Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP)

What is MOLP (Microsoft Open License Program)?

A Microsoft software licensing program for small to mid-sized businesses with 5 to 1000 PCs on their network. Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP) provides flexible volume licensing that reduces costs associated with purchasing, upgrading, and maintaining Microsoft software. MOLP is a two-year agreement that facilitates compliance with licensing and simplifies the tracking and management of licenses.

How it works

MOLP has three license pools based on product area:

• Applications:
  Includes Microsoft Office, Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft Visual Basic, and so on

   

• Systems:
  Includes Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation, and so on

   

• Servers:
  Includes Windows NT Server, Microsoft BackOffice Server, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and so on

   

License pools are managed separately. Points are assigned to each deployment of a product. The number of points you accumulate in each pool determines the discount you receive for licenses in that pool over the two-year program. More points mean greater discounts, and the bigger the initial licensing purchase, the bigger the discount over the two-year period. Generally, one point equals one license. For example, one deployment of Windows NT is 15 points, while one deployment of Office is 2 points.

License types include the following:

• Standard:
  No previous version of the software is on the machine.

   

• Version upgrade (VUP):
  You purchase licenses to upgrade software.

   

• Competitive upgrade (CUP):
  You purchase licenses to upgrade a competitor’s software to Microsoft’s version.

   

• Product upgrade (PUP):
  You purchase licenses for upgrades such as Office 97 Standard to Office 97 Professional.

   

MOLP delivers client access licenses (CALs) through a secure Web site. This Web site also maintains the client’s database of licensing information.

Web References

• Microsoft Licensing