Learn about the new Microsoft 365 Education licensing through OETC
Microsoft has overhauled their software licensing for education. The Education Desktop bundle has evolved into Microsoft 365 Education, which differs in structure, offerings and user count.
This 30-minute webinar includes a 15 minute presentation from OETC Executive Director Thomas Richards on the new Microsoft 365 Education licenses, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A.
The webinar covers the following:
- A1 vs. A3 vs. A5
- What is EQU?
- Add security to A3
- Special use rights
- Student use benefits
- Benefits if you transition early
- Why OETC?
Watch the Webinar View the Slides
Webinar Q&A
Q: Are named users capped at what we purchase at the beginning of the year?
A: Unlike the old framework with FTE, you are able to go up or down on your EQU at every anniversary renewal period. If you want to purchase more licenses in between your renewal periods you can do so; they will be prorated down to 6 months.
If you estimate on the low end at the start of your agreement, you can increase throughout the year but you will need to be on top of it. You will not be able to purchase more licenses overnight — Microsoft doesn’t process orders quite that fast.
That being said, it is easier to add on when needed, rather than wishing you could go down, as Microsoft will not refund unused licenses if you’ve over-purchased.
Q: Will this change affect shared device licensing for Office Pro Plus?
A: It does not. There is a way to do shared device licensing for Office Pro Plus. If you have lab environments, you will not need to license them through M365.
Q: Will each user need to be licensed through the portal (ie. have a login) compared to installing license keys on user machines?
A: Yes, each user will have to have an M365 login via the portal, then you grant them the license and they can log in and download Office. This includes student licenses.
There are other deployment options with Office, but they are getting a little harder to do each year as Microsoft pushes everyone to put their users in the portal and assign licenses that way.
You can still deploy using license keys/VLSC, but fundamentally Microsoft sees M365 as a cloud-based system where you assign the users license rights and they can then download the product. This includes student licenses as well.
Want to learn more about M365? Visit our comprehensive M365 licensing page.