Subscription or Perpetual?
Microsoft through SAM UK offers two methods of licensing software for educational use.
We know from experience how important it is for academic institutions to maximise their resources and our sales team will only ever recommend
a package that is tailored exactly to your needs.
| Subscription | Why you might choose it |
| - There is no up-front cost,
just a lower annual fee. - You are automatically entitled to upgrades and new versions. - The costs are based on the numbers of computers (School Agreement) or FTE staff (Campus Agreement), making it easy to budget and administer. Changes during each annual period are automatically licensed. -You can select a one- or three-year contract, fixing the price in advance. - Can be extended to cover students’ own computers. |
|
| Why you might not | |
| - You must pay your
subscription fee each year. - You must license ALL of your computers in your establishment. - If you decide to end your subscription, you must either stop using the software or pay a fee for the perpetual licence. This is explained in more detail in the relevant section. - If you never upgrade your software, a subscription will cost more over 5 years. |
|
| Perpetual | Why you might choose it |
| - For a single fee,
you have the right to use the software for ever. - Decision-making on software purchases can be more easily devolved to departments. - You can license as few or as many of your computers as you wish. - It will cost less over 5 years if you never upgrade your software. |
|
| Why you might not | |
| - You are not entitled
to upgrades and new versions unless you have
also purchased the annual Software Assurance
subscription. - It costs more initially to buy a perpetual licence. - Future costs are less predictable. - You must manage and record multiple licence purchases to ensure compliance. |
|
Call us now on 020 7193 5335 to discuss licensing options with one of our experienced advisors.
