Academic Senior Managers, School Computing Coordinators, and other interested parties on campus are invited to a presentation on the major changes and new programs Microsoft has introduced in its software purchase and licensing offerings. The presentation will be made on Wednesday, August 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the McDonnell-Douglas Engineering Auditorium.

Microsoft has made significant changes in the “Select Agreement,” under which the campus purchases Microsoft software at a discount. In the past, it has been possible to decide whether to upgrade a product (such as Word 2000 to Word XP) when the new version is released. Under the new Select Agreement, one must purchase the right to run future upgrades of products in advance of their availability.

This ability to upgrade (called “Software Advantage”) is often not needed or may not make sense given the limitations of particular computers, but having “the upgrade option” now requires more planning than previously. To be able to upgrade your software in the most cost effective way possible, there are certain purchases you must make by September 30th, and additional purchases will have to be made in January, 2002.

In addition, changes to the Campus License Program — which requires annual payment, effectively leasing the software — make it a viable option for some departments, especially those in which there are substantially more computers running Microsoft software than there are faculty and staff (including part-time staff and student employees, each counted as half a full-time staff member).

The presentation will cover both the Microsoft Select Agreement and the Microsoft Campus License Program. Microsoft representatives will be present to help address the finer details and to help provide appropriate follow-up where needed.

For additional information and links about Microsoft licensing as it applies to UCI, please see http://www.nacs.uci.edu/licenses

If you are involved with licensing Microsoft products, please plan to attend the August 29 presentation. RSVPs via http://signup.nacs.uci.edu.edu are appreciated.