divisions, or business units.

Client Access License Suite

A Platform discount is an additional discount available ONLY for

customers that choose to license the Professional Desktop suite OR that
choose three Enterprise products (one from each product group:
Microsoft Office Professional Plus, Client Access License option and a
Windows Professional Upgrade option).

Windows Professional Upgrade

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.

Core Client Access License or

Enterprise Client Access License or
Small Business Server Client Access License

Windows Professional Upgrade or

Windows Professional Upgrade with MDOP

Enterprise Product rules

Enterprise product(s) chosen are invoiced according to the qualified

desktop count within the customer organisation.

Professional Desktop Suite

Includes the following three products:

Microsoft Office Professional Plus

Core Client Access License
Windows Professional Upgrade

The numbers of qualified desktops in your organisation can fluctuate

throughout a given year, and are only reported once a year (at the
Microsoft Open Value Subscription agreement anniversary).

The licensed quantity of Enterprise products may be reduced only if the qualified desktop count in the organisation decreases i.e.
if the size of the organisation shrinks (to no less than a minimum of five desktops).

At the customers discretion, the Client Access License suite may be licensed in either user or device, and unlike other Microsoft
Volume Licensing agreements, the CAL type may vary and be changed during the term of the agreement without notifying
Microsoft.
Client Access License Suites are the most cost-effective way to supercharge your investment in Microsoft Desktop and Server
technologies. CAL Suites combine the most popular Client Access Licenses into two convenient packages: Core and Enterprise.

Additional Products
Additional Products are software licenses required by the customer over and above Enterprise product(s). Additional Products may be
licensed in any quantity within the Microsoft Open Value Subscription agreement.

Frequently licensed Additional Products:

Applications

Servers

Project Professional
Project Standard
Visio Premium
Visio Professional
Visio Standard

Client Access Licenses (CALs)

Dynamics CRM CAL

Exchange Enterprise CAL
ForeFront Identity Manager CAL
Office Communications Server Standard CAL
Project Server CAL
SharePoint Enterprise CAL
SQL Server Enterprise Edition
SQL Server Standard CAL
Windows Remote Desktop Services CAL
Windows Rights Management Services CAL

BizTalk Server (Standard, Enterprise)

Commerce Server (Standard, Enterprise)
Dynamics CRM Server (Workgroup, Professional, Enterprise)
Exchange Server (Standard, Enterprise)
Forefront Client Security, Forefront Protection Suite, Forefront Identity Mgr
Office Communication Server
Office Live Meeting (Standard, Professional)
Project Server
SharePoint Server
SQL Server (Standard, Enterprise, Datacentre)
System Centre Configuration Manager (Standard, Enterprise)
VDI Suite (Standard, Premium, with or without MDOP)
Windows Small Business Server (Standard, Premium)
Windows Server (Standard, Enterprise, Datacentre)

Developer Tools

Visual Studio Professional with MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network)

Additional Product rules

Additional Products ordered at the start of an Open Value Subscription agreement are invoiced annually (at the agreement anniversary,
over the three year agreement term).

For Additional Products ordered after the start of an Open Value Subscription agreement, reporting and payment must be made within
the month of Additional Product deployment to your Reseller.

Quantities of Additional Products licensed may be reduced

according to your organisations needs, as long as the product is
no longer used or uninstalled. Additional Product quantities
may be reduced to zero.

For a conclusive list of Additional Products, and for pricing,

please see your Reseller.

Enterprise products and most products included within in

Enterprise Products i.e. Windows CAL are not available as
Additional Products via the Open Value Subscription Program.

Open Value Subscription Process Summary

Subscribing to software licenses through Microsoft Open Value Subscription is easy by following this step by step process:
Please see over the page for more detail on helping customers choose Enterprise (CompanyWide) and Additional Products

Step 1: Qualified Desktops

How many desktops and laptops are in your
organisation. This is your organisations
qualified desktop number.

What is a qualified desktop?

A personal computer that meets the minimum technical
specifications to run any of the Enterprise Products (listed
below). Qualified Desktops are not 1) Servers, 2) computers
running only specialised line of business software, or 3) devices
running embedded operating systems.

Step 2: Choose Enterprise Product(s) *

A minimum of one enterprise product must be licensed for each
qualified desktop in the organisation. Ask your reseller how the
platform discount (licensing one product from each of the three
enterprise product groups) can save you $$$!!!

*What is an Enterprise Product?

There are three Enterprise Product groups:
1.

Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Professional Plus

2.

Microsoft Windows: Windows desktop operating

system upgrade (must have underlying OEM operating

Step 3: Choose Additional Products

Products over & above Platform Products such as servers are
referred to as "Additional Products" and can be licensed in any
quantity within the Open Value Subscription agreement.

system license)
3.

Client Access License (CAL) suite: i.e. Core Client Access

License, Enterprise CAL or Small Business Server CAL

Open Value Subscription requires a minimum of one

enterprise product licensed for each qualified desktop in the
organisation - referred to as licensing CompanyWide.

Step 4: Place your order with a Reseller

Once you have a Microsoft partner, you can place your order. Open
Value Subscription is available through any Microsoft Reseller.

