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That link is for an Open License. The MS Open License program allows you to purchase volume licenses individually, but the initial MS Open License order must be
by mjcl 6y ago
That link is for an Open License. The MS Open License program allows you to purchase volume licenses individually, but the initial MS Open License order must be for at least 5 licenses (of something).
- EvanAnderson 6y agoCDW will happily sell you once license of LTSC and 4 of the cheapest SKU in the catalog (I don't know what that is, currently-- in the past it has been stuff like $5 DVD playback licenses) to get you over the minimum purchase qty.
- fl0wenol 6y agoI did exactly this with PC Connection and got into the Open license program. What's great is that you get 50 activations out of the box, so while it's a bit of money up front, it effectively allows you to use a bunch of systems and VMs internally without worry. No one is going to say anything about this especially if it's for personal use. If you were supporting multiple users in a small business environment definitely make sure you buy as many Windows SKUs as you have end users to be compliant, however. All of this becomes moot once you have >25 clients; then you can transition to using volume licensing and it's essentially unlimited. It still tracks it though and Microsoft can ask to look at it, especially if you change from Open to Select or some other volume pricing agreement, so keep that in mind.
- EvanAnderson 6y agoI've had a sharp increase in the number of license compliance audits coming from Microsoft in the last couple years. A couple of my Customers have been targeted annually 3 years in a row. The most recent round of audits included probing questions that were clearly looking for SaaS sales opportunities.