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There are no more items in your cartSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Colombia have a wide range of licensing options available to them Microsoft. Each type of license has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the right one for your business.
In this article, we explain the different types of licensing Microsoft available to SMEs in Colombia (CSP, ESD, ROK, OEM, and OPEN). We help you choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
CSP (Cloud solution provider) licensing
Cloud solution provider (CSP) subscription licensing refers to the solution provider in the nube and is the Microsoft s most popular type of licensing among SMBs. This type of licensing allows businesses to access Microsoft applications and services for a monthly or annual fee.
The advantages of CSP licensing include:
- Flexibility: Businesses can adjust the number of licenses according to their changing needs.
- Cost savings: Businesses can save money compared to purchasing perpetual licenses.
- Exempt from VAT: Some of these licenses, which are monthly or annual subscriptions, are not taxed.
- Upgrade: Monthly or annual subscription licenses are kept updated to the latest available product version.
- Tax deductions: this leave can be accounted for in the expense and therefore reduce the taxable income base.
- Ease of administration: Enterprises can manage their CSP licenses centrally from the Microsoft CSP portal.
Disadvantages of CSP licensing include:
- Those that are by annual or monthly subscription. They are not lifetime licenses
Retail ESD Licensing (ESD)
The term "ESD" in the context of licensing refers to "Electronic Software Distribution". ESD licensing is a method of software distribution in which the user acquires and downloads software electronically through s network, rather than receiving it in a physical format such as a CD or DVD.
In ESD licensing, software is distributed digitally and is typically activated using license keys or c activation codes. This allows users to purchase and use the software immediately after s purchase, without the need to wait for delivery of a physical medium. It's also often a more s convenient option for businesses and users who prefer to have quick access to the latest software versions and updates.
ESD licensing is common today for a wide range of software, including operating systems, productivity applications, graphic design programs, and many other applications. Users can download the software from the vendor's website or from authorized resellers, such as online stores, and then follow the instructions provided to activate it on their devices.
Retail licensing (ESD) is a type of Microsoft licensing that allows businesses to purchase perpetual licenses of Microsoft applications and services.
The advantages of ESD licensing include:
Ownership: Companies own their ESD licenses and can use them on any device.
Flexibility: Businesses can move their ESD licenses to new devices if needed.
Disadvantages of ESD licensing include:
Upfront cost: Companies must pay an upfront cost for each ESD license they purchase.
Upgrade costs: Businesses must pay for upgrades to Microsoft applications and services that are covered by their ESD licenses.
OEM Licensing
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licensing and ROK (Reseller Option Kit) licensing are two different concepts, but they are related and often used together in the context of software-on-hardware distribution.
OEM licensing refers to software licenses that are included with new hardware, such as computers, servers, printers, or any other electronic device.
These licenses are usually tied to the specific hardware on which they are installed and cannot be transferred to another device.
They are provided by the device manufacturer (OEM) and are either pre-installed on the machine or included in the product package.
This type of licensing is commonly used by hardware manufacturers to offer their customers a complete solution, where the software is already ready for use on the device.
OEM licensing (ROK) is a type of licensing Microsoft that is included with the purchase of new hardware.
Advantages of OEM licensing include:
Low cost: OEM licenses are generally cheaper s than ESD or CSP licenses.
Ease of installation: OEM licenses are automatically installed on new hardware.
Disadvantages of OEM licensing include:
Limitations: OEM licenses can only be used on the hardware they are bundled with. This license is usually non-transferable and dies with the machine.
ROK (Reseller Option Kit) Licensing:
ROK licensing is a variant of OEM licensing that is used specifically in the context of server operating systems, such as Windows Server.
ROKs are software licenses that are purchased by server manufacturers and then pre-installed on their servers before being sold to customers. For example, when a HP server is sold, it may come from a Windows server manufactured by microsoft but marketed by HP specifically for that server.
These licenses are also often hardware-tied and are designed to be used on specific servers from the manufacturers that offer them.
So while both OEM licensing and ROK involve pre-installing software on new hardware, ROK is used specifically in the context of servers and server operating systems, while OEM licensing is a broader s term that applies to a variety of electronic devices. Both types of licensing are used to provide customers with complete solutions that include both hardware and software.
Difficulty of transfer: OEM licenses can be difficult to transfer to new devices.
Open Licensing
Open licensing is a type of Microsoft licensing that allows companies to use Microsoft applications and services without paying for a license.
The advantages of open licensing include:
Free: Businesses don't have to pay for software licenses.
Flexibility: Businesses can use Microsoft 's apps and services on any device.
Disadvantages of open licensing include:
Restrictions: Businesses may be subject to restrictions on their use of Microsoft apps and services.
Legal risks: Businesses may be exposed to legal risks if they use Microsoft 's apps and services without a valid license.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right type of licensing Microsoft for your business depends on a number of factors, including your software needs, budget, and infrastructure.
If you need help choosing the Microsoft type of licensing that's right for your business, contact Lasus. Our expertos will help you find the best plan for your needs.