Are You A Microsoft Open License Customer?

If so ... Changes are coming.

Microsoft have announced that as of January 1st 2022 the Open License Program will be withdrawn for its commercial customers.

From then on, if you're still wanting to procure perpetual software licenses you'll need to do so through a Cloud Solution Provider (which your current license partner might well already be).

What do you need to do?

All services, products, and offers in Open License program today will remain available until January 1, 2022. To plan for future purchases, ask the partner you’re currently buying software licenses from about your options. Your partner can help you decide the best steps for you, whether that’s new licenses or online services subscriptions. If you don't have one, you can Find a Microsoft partner.

Are there any other options available?

Yes - depending on what you want to purchase you can make use of the Open Value or the Open Value Subscription program:

• ​The Open Value program is recommended for future purchases that include Software Assurance.
• The Open Value Subscription program program doesn’t offer perpetual software licenses but is a lower-cost subscription that gives you rights to use the software during the agreement’s term and also includes Software Assurance.
  

Here's a reminder of the differences between the current programs:

So nothing alarming in this announcement, more just an evolution of a 20 year old program to align with Microsofts contemporary go to market structures. While 2022 might seem some time away you can be sure the changes will begin to emerge through 2021, so just something more to be aware of and prepare for in the ever changing world of software licensing!