Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EAS)

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is the most optimal offer of Microsoft corporation for the large organizations worldwide, ready to select the Microsoft platform as the corporate standard. Within agreements the EA company licenses basic products of Microsoft for all used PCs, at the same time payment is made in the form of annual payments. The customer can use the selected products on all computers, including on territorially remote and also on the new PCs added during the term of the agreement. Within the agreement of the license are purchased in permanent use with the right of licensing of additional products. During operation of the agreement the packet of additional free services according to the Software Assurance program – training in the certified training centers, technical support of server products, the right to use Office on the home PC, a subscription to TechNet Plus and many other things is provided to the customer. One of key advantages which is received by the customer – simplification of the scheme of licensing and reduction of risk of non-licensed use of the software.

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) and Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EAS) - the programs of corporate licensing intended for the organizations with number of computers from 250, ready to select the Microsoft platform as the corporate standard. Within agreements of Enterprise Agreement and Enterprise Agreement Subscription the organization licenses basic products of Microsoft for all used PCs, at the same time payment is made in the form of annual payments.

Treat basic products:

• Microsoft Windows Pro Upgrade;
• Microsoft Windows Pro Upgrade c MDOP;
• Microsoft Office Professional Plus или/и Office Enterprise;
• A set of client licenses for access to servers of Microsoft (Core CAL Suite or Enterprise CAL Suite).

The organizations are given an opportunity to license all set of three products - the so-called Desktop Platform platform - or each of basic products separately and during all duration of the agreement to use most current releases of the selected products (the right of Software Assurance is put in the cost of licenses).

The main difference between the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Subscription programs is that within the first agreement of the license are purchased in permanent use, and the second assumes use of the licensed software only during the term of the agreement. Thus, Enterprise Agreement is, in essence, acquisition of software products by installments whereas Enterprise Agreeement Subscription suits the organizations preferring to rent on profitable terms software more, entering an annual payment for its use.

Advantages of Enterprise Agreement and Enterprise Agreement Subscription Decrease in total cost of ownership. Payment is made in the form of annual payments that allows to avoid large one-time investments into acquisition of the software. Standardization on the Microsoft platform leads to significant reducing costs for training and user support. Possibility of use of most current releases of products of Microsoft (Software Assurance). There is no need to trace the used versions that leads to reduction of administrative expenses and unplanned expenditure for acquisition of new versions.

Reduction of risk of non-licensed use of the software. During the term of the agreement Enterprise Agreement your company acquires the right to use licensed products on all computers included in the agreement and to add new computers during the term of the agreement, placing orders for new licenses in process of the beginning of use of these licenses or in anniversary of the agreement. An opportunity to completely control expenses on acquisition of the software. The cost of licenses counting on one PC remains to a constant during all duration of the agreement, and automatic switch-on of the option Software Assurance allows to be insured from possible price increase in connection with a release of new versions.

2016: Microsoft increases the minimum quantity of the PC for agreements of Enterprise Agreement

In March, 2016 the Microsoft corporation announced entering of important change into the program of corporate licensing Enterprise Agreement. Since July 1, 2016 the minimum threshold for conclusion of an agreement of EA will increase from 250 up to 500 PCs.

On February 1, 2016 the Microsoft corporation took one more step in development of the strategy "Mobile devices and a cloud environment – first of all" ("Mobile first, Cloud first") which she announced in 2014. Requirements about increase in threshold value for the Enterprise Agreement program are directed to considerable simplification of agreements on corporate licensing. They will also shed light on the tangled procedure of obtaining licenses which often is exposed to criticism from clients and partners, being extremely difficult. The clients using less than 500 PCs will be able to sign the agreement of EA only till June 30, 2016. Since July 1, 2016 only the orders exceeding quantity in 500 PCs will be taken. The threshold will remain invariable in those countries where the agreement of Microsoft Products and Service Agreement (MPSA) is unavailable, for example, in China and India.

Why Microsoft makes changes to the Enterprise Agreement program?

According to Microsoft, the Enterprise Agreements program offers powerful benefits to the companies using more than 500 PCs. The companies less resort to the combined solutions more often or completely switch to a cloud environment, i.e. agreements of EA cease to conform to requirements.

When the change set in the agreement becomes effective also whom will mention?

Change will become effective on July 1, 2016 and will extend only to clients entrepreneurs and only in those markets in which the agreement of Microsoft Products and Service Agreement (MPSA) is available.

What will be with the current clients who do not correspond to the minimum threshold in 500 PCs?

There are two options of actions which the clients who already signed the agreement of Enterprise Agreement can undertake: first, they have the right to single prolongation of the agreement of EA up to 36 months; secondly, they can select the program of alternative corporate licensing.

What alternative solutions are proposed by Microsoft to the clients who do not conform to the requirement about the minimum threshold in 500 PCs?

The company using from 250 to 499 PCs applies for conclusion of an agreement of Microsoft Products and Service Agreement (MPSA). This program exists since 2014, regularly offering flexibility and transparency which the companies of such size need. It provides signing of the only agreement acting as a basis for obtaining all software licenses and decision making concerning a cloud environment. The software can be purchased with ease and then when it is really necessary. Besides, clients can purchase the license for intraeconomic activity or as the cloud solution or is combined.

The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program is one more alternative to the Enterprise Agreement program. This program is developed especially for the clients wishing to move all the data to a cloud environment.

Whether this change of state bodies and public sector will concern?

No. The minimum threshold in 250 PCs will remain in force for state bodies and public sector.