Microsoft Open License

Microsoft Open License is an entry-level program that allows you to start using software immediately and pay as you go. Recommended for small organizations.

Your organization and qualified affiliates use a single identification number during the entire two-year agreement. And the pay-as-you-go model eliminates the need to forecast license purchases over the term of the agreement.

What Software Assurance can do for you

Boost productivity across your organization with new software versions, deployment planning services, 24x7 phone and web support, end-user training, unique desktop technologies and more, all in one cost-effective program.

Review the following feature comparison to help you determine which Microsoft Volume Licensing program is right for your organization.

Open License Comparison Table

Benefits		Open License	Open Value	Open Value Subscription
Minimum Number of Desktop PCs	any
	5+
	250+
Licensing Offerings Available	License	License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.
	License & Software Assurance	License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance available for renewals or for eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.	License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.	License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.
	Software Assurance	License, License and Software Assurance, and Software Assurance for renewals or eligible original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full packaged product (FPP) purchases.	License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.	License and Software Assurance and Software Assurance renewals.
Pricing	Based on Product Pools	Open Volume option incorporates product pools and points to establish the entry minimum for price advantage levels. An additional price point is offered to commercial organizations that purchase 500 points or more in a single product pool.
	Based on Employees
	Based on Desktop PCs	Open License: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.**	Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.	Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.
	Based on License & Software Assurance	Open Business: Requires five licenses to enter the program. Open Volume: Each product offering (License, Software Assurance, and License and Software Assurance) is assigned specific point values to determine price levels. Points are calculated based on three product pools, with a minimum entry acquisition level of 500 points; 1 in each chosen pool.**	Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.	Minimum of five License and Software Assurance orders.
Agreement Term	No Expiration
	1 Year			Government only one year option.
	2 Years	Two years, not renewable.
	3 Years		Three years, renewable.	Three years, renewable.
Payment Options	Up-front		Annual payments or up-front.	Annual payments or up-front.
	Monthly
	Annually		Annual payments or up-front.	Annual payments or up-front.
How to Buy	Direct
	Indirect	A broad reseller channel.	A broad reseller channel.	A broad reseller channel.
Product Fulfillment	Acquired Separately	Media must be acquired separately, from Microsoft Worldwide Fulfillment.
	Provided		One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost.	One copy of media is shipped free with initial order. Additional media and media for licensed products not in the initial order must be obtained separately at an additional cost.
Software Assurance	Option to Add	Option to add Software Assurance at the time of acquiring the license.
	Included		Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement.	Software Assurance is included at the time of acquiring the software license and can be used immediately throughout the term of the license agreement.
Online Services	Offered		Online Services*** offered.	Online Services*** offered.

** Level D pricing is available to entities that meet the threshold for the discount.

*** Online Services refer to applications hosted at Microsoft Data Centers whose client bits may or may not be installed locally. They are priced monthly and billed annually for the term of the agreement. For example, Office Live Meeting or Exchange Hosted Services.