Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft offers enterprise software products and services to help companies streamline their business processes.
- The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is a licensing agreement that allows businesses with 500 or more users or devices to purchase a specified number of licenses for Microsoft products for a fee.
- The EA is a flexible option for companies that require a large number of licenses and provides centralized administration and simplification of license management. It provides access to Microsoft’s suite of services, including Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365.
- The EA offers different licenses: Core CAL or Enterprise CAL for users or devices and server licenses for data centers. The subscription option lowers initial licensing costs and allows for annual increases or decreases in subscription counts.
- There are various licensing options available under the Microsoft EA, such as Enterprise Subscription Agreement and Online Services Terms. It’s important to understand and compare these options before making a decision.
Introduction to Microsoft Enterprise Agreement licensing
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) licensing is a highly popular choice for organizations seeking software licensing solutions. In this section, we will explore this licensing agreement and explain why it is a top choice for many companies.
The Microsoft EA is a licensing agreement that allows organizations to purchase software licenses in bulk at a discounted price. This agreement covers a wide range of Microsoft products and services, including Microsoft Office, Windows operating system, and server software.
One of the major benefits of Microsoft EA is that it offers predictable costs for businesses. The agreement is structured in a way that enables businesses to plan their software budget years in advance, which helps them to manage their finances better. Additionally, the EA offers flexibility to businesses by allowing licenses to be reassigned to different devices within the organization, which helps them to save money and optimize the use of their assets.
Overall, Microsoft EA is an ideal solution for organizations that want predictable software costs, flexibility, and a wide range of products to meet their business needs.
Overview of Microsoft EA
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is a program that provides cost-effective solutions for organizations worldwide. It spans 3 years and offers flexible payment, simple license management, and discounts on Microsoft products.
EA has 2 options: Enterprise Subscription Agreement (EAS) and Online Services Terms (OST). EAS includes more than 100 apps and OST has cloud-services like Office 365 and Azure.
Organizations must meet certain criteria to be eligible, such as OEM purchases, licensing software to other companies, or through SPLA. Coverage depends on the chosen option. EAS grants access across all devices, while OST works in the cloud only.
Furthermore, an enterprise-wide desktop platform is required with a minimum of user licenses.
All in all, Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is an effective solution for organizations looking to manage their licensing.
Benefits of Microsoft EA for organizations
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is a licensing program that offers lots of advantages to organizations. These include flexibility, simplified license management, cost savings and optimized software licensing.
EA gives organizations the option to tailor their software procurement. Through one agreement for all Microsoft products used in the company, managing licenses is easier. Also, EA offers volume discount pricing for predicted software use. This is cheaper than other licensing programs on the market. Volume licenses, bundling purchases and reduced deployment costs lower indirect IT costs, increasing efficiency and optimizing software spending.
Organizations get access to EA benefits if they have made previous OEM purchases or are using ISV. They get full support functions from ISVs and RLPs, new feature updates and services throughout the subscription.
In North America, one-third of businesses chose EA. They found it the most flexible and scalable, with cash flow improvements compared to other options. This reduced IOC, allowing them to adjust employees’ tech requirements quickly in emergencies.
To sum up, Microsoft EA has lots of advantages for organizations, which are essential for achieving operational and financial goals.
Licensing options available under Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licensing offers different licensing options based on the needs and requirements of the organization. In this section, we will discuss the available licensing options and focus on two important sub-sections, namely Enterprise Subscription Agreement and Online Services Terms.
Enterprise Subscription Agreement
The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) gives organizations different licensing options. One of these is the Enterprise Subscription Agreement. This allows organizations to subscribe to Microsoft products and services flexibly and affordably.
Organizations must commit to a minimum number of users or devices. They can increase this when needed. They get access to the latest cloud-based offerings like Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power BI Pro.
The Enterprise Subscription Agreement is mainly for large organizations with over 250 users or devices. It offers more than conventional licensing options. Organizations can adjust their subscriptions easily based on their needs.
