What are the options when it comes to purchasing Microsoft software?
There are three main ways of purchasing Microsoft software: OEM, fully packaged product or volume licensing.

PLEASE NOTE: Jade Integration are Microsoft Certified Partners and authorised resellers of Microsoft software. We ONLY sell genuine UK Microsoft software and prices are checked on a daily basis to give you the best possible value for money. We will happily attempt to match any like-for-like quotation however please note that we cannot match prices quoted by certain internet-based companies who supply 'grey import' software destined for non-UK countries. This activity is illegal and thus the software supplied through these channels is not valid for UK use. Always buy Microsoft software from a genuine Microsoft Certified Partner. You can verify our Microsoft partner status by clicking here.

Microsoft OEM software
OEM stands for 'Original Equipment Manufacturer' and this is probably the cheapest way of obtaining Microsoft software. The software must be supplied pre-installed on a PC or server by a registered Microsoft OEM System Builder. The main disadvantages of OEM software are that it must live and die on the machine it was purchased with and you don't get the same level of support from Microsoft. OEM software licenses cannot be transferred between systems and cannot be purchased on their own (without a system) - to do so is illegal. Jade Integration are fully certified and registered to sell Microsoft OEM software on new or refurbished machines.

Shrink-wrapped / Fully boxed product
Probably the most common way of purchasing individual copies of Microsoft software is by popping down to your nearest computer superstore and picking a copy off the shelf - this is shrink-wrapped software and is probably the most expensive way of purchasing Microsoft software. We supply the full range of Microsoft shrink-wrapped software, usually with next day delivery and significantly cheaper than high street stores. For the latest prices, drop us an e-mail with your requirements to software@jadeintegration.com.

Microsoft Open Licensing (Volume Licensing)
The Microsoft Open licensing route is ideal for companies with up to 250 users and is a perpetual licensing system. This means you hold the software license indefinitely and you can transfer it between machines to your heart's content! This licensing scheme is split into three sub-categories - Open Business, Open Volume B and Open Volume C. Open Business is ideal for smaller organisations whereas Open Volume caters for slightly larger organisations. Qualification for each of the categories depends on points, the more software you order the more points you receive and the bigger discounts you get. For a FREE Open Licensing quotation, call us on 0191 273 4444 or e-mail software@jadeintegration.com.

Microsoft Select Agreement (Volume Licensing)
A Microsoft Select Agreement is for companies with 250 or more PCs. The agreement lasts for three years but gives you on-going rights to the software versions you've installed in that time. The agreement is based on predicting your software needs. To get the best discounts, you need to 'forecast' your software usage each year. You select the products you think you'll use from three product pools (or categories) - applications, operating systems and servers, and your price level is based on this forecast. Each year Microsoft check what you've used and your price level may be increased or decreased accordingly.

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (Volume Licensing)
The Enterprise Agreement lasts for three years and gives you on-going rights to the software versions you've installed. You pay a fixed price per PC, based on the number of PCs covered and the Microsoft platform products you choose. The cost of your product licences is split equally over the three years and you pay annually. The Enterprise Agreement is a simple, easy to manage, agreement for large organisations looking to standardise the software on all their PCs. With costs split annually over the period of the agreement, and access to the latest versions during the agreement, it's a popular choice for IT and Finance decision makers.

Other Microsoft Licensing Methods
On top of the licensing methods mentioned above, there are substantial discounts available for academic establishments and charities. There are also many options available to spread the cost of your software, as well as leasing and hosting options. Whatever your Microsoft licensing needs, we're authorised to sell them all. For a FREE quotation, call us on 0845 125 9622 or e-mail software@jadeintegration.com.