Microsoft Select Licensing

[bonjour]

Just a quick query regarding Microsoft Select licensing.

 

Our MSP, through which we have purchased all of our Microsoft licenses, has said that our Microsoft Select server and client licenses will only remain valid as long as we continue to use their management software. If we wish to remove their management software, then they say we have to have the reinstallation done by them in order for the licenses to remain valid.

 

Any information or clarification on this would be much appreciated, as this would total a tidy sum.

 

Cheers.

[CAWJames]

Do you not have an MS agreement number?

 

Do you have access to the MS VLSC(Volume Licensing Service Center)?

 

As far as I know, you just set up access to the VLSC and add your agreements.

 

I've never heard of a 3rd party management system for MS licenses.

 

James

[bonjour]

Just to clarify, the 'management software' is to help manage the network - GPO's, desktops and such. It's not to manage the licenses themselves.

[CAWJames]

So they are saying that they gave you discounted licenses if you use their management system, and if you want to get rid of it, they will have to come in and uninstall it for you to keep the licenses valid?

 

I would confirm you have the licences showing in the VLSC and then tell them rollocks. As far as I know, resellers only act as middle men between you and microsoft. They have no hold over the licences.

 

James

[bonjour]

I don't want to name the company, suffice to say they are one of major providers of ICT to education.

 

I'd also say the original licenses were hardly 'discounted'. They seemed the regular educational price.

[CAWJames]

Do you have access to the MS VLSC and see the licences in it?

 

James

[Cache]

Sounds a lot like RM, I remember another thread on here about it...

 

Edit: try these

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/behind-red-door/102163-insert-swear-word-here-ing-rm.html

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/network-classroom-management/77222-software-migration-cc3-another-provider.html

Edited May 10, 2013 by Cache

[truebluesteve]

The details are very vague in my head but to get some of the better deals when buying MS licenses the company who sold them to you are supposed to install them too. The license belongs to you but its a way a getting a better price.

 

I suspect this is what is going on here but I could be completely wrong! I would get clarification and the costs for the reinstall. I'm not sure if you could just pay the difference between the costs of the licenses - which could be much cheaper than paying them!

[bonjour]

Exceedingly useful.

 

Thanks all for your help.

[bonjour]

An update to this. Our MSP claims to have received this response from Microsoft:

 

“The nature of the NAACE agreement does mean that license keys cannot be shared with customers. As you have suggested, only xxx is able to access the keys and pre-install them on a customer’s devices. The reason for this is because under the NAACE agreement there is only 1 x ARF (Affiliated Registration Form) aligned to xxx rather than 1 x ARF per school. It would be inappropriate therefore to pass keys on or allow schools to access VLSC (Volume Licensing Service Centre) as they would have visibility of all the licensed schools under the xxx ARF rather than just being able to view and access their own.

 

However, the customer does still own the licenses acquired under the agreement. This needs to be managed by xxx as there is no visibility of each school’s licensing on Microsoft systems as all NAACE licensing is consolidated under a single ARF. Part of the terms and conditions of the NAACE agreement are for the EdLAR (Educational Large Account Reseller) to maintain accurate records of the participating schools’ licensing. All installs/ reinstalls and key requirements must be carried out solely by xxx”

[KeithMPhoenix]

Ok - agree with the detail about VLSC , there are a number of aggregator frameworks out there that can work the same way and consequently there is no VLSC access, however not sure I agree as to why they will not provide you the keys.