Microsoft steps up its licensing program

The gradual decline in the illegal copying of software was partly attributed to the strong enforcement of the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Code and the ongoing campaign by large software vendors led by Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Microsoft has launched two new volume-licensing programs for academic institutions and businesses. Medium to large enterprises could avail of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement 200 (EA 200), a three year agreement that gives opportunities for companies to acquire Microsoft licenses at competitive price. Companies with 200 personal computers or more can enroll in the program.

Sam Jacoba II, Microsoft Philippines Business Development Manager said that EA 200 is a unique licensing model for companies available in Asia only.

Companies can order from Microsoft's authorized large account resellers and get the latest versions of Microsoft products at discounted prices within the three year agreement. Millennium Technologies and Lamco International are the authorized distributors for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licenses for new PCs which Microsoft gives to them 40 percent lower in price.

Tech Pacific is Microsoft's major distributor in the country, while the large account resellers include PhilData, Compulab, MISNet and Mannasoft.

Schools are given a 60 percent discount on Microsoft products with a minimum of 10 licenses at an estimated price of $40 per PC. The Microsoft School Agreement (MSA) is the first subscription-licensing model to be launched in the Philippines, specially created to address the computing needs of primary, secondary and tertiary schools by giving them 12 months to pay for the Microsoft products.

Jacoba said that the more PCs being standardized on Microsoft products, the more savings that companies would receive. The agreement also reduces a company's license compliance risk and protects customers from price increases throughout the three-year agreement period which could be extended to four years.

The Enterprise Agreement also helps companies cut on their training and support costs, while improving communications throughout the organization.

The program also provides a consistent platform to build and deploy custom applications within the enterprise. It also offers a flexible way to standardize on the following core Microsoft products - Office Standard, Windows NT Workstation or Windows 98, Windows NT Client Access License and any other Server Client Access License.

The EA also gives upgrade rights to each of the platform products for the entire three years of the agreement.