Arm Licensing Company Blog

Online Ordering and Processing coming soon! Sorry for the lack of updates recently but we have been working on a new shop front and online ordering of software licenses. Check back soon for more updates.

Eopen is Now Volume Licensing Service Center(VLSC). In Depth Details and Getting Started.

You may have noticed some changes recently when you tried to access your existing Microsoft Open Licenses and found that instead of getting the usual Eopen website you were redirected to the new Volume Licensing Service Center or VLSC for short. VLSC has replaced Eopen to align with Microsoft's strategy to improve software licensing across the enterprise. Below I go through the in depth details with you and answer the common questions we've been receiving about VLSC.

Firstly what is the VLSC website for?

The Volume Licensing Service Center is the website through which organisations obtain the keys they need to activate products, download or order installation software, and manage benefits such as Software Assurance.

Getting Started -

Note: the administrator of new licensing IDs must use a Windows Live ID that is the same as the email address associated with the account at the time of the order with Arm Licensing. For example, if the organisation's's email address is Ms@armlicensing.com.au, the Windows Live ID must also be Ms@armlicensing.com.au.

Before you Start -

If you don't have a Windows Live ID, take the following steps to create one. (See the important note above concerning Windows Live IDs.)

1. Go to https://signup.live.com/ to display the Create your Windows Live ID page.
2. Complete the form and click I accept. 

First Time Registration at the VLSC Website -

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/ to display the VLSC home page with sign-in and new-user information.
2. Click Sign In at the upper right side of the page or Sign in Now in the Sign In box to display the Windows Live ID login page.
3. In the Sign in to Microsoft section at the right side of the page, enter your Windows Live ID in the E-mail address box and your password in the Password box; then click Sign in. A validation email will be sent to you.
4. Open the validation email and click the link to complete the registration process.
5. • If your organization recently received a Microsoft license through Arm Licensing, and you have not yet signed any Open License agreements, the Open License Agreement page appears. See "First-Time Acceptance of Your Open License Agreement" below.
     
     
   • If you are being added to an established licensing ID, the VLSC home page appears.

Acceptance of Your Open License Agreement -

You must sign the Open License agreement if the following three conditions are true:

• You are the owner of the email account with which your organisation is registered at Arm Licensing.
• Your organization has an unsigned Open License agreement.
• You have never signed an Open License agreement with this Live ID.

In the above situation, the Open License Agreement page appears after you sign into the VLSC. Follow these steps to accept the agreement.

1. Near the top of the page, select from the three drop-down lists and click Go. Generally Most License products belong to the Commercial Open License type, if you are unsure please email us. The text of the agreement appears in the language you choose.
2. Click I Accept. This acceptance will apply to all future Open License agreements assigned to you.

Login for Registered Users -

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/ to display the VLSC home page with sign-in and new-user information.
2. Click Sign In at the upper right side of the page or Sign in Now in the Sign In box to display the Windows Live ID login page.
3. In the Sign in to Microsoft section at the right side of the page, enter your Windows Live ID in the E-mail address box and your password in the Password box; then click Sign in. The VLSC home page reappears.

That's it you should now be able to login and navigate the site, if your still having trouble setting up or registering your account then please contact us and we'll walk you through it. If you'd like more information on Microsoft Licensing agreements please visit our Microsoft Licensing Section.

Weekly Specials Updated

Microsoft

Microsoft Professional Plus with Software Assurance 20% Discount - Finished

Microsoft Office Software Assurance Renewal Savings - Valid until 30/04/2010

Microsoft Forefront Online Security for Exchange Savings - Valid until 31/03/2010

Microsoft ISA Standard and Enterprise L+SA Savings - Finished

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade 15% Discount - Extended until 30/04/2010

Symantec

3rd Year Maintenance Free on Symantec Security Solutions. - Valid until 30/04/2010

Symantec Protection Suite Crossgrade 20% off - Valid until 31/03/2010

CA

Free! 2 x CA XOsoft replication licenses + 1 x CA ARCserve Backup Dashboard Licenses with the purchase of a CA ARCserve 12.5 License - Valid until 31/03/2009

Why can't we license the Windows 7 Desktop OS and what qualifies for an upgrade license?

Alot of people are talking about Windows 7 at the moment and rightly so... it's been 3 Years since Windows Vista rolled off the shelf to an underwhelmed audience who would rather run Windows XP than install the fresh new vista.

 

Now that Windows 7 is released alot of companies are looking to try again and upgrade their old XP systems to Windows 7 to access the new speed advances and technologies Windows 7 has integrated since vista. So let's have a look at the recent questions we're getting about Windows 7 and the licensing issues you need to know if upgrading.

Can I get full licenses of Windows 7?
Unfortunately No. Microsoft has never allowed the purchase of full desktop operating systems through licensing, only upgrade licenses. The best method is to buy OEM or FPP (box Product).

Which rules must I know before applying for Windows 7 upgrade licensing?
Before qualifying for Windows 7 companies must note that there are two qualifying rules to be eligible for an os upgrade. These are

1. The qualifying OS must be installed on the device to which the VL Upgrade license is to be assigned.
2. you must remove the qualifying Operating System from the device in order to deploy the VL Upgrade license.
   

unless...

Can I run Windows 7 and my existing Windows OS parallel with an Upgrade License?
Yes but only if your license includes Software Assurance otherwise the old OS will have to be removed and a clean install done.

Which desktop operating systems qualify for the windows 7 upgrade license?

• Windows Vista (Enterprise, Business or Ultimate)
• Windows XP (Professional, Tablet Edition, Pro N, Pro Blade Pc)
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows NT Workstation 4.0
• Windows 98 including 2nd Edition

The exception to this is that all Windows lines are eligible for upgrade licenses under Open Academic.

What are the downgrade rights for Windows 7 Licenses?
Volume Licensing customers with a license for Windows 7 Professional may downgrade to any prior version of windows in place of the version they have licensed. Eligible Prior versions of Windows 7 Professional include, Windows Vista Business, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or 3.51.

Are there any promotions to new customers wanting to upgrade their licenses?
Until February 28. 2010 Open License, Open Value, Select and Select Plus customers are eligible for 15% off Windows 7 Professional Upgrade Licenses and Upgrade Licenses with Software Assurance. Please visit our website to purchase.

Christmas and New Year Trading Hours

Merry Christmas Everyone! - Please find our Christmas trading and support hours below.

14/12/09 - 17/12/09 - Normal Business Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm

18/12/09 - Limited Christmas Hours due to Office Christmas Party.

21/12/09 - 24/12/09 - Normal Business Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm

28/12/09 - 01/12/09 - Office is closed. Email ordering and Support will still be available.

04/01/09 - 08/01/09 - Normal Business Hours. 9:00am - 5:00pm

11/01/09 - onwards - Business as usual.

Weekly Specials Updated

Please check our list below for weekly specials.

Microsoft Professional Plus with Software Assurance 20% Discount - Valid until 31/12/2009

Microsoft Forefront Online Security for Exchange Savings - Valid until 31/03/2009

Microsoft ISA Standard and Enterprise L+SA Savings - Valid until 31/12/2009

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade 15% Discount - Valid until 28/02/2009