Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP)


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.

Microsoft Open License Program
MOLP

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.

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