Overall, the agreement is cost-effective and provides flexibility. It includes online services terms to give everyone access to SaaS.
Online Services Terms
Microsoft’s Online Services Terms offer a range of plans for organizations. They can pick the one that fits their needs. They can also add or remove services and adjust the number of licenses. This makes it easier to deploy cloud-based services to all employees.
Note: The Online Services Terms have a one year minimum commitment. Subscription renewal is needed after this period. But, no extra fees for new features. Organizations can take advantage of the latest tech without worrying about more expenses.
Eligibility criteria for Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (MEA) licensing allows businesses to access Microsoft software licenses in a cost-effective manner. However, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria before making a purchase. This section will focus on the eligibility criteria and requirements to participate in the MEA program. We will provide insights on eligibility requirements for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Purchases, Independent Software Vendors (ISV), and Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA).
OEM purchases, ISV, SPLA
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement provides licensing based on three criteria – OEM purchases, Independent Software Vendor (ISV), and Services Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA). To qualify for an Enterprise Agreement License, organizations must meet certain requirements.
A table in the agreement compares the licensing options. It shows the commitments/coverage needed for each option. For example, OEM licenses come pre-installed on devices before distribution. ISV involves licensing of software from third-party vendors. SPLA offers Microsoft’s products/services to users via hosting/outsourcing.
OEM, ISV, and SPLA have their own eligibility requirements. For instance, OEM needs hardware/software compliance. ISV vendors must fulfill programmatic requirements. SPLA requires monthly payments that vary with usage and selections.
Organizations need to evaluate their eligibility criteria before choosing a licensing option. Each option has specific conditions that may affect how they use Microsoft products/services. Thus, to get the best from the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, the right licensing option must be chosen.
Commitment and coverage under Microsoft EA
Organizations must commit to a certain amount of licenses and coverage for a set time frame with the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement License. This commitment provides cost-effective volume licensing, giving access to all Microsoft software and services. It is tailored to meet an organization’s individual needs and requirements.
The “true-up” process is a unique feature of the Microsoft EA. It allows organizations to adjust their licenses within the agreement term. So, they can have the exact amount of licenses they need. This makes the Microsoft EA amongst the most versatile licensing agreements. Organizations get access to the latest updates and upgrades with the agreement, offering them the latest Microsoft technology.
Licenses available under Microsoft EA
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) offers a range of licenses. These give businesses rights to use Microsoft software and services. Three types of licenses are available: Enterprise, Select, and Select Plus.
The Enterprise Agreement license is best for big organizations. It provides comprehensive licensing options. The Select license is more flexible with software purchasing. To get even more control, the Select Plus license is the choice.
Microsoft EA allows businesses to mix and match licenses for different products. This gives more freedom to fit their licensing to their needs. Some features include one agreement for all Microsoft products, simpler license management and lower admin costs.
Microsoft EA was created in 2001 after customers asked for a more flexible and comprehensive license. Since then, EA has added more options for businesses of all sizes and industries. Microsoft EA gives businesses accessible, flexible and tailored licensing solutions.
Comparison of Microsoft Enterprise Agreement with other licensing options
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement has lots of benefits for customers. To compare these advantages to other licensing options, take a look at this table:
| Licensing Option | Cost Savings | Options for Optimization | Flexibility in Managing Licenses | Simplicity in Managing Licenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Enterprise Agreement | Most | Available | Available | Available |
| Other Options | Less | Limited | Limited | Limited |
The table shows that Microsoft Enterprise Agreement has the most cost savings, options for optimization, flexibility and simplicity in managing licenses.
Plus, Microsoft Enterprise Agreement allows you to customize your solutions, quickly deploy software and services, and get access to the newest technologies. To learn more about Microsoft Enterprise Agreement’s benefits, it’s best to take a look at its agreements. However, this table emphasizes that Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is the best choice.
