Microsoft Open Value Subscription

[Chriss31]

Morning all

 

No doubt this has come up before but I'm hoping someone can explain Microsoft licencing models in a way that doesn't make me want to hurt myself.

 

I work in a primary school with 24 FTE employees. We currently have a Select Plus agreement in place with a reseller which I'm looking to end as I think it's overkill for our organisation.

 

I have been advised that an Open Value Subscription for Education Solutions agreement would be more suitable (and have received a quote) but was hoping to get a little more info before proceeding.

 

It hasn't actually been explained to me by the reseller what it is we get for this price in terms of licences, nor how I'd go about obtaining licences in future.

 

Can anyone offer advice firstly whether this would be the most suitable option and secondly how the model actually works in practice?

 

 

Many thanks

[tmcd35]

Select Plus - Perpetual licences. You purchase them once and they are yours for as long as you keep the equipment they were assigned to.

 

OVS-ES - Annual subscription. You pay an annual fee based on the number of full time employees and the software you want access to under the license. You can then install as many copies of said software as you like/need so long as you keep paying the annual fee.

 

Which is best?

 

Depends on the answer to two questions

 

The number of staff vs number of computers? You need significantly less staff than computers to make the subscription model work.

 

How often you upgrade your OS? You typically need to upgrade your core OS (XP -> Vista -> 7 -> etc) every 5 years or less. Any longer, typically if you skip a version (XP -> 7, skip Vista) then perpetual licencing might be cheaper in the long run, but more expensive up front.

 

If you add in other benefits like SCCM and anti-virus protection (SCCM Endpoint Protection) then most schools find the OVS-ES model cheaper, at least for client/desktop licencing.

Edited May 20, 2015 by tmcd35

[sonofsanta]

What you get: Windows and Office, mainly, and the server CALs you need to make use of Windows Servers for things like DHCP, AD etc. You also get the anti-virus System Centre Endpoint Protection included, though you need to run an SCCM server to really make use of that (I think you can roll it out without it, but you don't have the same control).

 

How it works: you get a log in to the Volume Licensing Service Centre if you've not already got one, you download your ISOs and get your licence keys from there.

 

Obtaining licences in future: you mean upping the number of staff? Just tell your reseller when your renewal comes around. If you mean new licences of Windows: quantity doesn't matter, you can deploy as many as you like whenever you like; versions, you're fully covered for all upgrade and downgrade rights. Upgrade when you want, not when you can afford it.

 

Is it worth it? Depends how many computers you have and how often you upgrade Windows and Office.

[sparkeh]

Personally I think it isn't just about which figure is lower. The freedom from licencing headaches you get with OVS is worth a lot as well.

 

Edit: Also have a fixed amount to pay every year really helps with forward planning.

Edited May 20, 2015 by sparkeh

[localzuk]

OVS-ES is a scheme that allows for the purchase of quite a few different licenses and license bundles. To know exactly what you're getting with your quote, you should speak to the reseller quoting you.

 

This is what I usually get under the scheme:

 

Desktop bundle - Windows Upgrade licenses, Office licenses, Server CALs, Sharepoint CAL, SCCM CM license, Endpoint protection license (plus some more but we don't use them)

Remote Desktop CALs

SQL Server licenses

Windows Server licenses

System Center Config Manager Server Management licenses.

[mjk]

Personally I think it isn't just about which figure is lower. The freedom from licencing headaches you get with OVS is worth a lot as well.

 

Edit: Also have a fixed amount to pay every year really helps with forward planning.

 

 

It doesn't help when your budget gets cut ! but lots of software is subscription based now.

[Chriss31]

Thanks to all who have replied, I feel I have a better understanding of the situation now.

 

Are there resellers who come recommended here? I'd like to get a few more quotes.

[localzuk]

IDNS and Softcat are the 2 we've used for the last few years.

[sparkeh]

I've used @Millgate who are excellent.