Microsoft Volume License Keys and Open License Purchase Process
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Contents |
Before you begin
I do a lot of consulting for non-profit organisations. These organisations qualify for access to Microsoft Open License Purchases. This allows them to buy bulk copies of software from companies like techsoup.com. If you own a non-profit that hasn't yet switched to an open source solution I suggest you check them out. This document was written as I went through the process of updating a clients VLK agreements with Microsoft. I wanted to detail this process just so people realize another reason why taking the chance to install an open source word processing system like open offices saves you from having to bring in an outside consultant just to handle the validity of the software on your network.
Visit eOpen Site
First thing you must do is visit https://eopen.microsft.com and sign up for an account. Make sure you notice the s on the link indicating its secure. Its seems like the IIS server microsft has its website running on hasn't been configured to handle a redirect from a non-secure request for the eopen site. You might be lucky enough to have a client that already has an account, but I doubt you will be lucky enough that they remember the password. So you'll probably just have to make one anyways. Click the Sign-in button on the eopen main page and follow the process.
First Login to eOpen
Upon attaining a valid email and password combination for the site you can now login and update your profile information. As of February, 2007 this was done by click the MyProfile link in the top nav bar.
Add Agreement
Now inorder to get to this section a couple things have to have happened. Firstly you will have had to purchased the Licenses and attained a copy of hte Microsoft Open License Purchase Order Confirmation. This will give you the following information that we will require to add an agreement.
Authorization Number: License Number:
Enter this information on the Add Agreement page and then click the "Add to view" button.
Accepting your Agreement
This step caused me quite a bit of agony. Hidden at the very very bottom of the agreement if you take the time to look through it is a spot where they request you accept the agreement. The text reads something like this
Acceptance
I have read and understand the above terms and conditions. As an authorized representative of the company or organization identified in the online records (as defined in the above), I acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.
You must then type in your name and click accept. Until you have done this step your not technically in the agreement so they can't provide you with the VLKs. After I agreed to the agreement I was suprised to see all the VLK information show up. I wasn't even required to go into the licensing site.
Agreement Summary
After adding the new agreement and remember to ACCEPT IT!! you will be taken the to agreement summary page. This page lets you see the history of your agreements. Now that you've added you agreement and accepted it your VLKs should show up in the eOpen site.
Obtaining VLK
VLKs should now be listed in the eOpen site for you to print or copy. Make sure you keep these on file so your consultant doesn't have to go through this whole process from scratch.
In Closing
I hope going through this process shows just another way free and open source software can benefit our world. Apart from doing away with all this type of hassle just to use a piece of software you've already purchased.
