Enterprise Subscription Agreements are typically for businesses with a need to standardize their Microsoft software and with a minimum of 250 PCs. What are the benefits? Some of the benefits include: savings for a 3-year agreement and included software assurance.
The drawbacks? Software available is limited to: Office Professional Plus, Office Enterprise, Windows Vista Business Upgrade, Core Client Access License, and Enterprise CAL Suite, which includes the Core CAL plus seven additional CALs: Office SharePoint Enterprise CAL, Office Communications Server Standard and Enterprise CALs, Exchange Enterprise CAL, Forefront™ Security Suite, Operations Manager Client OML, and Windows Rights Management Server CAL.
The Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreements are ideal for companies that are only looking to subscribe to software licenses versus acquiring them on their own. And, the SA benefits are quite comprehensive. Obviously, not available to all business as there is a minimum PC requirement, subscription agreements make sense for those who only require basic Microsoft software applications and don’t plan to make significant changes over the course of three years.
If you fit the bill, it’s a smart move and a great way to keep software licensing compliance inline.