Microsoft Volume Licencing. Confused!!

[ranj]

Hi was wondering if someone could help me with a query

I think I might have a discrepency over Microsoft licencing where I work.

In the past we have purchased microsoft school agreements and this licenced us for a year.

Its due for renewal next month and a supplier alerted to me that the way schools agreement works is you need to have the original licences, so for example if we brought some machines in 2005, we still need to have the original paper licences, I know for a fact that we only have about half of the licences compared to machines. So I am correct in saying that I need to purchase some more of these licences before i buy renew schools agreement to ensure its all cosher.

If so does anyone know where i can buy windows 95 licences because the supplier said these would be fine and would make it eligible to get the upgrade for the volume licencing.
Thanks

[Heebeejeebee]

I don't think you can get W95 any more but you can buy XP Home and then use your MS Agreement to install Pro. Remember that you will have to "downgrade" again if you stop using the MS Agreement (unless you pay a huge fee) so it might be best to just purchase Pro in the first place.

W95 is a qualifying product though.

Has this happened because machines have been purchased without an OS in order to save a few quid?

HBJB

[adent]

I don't think it is an issue as long as you have proof of purchase - i.e. you can dig out a copy of the original invoice from the archives.

Be careful though - If we are talking about Windows 95 licenses those machines would be 7-8 years old and therefore clearly not capable - Unless the original product is a full box retail product and not OEM you are in difficulty. OEM licenses can not be transfered to another computer - when the kit dies - the license dies with it.

If you want more clarification give Steve Barnes a call on 0845 8686830 - option 2 - he's just passed his Certified Licensing Specialist exams. If he can't help then our MS account manager should be able to.

[alonebfg]

i have had this issue if you have the coa (the sticker on the machine) it not a problem but if you dont you will need proof of purchase if this fail you can buy a licance under the schools agreement ie xp and if you have 95 installed its covered. ie when you renew your aggreement it will be vista but i know for a fact you dont have to install vista as i know a lot of people wont. i hope this helps.

[DMcCoy]

i have had this issue if you have the coa (the sticker on the machine) it not a problem but if you dont you will need proof of purchase if this fail you can buy a licance under the schools agreement ie xp and if you have 95 installed its covered. ie when you renew your aggreement it will be vista but i know for a fact you dont have to install vista as i know a lot of people wont. i hope this helps.

Slight clarification on this :P

Schools agreement gives you downgrade rights, each machine must have a qualifiying product already licensed to it as there are no full XP/Vista licenses (they are only upgrades) under any volume agreement. I have posted a pdf previously that lists the products that qualify under schools agreement.

If you are going to build machines for example, you will need to factor in at least £100 for an OEM windows license. Then you have to decided if building your own computers really is cheaper or not. We buy all of ours now, usually with xp pro oem.

[budgester]

If you want more clarification give Steve Barnes a call on 0845 8686830 - option 2 - he's just passed his Certified Licensing Specialist exams. If he can't help then our MS account manager should be able to.

How ridiculous is it that there is even such a thing. Certified Licensing Specialist, shouldn't this be "lawyer".

Regards

Budgester

[plexer]

Why is it ridiculous just like you can be a specialist in their os etc... there licensing is so complex you can get a microsoft cert in giving the correct advice.

Remember this is microsoft anything is possible.

Ben

[john]

I have a friend that is an MS Licencing Specialist, it takes a lot of work to get the certificate as it is a minefield. There job is to get you the best licence scheme for what you want and need, not just to sell you the licence at the biggest cost to you.

[GrumbleDook]

I treat this sort of thing as a similar role to a policeman. You are not a lawyer but still expect to know all the rules and regulations and make sure everyone is safe and doing things properly ...