What are Additional Products?

Additional Products are software licenses over and above the
Enterprise Products, i.e. Servers. Additional Products can be
licensed in any quantity under an Open Value Subscription

Step 5: Sign the licensing agreement online

Through a password protected site the agreement is signed online.

agreement. Please see the next page for an example of

Additional Products available to order.

Once the agreement is processed, the customer can download the

product to install, or order the media. Then it's just a matter of
deploying the software, and enjoy!

Discounts of up to 50%!!!
License three Enterprise products
CompanyWide (one from each
Enterprise Product Group), and

Step 6: Submit an annual purchase order

At each agreement anniversary, simply let your Microsoft reseller
know your "then current" number of qualified desktops (even if

there is no change), and additional products required.

Receive up to 50% discount!!!

(When compared to buying
the products individually
through Microsoft Open Value)

Recognition for existing software

Already invested in Microsoft software licenses? No problem. The up-to-date (UTD) discount is available for Microsoft Open Value
Subscription customers that own perpetual licenses for older editions of eligible Enterprise products.
The 50% UTD discount is a one time discount, applied to first annual payment only. The discount is only applicable for older eligible licenses
that a customer already owns should the customer wishing to subscribe to licenses through Open Value Subscription. Eligible products may
have been purchased via OEM (preinstalled on a computer system), through a retail store or a Volume Licensing Program. Software
Assurance is not required to be eligible for the up-to-date discount. Proof of license may be required.
Up-to-date License

Qualifying Underlying Product/Version

Office Professional Plus 2010

Office Professional Plus Edition 2010

Office 2010 Professional Edition 2010
Office Enterprise Edition 2007
Office Professional Plus Edition 2007
Office Small Business Edition 2007
Office Ultimate Edition 2007
Office 2007 Professional Edition

Core Client Access License (Device or User)

Any Core CAL

Enterprise Client Access License (Device or User)

Any Enterprise CAL

Small Business Server Standard 2008 CAL (Device or User)

Windows Small Business Server Standard 2008 CAL

Windows Small Business Server 2003 CAL

Small Business Server Premium 2008 CAL (Device or User)

Windows Small Business Server Premium 2008 CAL

Windows Small Business Server 2003 CAL

Windows 7 Professional Upgrade

Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Business

For the latest list of eligible UTD products, please download the most recent product list located at this URL:
www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx or consult your Microsoft Reseller

End of agreement options

At the end of a Microsoft Open Value Subscription agreement, there are four options available:

1. Renew the Open Value Subscription agreement.

Simply stay subscribing.

2. Do nothing.
Uninstall any software purchased through the Open Value
Subscription agreement.

3. Purchase perpetual licenses.

At the end of the three-year Open Value Subscription
agreement, an optional buy-out is available.
A buy out is a single payment enabling the customer to
transition the licenses from non perpetual (temporary) to
perpetual (permanent). The customer owns the licenses to
the latest product version commercially available at the time of the buy-out.
The cost of the buy-out is approximately 1.75 x annual Microsoft Open Value Subscription fee, and all enterprise products licensed in
the agreement must be bought out. For any increase in desktops in the third year of the agreement, the customer must also pay the
annual fee prior to buy-out.
For Additional Products there is no minimum requirement for the buy-out. Any quantity of Additional Products ordered in the final year
of the agreement can be bought out depending on the requirements of the customer.

Option to purchase the licenses perpetually

(through a buy-out)

4. Purchase software through another Volume Licensing program or licensing solution.

The licenses subscribed to through Microsoft Open Value Subscription are only temporary licenses, lasting only for as long as they are
subscribed to during the term of the Open Value Subscription agreement.

Financial Benefits
Low initial financial outlay*
The following example shows the initial financial outlay* for a customer purchasing Microsoft Office Professional Plus through the
four Microsoft Open Programs. Microsoft Open Value Subscription offers the lowest initial financial outlay. Remember that Open
Value Subscription INCLUDES Software Assurance benefits (so Work at Home licenses for Office), and ability to reduce licensed
quantities annually according to qualified desktops. Overall Microsoft Open Value Subscription offers best value for money.

* Microsoft Open Value Subscription and Open Value RRPs listed are Companywide prices (i.e. Enterprise products). All other prices
are also RRPs. Actual prices may vary. Open Value Subscription, and Open Value require annual payments across a 3 year agreement.
Open License is always a one off payment. L&SA refers to License and Software Assurance bundle (with SA only lasting the two year
term). Actual prices may vary. Customers should contact their Microsoft Reseller for the latest pricing available.

Customers save up to 50% with Professional Desktop

The Professional Desktop can be an extremely cost effective way of purchasing Microsoft Software. In addition, when comparing
Professional Desktop bundle purchased through Open Value Subscription vs purchasing the individual products separately though
Open Value, customers can save up to 50%*!
Buying Products Individually

Open Value

Professional Desktop Bundle

Office Professional Plus

$587

Windows Professional Upgrade

$217

Windows Professional Upgrade

Core Client Access License Suite

$216

Core Client Access License Suite

Total

$1020

VS

Open Value Subscription

Office Professional Plus

$511
(all three products)

*Pricing is based on Recommended Retail Prices for the first year of the Volume Licensing agreement. Actual prices may vary.
Customers should contact their Microsoft Reseller for the latest pricing available.

