What is Microsoft Select License?
Microsoft Select License is a transactional Microsoft Volume Licensing program that offers a flexible, affordable way for large or enterprise organizations with 250 or more desktop PCs and mixed software requirements to acquire the latest Microsoft technology on a pay-as-they-go basis. Select License includes the option to add Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing, the comprehensive maintenance program from Microsoft that offers the ability to spread payments.
Customers receive a volume price level for each pool of products selected—applications, systems, or servers—based on a three-year software forecast where use is measured against the forecast. The Select License program makes it easier for customers to adapt their technology strategy to evolving business needs, and can help accelerate software deployment through the availability of tools, resources, and maintenance benefits.
For acquiring licenses with a Lead Affiliate customer ID and an agreement that never expires, consider the Select Plus program. Select Plus is an upgrade to Select License that gives your customers an option to take advantage of greater value and improved features, with no price change from Select License.
The Select License program is available to qualifying commercial, academic (Select License for Academic), and government (Select License for Government) organizations. Eligibility definitions vary by region. Check with your regional Microsoft subsidiary if you have questions.
License Type The Select License program offers perpetual licenses, which are everlasting and valid if the licensed products are being used in accordance with the license-agreement requirements. Select License program customers own their licenses and have perpetual use of the licensed products under their agreements as of the time the licenses are acquired
Software Maintenance Options
Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing is a comprehensive maintenance offering that helps customers get the most out of their technology investments. It combines the latest software with phone support available 24 hours a day, partner services, training, and IT tools that help customers deploy, manage, and migrate software. Software Assurance benefits vary with each Volume Licensing program. In addition, server licenses come with benefits that are different from those for desktop licenses. Software Assurance is optional for the Select License program, and coverage runs to the end of the agreement term. Software Assurance membership is available to customers who agree to acquire Software Assurance with all licenses acquired within a particular product pool under their enrollment or agreement. The Select License program enrollment has a check box for electing Software Assurance membership.
Software Assurance benefits for the Select License program include New Version Rights, Spread Payments, Desktop Deployment Planning Services (Select License program Software Assurance members only), SharePoint Deployment Planning Services, Exchange Deployment Planning Services, Business Value Planning Services, Windows Vista Enterprise, optional Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance add-on subscription, Training Vouchers (Select License program Software Assurance members only), Microsoft E-Learning, Home Use Program, Employee Purchase Program (Select License program Software Assurance members only), Enterprise Source Licensing Program (Select License program Software Assurance members with 1,500 or more desktop PCs only), 24×7 Problem-Resolution Support, Cold Backups for Disaster Recovery, TechNet Subscription Through Software Assurance, Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (Select License program Software Assurance members only), and Extended Hotfix Support.
Licensing Offerings The Select License program offers four acquisition options to help you meet the needs of your customers:
Licenses only
License and Software Assurance packs at the time of license acquisition
Software Assurance renewals (prorated to the prior anniversary)
Software Assurance acquired on its own within 90 days of retail full-packaged product or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) acquisitions of system or server software product licenses, or OEM acquisitions of Microsoft Office 2003 or newer version licenses
Pricing Each licensing offering is assigned a specific point value to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools (applications, systems, and servers), with a minimum three-year forecast of points to be acquired for each price level.
Four price levels are available for commercial organizations:
Level A: 1,500-11,999 points.
Level B: 12,000-29,999 points.
Level C: 30,000-74,999 points.
Level D: 75,000 or more points.
Check out the most recent product list & point total for each product.
Lots of information! Let your dedicated RedLegg Licensing Specialist sort through everything for you.
Licensing Fulfillment The Select License program does not include media kits. Customers can download licensed products for no additional charge at the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Customers can acquire media separately, for a fee, in selected markets.
Payment Options The Select License program offers two payment options:
Pay the full amount at the time of order.
Spread payments across agreement anniversaries (pay one-third at the time of order and one-third on each of the next two agreement anniversaries) for license and Software Assurance packs or Software Assurance only.
Agreement Term The Select License program offers a three-year enrollment and master agreement term that begins with each new initial order.
To address the "lack of the appropriation of funds" situation that many government organizations may face in entering into a multi-year agreement, the Select License for Government program now includes mid-term cancellation terms in the Government Eligibility Addendum. For government customers that have an existing Select License for Government program agreement, but do not receive funding for their second or third anniversary, Microsoft now offers the ability to end their agreement mid-term. This is only for a non-appropriation of funds situation (all other situations should be dealt with by the Microsoft Business Desk). This change does not apply to Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, or Vietnam due to their existing framework.
Initial order For new customers, the initial order for each product pool must meet a minimum of 1,500 points to begin acquiring licenses in that pool. Points qualification is always at the pool level. Customers can acquire licenses under single pools. If customers acquire licenses under multiple pools, they must qualify with 1,500 minimum points per pool. Customers who have an existing agreement for the Enterprise Agreement or Enterprise Subscription Agreement programs do not need to comply with annual point minimums. For customers who have an existing agreement for a Volume Licensing program other than the Enterprise Agreement or Enterprise Subscription Agreement programs and have acquired 1,500 points or more in the past 12 months, the initial price level is determined based on the points acquired in the qualifying Volume Licensing program. After customers meet the initial requirements, they can place an order for one or more licenses.
Additional orders The points accumulated within each pool during the preceding 12 calendar months are reviewed annually, and, depending on whether the forecast was on target, the price level can increase, decrease, or remain the same. The order that qualifies customers for the next discount threshold (such as Level A to Level B) receives the discount. Customers must have a minimum of 1,500 points during the three years to maintain Level A pricing. For customers who have an existing agreement for the Enterprise Agreement or Enterprise Subscription Agreement programs, annual compliance is waived as long as the qualifying agreement is active. If customers do not meet their forecast, the price level may be adjusted, which will not affect previously acquired licenses, or, if the acquisition history is too small for the 1,500-point entry level, the Select License program agreement may be terminated for the product pool where license consumption fell short.
Order and License Tracking When the accepted agreement and the initial purchase order are received, Microsoft will publish an order confirmation, including the authorization number and license number, to the password-protected VLSC within 24 hours, reflecting the updated license status. Customers may track and monitor licenses easily and conveniently and download and install licensed software through the VLSC. Upon acceptance of the agreement, the customer contact identified on the enrollment will be provided access to the VLSC, where he or she can find any required volume license keys, SKUs, product descriptions, and quantities for the products ordered. Customers need an authorization number, a license number, and a Microsoft Live ID or Passport ID to access the VLSC.
Agreement Renewal Options At the end of the three-year Select License program agreement, customers have the option to extend their agreement for another year or three years. Or customers can reinstate their Software Assurance benefits by starting a new Select License program agreement for Software Assurance only within 30 days of the expiration of the agreement. | 