Microsoft
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QBS Software, a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner and a leading software supplier in the UK and Europe, has worked closely with Microsoft for more than 18 years to recommend, supply and support the entire Microsoft product range including Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft Small Business Server, Microsoft CRM, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office to small and medium–sized businesses in all industry sectors. QBS is able to provide Select and
Enterprise Licensing and the Microsoft Open
Licensing scheme.
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QBS is a Microsoft Authorised Education Reseller. More info
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Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a worldwide leader in software, services and solutions
that help people and businesses realse their full potential.
Fundamentals of Microsoft Licensing
If you purchase software pre-installed on a computer, known as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), then you don’t sign a contract or have a direct relationship with Microsoft. The company that sold you the software should be your first port of call for support.
If you buy boxed software, known as Full Packaged Product (FPP), we offer free "warranty" support to certain boxed software customers through the Microsoft support hotline.
Any business looking to buy more than five licences should consider a Volume Licensing agreement. These two or three year agreements represent good value for money for business customers; there is a range of agreements available, catering for different types of organisations.
Many businesses are now choosing to run software in a virtual environment. This means that operating systems and desktop applications are emulated, and don’t run directly on physical hardware. Virtualisation offers a number of benefits that reduce the total cost of IT ownership and help create a more agile infrastructure. These include server consolidation, easier software disaster recovery, hosting legacy applications and reducing downtime.
Hardware Refresh or Software Only?
You are likely to look at different licensing options when you’re upgrading your hardware as well as buying software. Different terms and condition apply to software use under FPP, OEM and Volume Licensing and we'll gladly discuss these carefully with you.
What Does A Licence Give You?
Unlike hardware such as computers or server units, which you can buy and own outright, software is sold through licence agreements. A Microsoft software licence gives you the right to use particular software and determines how it can be used.
Licences set out the rules that govern how you can deploy software, whether you can transfer software to other users and whether you can downgrade to earlier versions of the software. All licences come with one of two kinds of agreement that explain all the relevant terms and conditions.
Product Use Rights (PUR) relate to software licensed in quantity through a Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement. The PUR, together with the agreement under which your licence is acquired, governs the use of the software. If you’d like to look up your Product Use Rights, click here.