Microsoft Open License purchasing moves to Cloud Solution Providers

Change allows for greater flexibility, making it a fully digital purchase process
directly available from Certified Microsoft Partners, like In the Cloud Technologies!

Purchases through the outgoing Open License program ending December 31, 2021

To provide a consistent and simplified purchase experience, Microsoft has introduced a new streamlined way to buy, with the goal of greater flexibility in how and where a Customer Agreement is available. This agreement, officially referred to as the ‘Microsoft Customer Agreement’ is now available to purchase through a newly created fully digital agreement.

This agreement replaces the need to purchase through a variety of official licensing programs / attendants and redistributes the selling opportunity to Certified Microsoft partners.

Termed a “perpetual software license,” it now involves using a new commerce experience, developed so a small or midsized customer can now buy software licenses from partners participating in the Cloud Solution Provider program. What’s exciting is that each agreement is presented, accepted, and stored through a completely digital experience.
As an example, the new Microsoft Customer Agreement process goes like this:

• You determine where to purchase – Either directly from Microsoft or a partner like In the Cloud Tech.
• You work with this Microsoft / Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) to understand all possible options.
• You accept one straightforward agreement, one that’s always up to date and doesn’t expire.
• You simply accept the Customer Agreement and you’re ready to go.

This process was developed to greatly shortens the buying process by getting proposals from your Microsoft sales representative or partner, meaning there’s less administrative overhead and no lengthy paperwork required. It is currently available through sellers in the United States, as well as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Greece, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and all Western Europe.

For those who still have an Open License agreement, As of January 1, 2022, you won’t be able to buy new or renew software licenses or online services through the Microsoft Open License program, even if your agreement is still active.

To plan for future purchases, work with a partner like In the Cloud Technologies to help you decide the best next steps. We can offer guidance and the flexibility needed to address your hybrid use needs with both software licenses and cloud offers.

You can get software licenses with Software Assurance or renew Software Assurance through the Open Value program. Open Value offers are available now to commercial and government organizations, education and nonprofit, so you can make new purchases through Open Value.

Open Value is commonly the recommended program if you have a small to midsize organization with five or more desktop PCs and want to simplify license management, manage software costs, and get better control over your investment. It also includes Software Assurance, providing access to valuable benefits such as training, deployment planning, software upgrades, and product support help you boost the productivity of your entire organization.