Definition of Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP) in The Network Encyclopedia.
What is MOLP (Microsoft Open License Program)?
Microsoft Open License Program is a Microsoft software licensing program for small to mid-sized businesses with 5 to 1000 PCs on their network. Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP) provides flexible volume licensing that reduces costs associated with purchasing, upgrading, and maintaining Microsoft software.
MOLP is a two-year agreement that facilitates compliance with licensing and simplifies the tracking and management of licenses.
How it works
MOLP has three license pools based on product area:
- Applications: Includes Microsoft Office, Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft Visual Basic, and so on
- Systems: Includes Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation, and so on
- Servers: Includes Windows NT Server, Microsoft BackOffice Server, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and so on
License pools are managed separately. Points are assigned to each deployment of a product. The number of points you accumulate in each pool determines the discount you receive for licenses in that pool over the two-year program. More points mean greater discounts, and the bigger the initial licensing purchase, the bigger the discount over the two-year period. Generally, one point equals one license. For example, one deployment of Windows NT is 15 points, while one deployment of Office is 2 points.
License types include the following:
- Standard: No previous version of the software is on the machine.
- Version upgrade (VUP): You purchase licenses to upgrade software.
- Competitive upgrade (CUP): You purchase licenses to upgrade a competitor’s software to Microsoft’s version.
- Product upgrade (PUP): You purchase licenses for upgrades such as Office 97 Standard to Office 97 Professional.
MOLP delivers client access licenses (CALs) through a secure Web site. This Web site also maintains the client’s database of licensing information.
