Vista VLK Licensing

[AndrewGroup]

Correct me if I'm wrong - But...

The information I have seems to indicate a company cannot specify an exact
PC design using specific hardware Motherboard, Video, case etc, and have
these 100 systems built and then purchase a Vista Business VLK license for
100 machines.

It seems the VLK Vista Business License is an upgrade Only, Thus forcing the
business the purchase WindowsXP and have it installed, and then apply an
upgrade to get to Vista Busines?

If this is not the case, and the Vista Will Install Directly, but only the
PC must have a COA from a previous Windows OS, then this appears as simply as
an additional Microsoft TAX vs. a legitimate upgrade process of the OS?

If the Previous OS is a real requirement, that mean that if a PC is damaged,
or replaced for other reasons, an additional 3rd previous OS license would be
required for the replacement machine.

If all the above is true, this seem to negate the benefit of a VLK license.
This almost forcing from a cost perspective, the business only to consider an
OEM version of Vista based on the true and overall added cost of a VLK
license.

If all of the assertions about the VLK are true, I can truly understand the
frustration associated with Microsoft Software licensing and how it appears
that Microsoft only does what's in the best interest of Microsoft.

I and the staff make our living supporting Microsoft, and this isn't a bash,
but something more similar as a confession of feeling dirty having to explain
this asserted reality to a client that was hoping to have a business specific
PC using Microsoft Vista Business with very specific non-available equipment
from the majors such as Dell, HP or others.

Help me wash my sins and clear up my confusion on VLK Vista Business
Licensing.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

You've read this?
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/volumelicensekey/default.mspx

I don't see where it supports your "understanding" of the VLK structure. Far
as I can tell, your understanding of the agreement isn't correct. I found
the link for Vista Business interesting,
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/ActivationFAQ/default.mspx

Or you can easily call the Activation Center to get the straight story.
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/numbers.mspx

 

[Richard G. Harper]

You would need to speak to the person who handles your volume license,
enterprise licensing, or select licensing vendor in order to get your issues
straightened out. Or you could browse the Microsoft Volume Licensing web
site to get answers to your questions if you know what kind of volume
license plan you are on.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Correct me if I'm wrong - But...

The information I have seems to indicate a company cannot specify an exact
PC design using specific hardware Motherboard, Video, case etc, and have
these 100 systems built and then purchase a Vista Business VLK license for
100 machines.

It seems the VLK Vista Business License is an upgrade Only,

What exactly leads you to believe this?

Thus forcing the
business the purchase WindowsXP and have it installed, and then apply an
upgrade to get to Vista Busines?

If this is not the case, and the Vista Will Install Directly, but only the
PC must have a COA from a previous Windows OS, then this appears as simply
as
an additional Microsoft TAX vs. a legitimate upgrade process of the OS?

If the Previous OS is a real requirement, that mean that if a PC is
damaged,
or replaced for other reasons, an additional 3rd previous OS license would
be
required for the replacement machine.

If all the above is true, this seem to negate the benefit of a VLK
license.
This almost forcing from a cost perspective, the business only to consider
an
OEM version of Vista based on the true and overall added cost of a VLK
license.

If all of the assertions about the VLK are true,

That's a pretty big if.

I can truly understand the
frustration associated with Microsoft Software licensing and how it
appears
that Microsoft only does what's in the best interest of Microsoft.

I and the staff make our living supporting Microsoft, and this isn't a
bash,
but something more similar as a confession of feeling dirty having to
explain
this asserted reality to a client that was hoping to have a business
specific
PC using Microsoft Vista Business with very specific non-available
equipment
from the majors such as Dell, HP or others.

Help me wash my sins and clear up my confusion on VLK Vista Business
Licensing.

I think that you are operating under some significant misunderstandings, or
perhaps misinformation. You should check with a MS sales rep for the
correct details.

I would be very surprised if you *had* to purchase a previous OS version to
install using VL keys - the VL deployment docs certainly don't mention this,
or any need for a previous COA. However, all VL installs *do* have to be
activated, though you can apparently run your own server for this.

If your hardware vendor is telling you that they can't build and ship
without a non-Vista OS, I would suggest that you consider another vendor.

HTH
-pk