Open Programs Comparison Chart

Overview

Initial Purchase

Microsoft Open Value Subscription

Microsoft Open Value

Microsoft Open License

5 PCs to qualify.
Non perpetual (temporary) licenses.
Software Assurance Included.
3 year agreement term.
Annual payments.
Desktop standardisation required
(all desktop PCs must be licensed for
at least one enterprise product).

5 PCs to qualify.
Perpetual (permanent) licenses.
Software Assurance Included
3 year agreement term.
Spread annual payments or
Upfront (optional).
Desktop standardisation
optional (Open Value
CompanyWide).

Desktop standardisation required

(all desktop PCs must be licensed for
at least one enterprise product).
Licensed desktops may be added or
subtracted annually should the
qualified desktop count increase or
decrease in size.
Additional Products may be ordered
in any quantity.
Optional buy out to perpetual
licenses when agreement ends.

Five Licenses with Software

Assurance (L&SA).
For Open Value CompanyWide
all desktop PCs must be
standardised on at least one
enterprise product.
After the initial term, the
customer owns perpetual
licenses and has the option to
extend Software Assurance
coverage (SA only, without the
license cost).

Yes for licensing the full Platform or

Professional Desktop (licensed for
each qualified desktop in the
company)

Yes for licensing the full

Platform or Professional
Desktop (licensed for each
qualified desktop in the
company)

Discounts

Order

All payments upfront.

Five licenses or one server
per processor license.
Licenses may be added at
any time.
New agreements may be
started at any time with
minimum 5 license
requirement.

None

Through any Microsoft Reseller

Single Agreement for

Multiple Entities
Install Before You Order

Yes1

Yes1

Yes1

Yes

Yes

No

Payment

Three annual payments.

Three annual payments or upfront

at the time of order.

Payment due up front when

order is placed.

Spread Payments

Yes

Yes Optional

No

Price Protection

Yes2

Yes2

No

Software Assurance

Included

Included

Optional

Web-based License
Management
Media Included

Ideal for ad-hoc

purchases.
5 licenses required to start
agreement.
Software Assurance
optional.
Two-year agreement term,
with perpetual licenses.

Yes through VLSC website https://licensing.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter

Default media delivery method is the online download via VLSC at no extra charge.
Physical Media can be ordered separately for a small fee.

Limited to affiliates within the same defined region. For more details, refer to http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/open-regional.aspx
Price Protection is provided for subsequent payments. Open Value CompanyWide also provides price protection for subsequent or ders for CompanyWide products.
Price protection applies to list prices and not promotional prices. Open Value Subscription provides price protection for all previously ordered products.
3
Open Value Subscription only offers annual spread payments.
4
Product is available for trial, but ordering is required at the time of production use.
2

Licensing Resources
Customers are recommended to call their Microsoft Reseller in the first instance for guidance and support regarding Microsoft Volume
Licensing.
Microsoft Open Value Subscription
(customer web site, NZ)

www.microsoft.com/nz/licensing
Customer ready Open Value Subscription information and downloadable guides available

Microsoft Licensing Helpdesk:

Phone: 0800-800-004 (press option 5)

Available 9.30am 7.30pm Monday Friday excluding public holidays.
This service is available for Resellers and customers

Volume Licensing purchase histories:

Email: info@accordo.com
This service is available for Resellers and customers. Resellers must send customer email
approval with request for Volume Licensing purchase history.

Volume Licensing Promotions:

www.microsoft.co.nz/hotoffers

Microsoft Licensing Toolkit

www.microsoft.com/nz/toolkit
Download useful licensing documents. Created in New Zealand for New Zealand partners and
customers.

Product Activation Hotline:

Phone: 0800 676 334

Available to customers and partners with issues or questions with Product Activation.

Microsoft Product List

www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx
Information about product additions & discontinuations, Software Assurance benefits,
product migration paths etc. Updated monthly. Download it from:

Product Usage Rights

www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PUR.aspx
Understand usage rights & licensing rules for all Microsoft Products purchased through
Volume Licensing programs. Updated quarterly.

Microsoft License Advisor

www.microsoft.com/licensing/mla/default.aspx
Use License Advisor to research Microsoft Volume Licensing products, programs and pricing.
Get a full quote that you can share with colleagues or your reseller. This tool accesses the
latest New Zealand price list.

General Licensing information (NZ)

www.microsoft.com/nz/licensing

Software Assurance (NZ)

www.microsoft.com/nz/sa

Report Software Piracy/Piracy info (NZ)

www.microsoft.com/nz/piracy

More Information on Microsoft Open Value Subscription

Talk with your preferred Microsoft Reseller
or visit the Microsoft licensing web site: www.microsoft.com/nz/licensing

This document is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties express or implied in this document. If there is any conflict
between this document and Microsoft license terms, the license terms govern. Savings included in this document are indicative and compare Open
Value to Open Value Subscription. Please ask your Microsoft Reseller for pricing and guidance. 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.