In simple terms Microsoft licensing enables organisations to run software on multiple systems at an affordable price

When you purchase a license you pay for only that, rather than receiving a boxed packaged piece of software with CD-rom and instructions in seperate packaging, licensing eliminates the physical elements of the boxed product and you of course have the option to acquire additional software and media as it is required throughout the license period.

Microsoft offer the following licensing options, the amount of software required to be licensed will determine the best package to choose:

Open Licensing - for smaller organisations with more than 5 computers to license

Select & Enterprise Licensing - for larger organisations

Education Licensing - for government recognised educational institutions

Software Assurance - is an optional extra that you are able to purchase as part of your software agreement. Software assurance enables you to receive latest software updates, allowing you to make the most out of your software agreement. Software Assurance also provides you with telephone support, training and useful IT tools. You can start receiving the benefits of Software Assurance at anytime throughout your license period or start gaining the benefits from the very start.