Question About Microsoft Licensing...

[heffe734]

Hey guys,

I currently have a business that does CAD software for apparel designers and supply chain management software for apparel manufacturers. We're looking to expand our business a little by building systems and selling them with our software. I was wondering what kind of licensing program or option is used by most system builders or ppl in the computer business...and i was wondering if you guys know anything the pricing (generally speaking of course) for acquiring such licenses. I checked the Microsoft site...but it just left more confused. Any general advice or information would be appreciated...(perhaps a crash course on licensing 101? - stuff like how to acquire, best options, pricing, etc, etc, etc)

Thanks in advance fellow anandtechers...

 

[spyordie007]

I know there is a system builders licensing program but dont know what the restrictions are and didnt see information readily apparent on the MS site about it.

You may have to call an MS sales office to get the details you need:
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/info/usaoffices/default.asp

-Erik

 

[Sianath]

**whispers loudly "Sales offices are useless!" **

Pre-Sales and Licensing: 800-426-9400

If you plan on building the machine and including the OS when you sell the machine, the cheapest way for you to do it would be to include an OEM copy of the OS with the machine you sell.

You can order directly from one of our OEM distributers to obtain the OEM product.
- http://members.microsoft.com/partner/usa/licensing/distributors/oem.aspx

Your customers can always purchase retail and you can install it for them, or if you are doing SERVERS (different if it's a client-side OS) your customer can purchase a VL agreement and you can install the software for them on your machines. The reason this is different from the OEM option for client-side OSs is because the client-side VL product is licensed as an upgrade only, so you cannot install it on a naked OS.

Again, hit that number I listed above for a complete explanation and walk-through if you want it. It's what they are there for.

 

[heffe734]

thanks for the prompt responses everyone! Anything else i should know?