Microsoft launches new software licensing for schools

Deal offers favourable licensing terms and more flexibility over use of open source, says Becta

Microsoft introduces better software licensing terms for schools

Microsoft has launched a new software licensing deal for schools which could generate significant savings on operating systems and office productivity software.

The Subscription Enrolment Schools Pilot (SESP) would provide schools who wish to use Microsoft software with improved opportunities to achieve greater value for money, according to Stephen Crowne, chief executive of the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), the organisation that advises schools on their IT plans.

"It will also make it easier for such schools to use a mix of proprietary and open source products as they see fit," said Crowne.

"It will be important that schools and local authorities who wish to use Microsoft software now review their perpetual or subscription licensing options in the light of this new flexibility."

Becta said SESP extends Microsoft’s existing School Agreement, and removes the requirement for schools to licence Microsoft products across their entire “eligible” IT estate.

As well as delivering more flexibility for schools, Becta said that SESP could generate cost savings by removing the need for schools that want to use a Microsoft subscription agreement to continue to pay the software giant to license systems that are beyond those which are required on the basis of educational need.

Also, systems running competitor technologies such as MacOS and Linux, operating systems and office productivity suites such as OpenOffice, or systems technically incapable of running the licensed software, or already licensed under other licensing options, will be removed from the current licensing system, according to Becta.

Dr Nicola Hodson, Microsoft's senior director for the UK public sector, said the supplier had worked with Becta over the last 12 months to develop the pilot of new licensing options for UK schools.

"The pilot provides expanded choices of subscription licences, which may benefit schools whether they currently buy Microsoft subscription or perpetual licences," she said.

SESP also gives UK schools a user-based licensing option allowing them to use the software at school and at home, although the cost for this option is based on pupil numbers. If activated institution-wide, it will provide also provide usage rights for teachers, non-teaching staff and governors.