If your company needs to equip many computers with the same software, buying licences one by one is inefficient and costly. Volume licensing exists exactly for this: a structured way to manage many licences while saving money. Here's how it works.
1What volume licensing is
It's a purchasing model designed for organisations: instead of buying single copies, you acquire the right to install and manage the software on an agreed number of devices, with dedicated terms and centralised key management.
2The main Microsoft programmes
Microsoft groups its offering into a few programmes, each aimed at a different company size:
- CSP (Cloud Solution Provider): the most common route today, managed through a partner — flexible, monthly or annual, ideal for cloud products like Microsoft 365;
- Open Value: the classic programme for small and medium-sized businesses, from a handful of licences upwards, with the option to spread payments over three years;
- Enterprise Agreement: aimed at larger organisations (typically 500+ users), with the best per-unit pricing and organisation-wide terms;
- cloud plans (Microsoft 365 Business, or E3 and E5 for enterprises): subscriptions priced per user that bundle the apps, cloud services and security together.
3When it pays off
Volume licensing becomes worthwhile once you manage more than a handful of workstations. Beyond price, the benefit is operational: a single key to administer, faster deployments and a clear picture of active licences.
4How to get started
Start with a count: how many devices, which software, which versions. With that data you can identify the most suitable programme and avoid paying for licences you won't use. If you like, we'll help you run the numbers and choose the right solution for your business.
5In short
Volume licensing simplifies management and saves money when you have many workstations: fewer keys to manage, dedicated pricing, centralised control. The first step is always working out how many licences you really need. From there, choosing the programme is easy.
