VIDEO: With the launch of System Center 2012, the enterprise datacenter evolves in a fundamental way, with huge implications across the business. Hear what’s behind System Center 2012 from the Microsoft engineers and product managers who build the product.            

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Earlier today, Microsoft announced the System Center 2012 release candidate during a live webcast featuring Satya Nadella, president of Microsoft Server and Tools Business.  In the webcast, Nadella outlined how Microsoft’s private cloud solution will help businesses move faster, save money and better compete in 2012 and the future.

Posted by Joe Matz
Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Licensing and Pricing, Microsoft

Acquiring software licenses for multiple users and systems at once within an organization makes it easier and more affordable. In short, that’s volume licensing, and this blog is dedicated to discussing, exploring and demystifying what it’s all about so our customers can get on with business, equipped with the best tools and services to succeed.

By acquiring software licenses through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) programs, you not only benefit from the number of users and systems outfitted, but you can often save costs typically associated with shrink-wrapped boxes, physical media (CD-ROM or DVD), printed consumer users’ guides, shipping, and other costs. Volume licensing also provides customized purchasing options and improved software management.

The primary purpose of this blog is to encourage and facilitate community input and discussion surrounding the news and views of Microsoft Volume Licensing. We encourage you to be participate in the conversation and comment freely within the bounds of the topics discussed on the blog.

It’s good practice to periodically double-check principles upon which you build subsequent plans.  Ensuring an accurate compass reading is essential; off by just one degree and you’re way off the mark later in your travels.  To help you find your way, in addition to the information on Microsoft volume licensing available via this blog, our Twitter account and website, we’ve put together a few booklets on the basics of Microsoft volume licensing. These materials will be of most interest to procurement and IT staff in a new role or someone looking to ensure they have a solid grasp of licensing basics. 

They are a great complement to the content presented through our licensing Training and Accreditation courses as well as the Get Licensing Ready curriculum (additional details below). 

Across the company, we are working to better organize and simplify complex documents, many of these changes having benefited Volume Licensing customers - such as the Enterprise Agreement that was simplified last year and updated to include online services, the recently refreshed PUR that emphasizes plain English, and recent changes to Windows 8 licensing under Software Assurance.

In this vein, we’re also updating the “Microsoft Services Agreement.” This agreement applies to many of our consumer online services such as Outlook, SkyDrive, Messenger, Hotmail, Bing and more.  You can see the updated agreement here.