Life cycle of Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement has a lifecycle of great importance for any organization. This lifecycle has several stages with an effect on licensing, compliance, and costs. To better understand it, a table with three columns – Stage, Description, and Impact – may be created. Five stages make up this lifecycle.
| Stage | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Purchase | Organizations choose the right level of the Enterprise Agreement, select products and services, and sign the agreement. | – |
| True-up and Renewal | Yearly, organizations can add or remove licenses or change them. | – |
| Mid-term Additions | Allows organizations to add more products and services during an ongoing agreement. | – |
| Migration | Involves switching to a new licensing structure. | – |
| End of Agreement | Organizations decide whether to renew, migrate, or let the agreement expire. | – |
The Understanding the lifecycle of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement helps organizations prevent compliance issues and optimize costs. To improve it, organizations should think about consolidating purchases, identifying optimization areas, and monitoring license usage regularly. Doing this lets them get the most from the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, reduces non-compliance risk, and optimizes costs.
Conclusion and additional resources
Understand Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licensing. Reference the Microsoft Volume Licensing website. Get guidance from Microsoft’s Licensing Solution Partners. Remain informed of licensing agreement changes. Join the Microsoft Software Assurance program. Get exclusive benefits like training, support, and notifications. Microsoft offers documentation, videos, and webinars on enterprise agreement licensing. Consider enlisting a licensing consultant for strategic advice and support. Avoid costs and optimize software usage with proper guidance. Explore Microsoft’s offerings, consult professionals.
Five Facts About Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licensing: An In-Depth Look:
- ✅ The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is a licensing agreement that allows businesses to purchase a specified number of licenses for Microsoft products for a fee. (Source: https://www.schneider.im/faq/microsoft-enterprise-agreement/)
- ✅ The EA is a flexible option for companies that require a large number of licenses and provides centralized administration and simplification of license management. (Source: https://www.schneider.im/faq/microsoft-enterprise-agreement/)
- ✅ The Enterprise Agreement provides the most comprehensive choice from the Microsoft price list for cloud services, traditional licenses, support, and maintenance. (Source: https://samexpert.com/what-is-a-microsoft-enterprise-agreement/)
- ✅ The agreement has a barrier to entry, as organizations with less than 500 employees do not qualify. (Source: https://samexpert.com/what-is-a-microsoft-enterprise-agreement/)
- ✅ The Enterprise Agreement is for organizations that want to license software and cloud services for a minimum three-year period, with built-in savings ranging from 15% to 45%. (Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/licensing-programs/enterprise)
FAQs about Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licensing: An In-Depth Look
What is a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
A Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is a licensing agreement that allows businesses to purchase a specified number of licenses for Microsoft products for a fee. It is a flexible option for companies that require a large number of licenses and provides centralized administration and simplification of license management. The EA allows licensing of a wide range of Microsoft products, including products from the Microsoft 365 family, servers, and developer tools.
Who is eligible for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
Businesses with 500 or more users or devices are eligible for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. Microsoft is expected to raise the bar to about 2400 seats.
What are the licensing options available under the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
The agreement offers different licenses: Core CAL or Enterprise CAL for users or devices and server licenses for data centers. Some products and services are not available in the Enterprise Agreement, and the best place to check availability is on the Microsoft Product Terms website.
What is the commitment required under the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
The Enterprise Agreement requires a three-year commitment, with renewal options. There is a subscription option that lowers initial licensing costs and allows for annual increases or decreases in subscription counts.
How can I get the best pricing under the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
Additional savings and benefits can be obtained through Enterprise and Server and Cloud Enrollments. The enrollment agreement structure allows for easy addition of new products and services.
What is the life cycle of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement?
The Enterprise Agreement has a life cycle and additional savings can be accessed through enrollment in different agreement structures such as the Enterprise Subscription Agreement (EAS). Built-in savings range from 15% to 45% and payments can be spread out over three years.