HP Software Licensing & Management Solutions (SLMS) has a wide range of information that will help you to decide how best to partner with Microsoft in the Hosted Services space.

For anyone who has spent even the shortest time working in this field it must be clear that our industry is being transformed daily—both by new and ever-evolving business models and through the proliferation of diverse technologies available in the current marketplace. As in all forms of business, Hosters must evolve to win—it's a fact of life and a maxim that has never been truer than it is right now.

SLMS and Microsoft are actively supporting the evolution of Hosting Services—through the provision of next-generation hosting and delivery service platforms, with compelling business applications that can be offered as a service, and with digital lifestyle experiences that will delight your customers.

Alongside these cutting-edge services, HP SLMS and Microsoft have committed to offering significant, long-term, strategic support to its hosting partner ecosystem. One of the ways in which SLMS and Microsoft are achieving this is with the Service Provider License Agreement (or SPLA) which enables service providers and ISVs with hosted offerings to effectively license Microsoft products and provide services and hosted applications to their customers.

Along with compelling opportunities to drive greater sales revenue, SPLA offers partners a monthly 'use-based' licensing payment structure, near zero start-up costs and the ability to sell services to customers in any part of the world, regardless of location.

For many types of business, Microsoft's SPLA has major benefits, including: 

• flexible cost structure
• stable pricing plans
• high levels of service customization
• confidence that comes from being fully compliant with Microsoft's current and future licensing policies.

Does this sound like an opportunity that you should be finding out more about? We think so, and we're ready to talk to you now. Simply call 515-890-7144 or find out more online today.

Who should be using a SPLA?
The following are some of the businesses and scenarios for which the SPLA is a good option:

• Web hosting providers
• Application services providers
• Messaging or collaboration services providers

• Business process outsourcers
• Platform infrastructure providers
• Computer rental companies
• Streaming media providers
• Web or Internet services providers
• Independent software vendors that provide hosted applications
• IT outsourcers that provide software licenses
• Franchisees and franchises

Types of SPLA licenses
There are two types of SPLA licenses. Choose the one that's right for you based on how you offer Microsoft licensed products to your customers.

Per subscriber: A Subscriber Access License (SAL) is required for each unique individual user or device that is authorized to access or otherwise use the licensed products. With the SAL option, you don't need a separate Server License.

Per processor: Each Processor License allows an unlimited number of users to access the software that is installed on that processor for products licensed through a per processor model.

How the SPLA differs from other Volume Licensing Agreements
Other Microsoft Volume Licensing programs-such as Enterprise Agreement, Select License, and Open License-do not allow commercial hosting of Microsoft licensed products. In contrast, the SPLA is designed specifically for services providers so that you can deliver software services to your customers, or even to third parties. As a result, your customers do not have to acquire their own licensed products. In addition, the SPLA can accommodate the various types of services offered, including:

• Direct access. You facilitate your customer's business (including business transactions with third parties) through software services.
• Indirect access. You provide your customer with access to and use of any licensed product, Microsoft or otherwise. The application is running on a server and interacts with a Microsoft licensed product on that server.

Program Benefits
The SPLA has many program benefits, including the following:

• Flexible cost structure. The SPLA offers a monthly use-based licensing payment structure. You pay for only what you authorized your customers to use the previous month. Plus, there are almost no start-up costs and no monthly commitment.
• Cash Flow Management. With SPLA, service providers have near zero start-up costs, since they only pay for licenses based on what they made available to provide services each month.
• Pricing Stability.  SPLA price changes (if any) will only occur on an annual basis in January.
• The ability to deliver a customized service. The SPLA gives you greater flexibility when licensing Microsoft licensed products to your customers in a dedicated hosting environment or shared hosting environment. You can manage the services and Microsoft product use rights for your customers.
• Most Current Product Versions. With SPLA, service providers have access to the most current versions of the products available in the Program for one simple monthly price.
• Worldwide distribution. You can use Microsoft licensed products to sell your services to customers in any part of the world, regardless of your location.
• Rental rights. The SPLA now includes rental rights that allow you to rent desktop computers with certain Microsoft licensed products installed.
• Customer demonstrations. For a limited period, you can demonstrate your software services FREE to prospective customers, as long as you comply with the Service Provider User Rights. You can have up to 50 active user IDs for demonstration purposes.
• Data center outsourcing. You can install Microsoft licensed products on servers that are under the day-to-day management and control of an outsourcing company so that they can perform data center administration, testing, and maintenance support services for you.
• Expanded reach to corporate and academic institutions. The SPLA has great offers for corporate and academic customers, so you can expand your service offerings. Academic pricing on selected server products is available when service providers deploy services to Qualified Education Customers.
• Use Rights Protection. The Service Provider Use Rights (SPUR) document details all product use rights for this program. Product use rights are specific to each version and will not change for the duration of the program.

Program Requirements
The following are some of the requirements you must meet to participate in the SPLA. Complete program requirements are available in the SPLA Program Guide.

• Enroll in the Microsoft Partner Program. You must be either a Microsoft Certified Partner or a Registered Member of the Microsoft Partner Program. If you are a Registered Member, you must also enroll in the Microsoft Hosting Community. Each of these programs offers unique benefits to members.
• Designate a licensed products reseller. Unless you have a direct agreement with Microsoft, you need to designate a SPLA reseller.
• Provide monthly reporting on software licenses. You will need to submit a monthly use report on all licenses that you, your affiliates, or software services resellers have authorized your customers to use.
• Provide technical support. You are responsible for providing technical product support for the Microsoft licensed products you deliver to your customers.

For more information
Contact: Kim Kuhlmann / HP Software Licensing Management Solutions (SLMS) Microsoft SPLA Specialist
515-890-7144 (Direct)  
hpslmsspla-amer@hp.com 
kim.kuhlmann@hp.com