Should I buy OEM software with my new PC just to get the Up-to-date discount through Open Value Subscription?

This was a question I received last week in Miami that I thought was intriguing to see how people were evaluating the use of Open Value Subscription for their clients. The question was, “If my client is buying new PCs and looking at Open Value Subscription, should I have them buy OEM software on the new PCs so they can take advantage of the 50% Up-to-date discount through Open Value Subscription?”

The answer to this question is two-fold, depending on what software you are talking about and here’s what I mean by that:

1) Windows Desktop Operating System – Since full Windows Desktop Operating System licenses are only available through OEM licensing with a new PC or through Retail Box (FPP) licensing (only Windows Desktop Operating System Upgrade licenses are offered through Volume Licensing), then for the new PCs being purchased, you should definitely order the PCs with a qualifying Desktop Operating System license to take advantage of the Up-to-date discount through Open Value Subscription (such as Windows Vista Business).

2) Microsoft Office – Since Microsoft Office full licenses are offered through the Open Value Subscription Program as Enterprise products, you would be better off in this scenario to not buy the OEM Office license for your new PCs and just acquire your full Microsoft Office licenses through Open Value Subscription. Even without being able to take advantage of the Up-to-date discount, your client would save money by acquiring their full Microsoft Office licenses through Open Value Subscription rather than first acquiring OEM Office licenses, then acquiring them through Open Value Subscription with the Up-to-date discount.

So to sum it up, for your Microsoft Desktop Operating System licenses, purchase the initial qualifying full license with your new PC purchase as an OEM Microsoft Windows License. From there, you can add the Open Value Subscription coverage for them with the Up-to-date discount.

For programs where the full license is available through Open Value Subscription, like Microsoft Office, purchase your initial full licenses through the Open Value Subscription program without the Up-to-date discount and without first purchasing an OEM Microsoft Office License.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman
Microsoft US Senior Manager
Small Business Community Engagement
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

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