Press release
Tech Data has made a significant investment in updating its market-leading Licensing OnLine (LOL) system to provide resellers with access to the full range of flexible options that are now available under Microsoft's updated Open Value annuity licensing program.
Microsoft has implemented a number of key changes to the scheme and all of the revised options will be fully available through LOL. Tech Data is the only distributor in Europe to provide Microsoft Partners with the flexibility of accessing the full Microsoft Open Value program available through its on-line systems.
A number of changes to the Open Value program have been made with a view to giving resellers more flexibility when selecting and ordering Microsoft Licenses. It is now possible to order both Microsoft Desktop Professional and Microsoft Desktop Standard products on the same license and to increase the number of licenses held under a company-wide agreement for a particular product without creating a new order. Additional Microsoft products can also be added to an existing order.
In addition, Microsoft has introduced a special one-year agreement for government customers. This will enable resellers to offer customers standard Microsoft Open Value licences while enabling government customers to meet their obligations to only commit to any annuity-based contract for a maximum of 12 months.
The final change sees support for all language versions of Microsoft products being introduced under Open Value and the removal of language options from Open Value price lists.
Commenting on the additions Bert Schep, Group Manager Software EMEA for Tech Data Europe, states: "These enhancements to Microsoft Open Value provide more flexibility and convenience for Microsoft Partners and for end user customers. They enable the reseller to focus on meeting the needs of the customer and reduce complexity for everyone involved. As the only distributor to provide the complete Microsoft Open Value program on-line, Tech Data has a responsibility to both Microsoft and its partners, to provide these updates in full. Tech Data has invested considerable time and resource in ensuring we can offer the benefits of these changes to resellers from day one of their availability."
The changes should encourage more resellers to make use of the licensing program, says Schep. "These changes make Open Value simpler and easier to understand and by using the system through LOL, resellers can add more value to the customer as well, as they can always be sure that they are selecting the right program for the customer. They can also clearly demonstrate the value and added return on investment that purchasing an Open Value license delivers. From the customer's perspective, Open Value provides excellent ROI and guaranteed price protection for the duration of the agreement."
In addition to the new Open Value options, LOL will also reflect the change in name of Microsoft's Open Volume program to Open Business 500+ on LOL. Schep notes that it is important to understand that this is simply a change to the name of this program and that all other terms and conditions and options remain unchanged. There are also no changes to the MOLP Academic or GOLP schemes.
Microsoft Office Professional, Small Business and Enterprise editions, Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) are all available under the Microsoft Open Value scheme through Tech Data's Licensing OnLine system.
