Video Showing Details of Microsoft's OEM, Retail, and Volume Licensing

[office politics]

QUESTION: What is the difference between OEM, Retail Box, and Volume Licensing software? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each and how can I determine which is right for my business?

Watch the video linked below to find out.

Microsoft Small Business Channel Community


edit - what a load of crap. vol lics need a full license to begin with and cant be moved to another pc without SA

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/1514?pg=4

With those caveats out of the way, here are a few essential facts about Volume Licensing:

•Volume Licenses are available for a long, long list of products, but for Windows 7, only Professional and Enterprise editions are available.
•You can qualify for Volume Licensing with as few as five PCs in an organization.
•All Volume Licenses are upgrades. You cannot legally buy a “naked” PC and attach a volume license to it. You must first buy a full license (typically an OEM license with a new PC purchase) and then use the Volume License to upgrade to the VL version you purchased.
•Volume License keys were a source of rampant piracy in the Windows XP era. As a result, all Volume License copies of Windows 7 now have to be activated, using either a Multiple Activation Key or a Key Management Service. The big difference with the latter option (which applies to most large VL customers) is that the activation servers are managed locally by the customer and individual employees don't have to activate using Microsoft's servers.
•According to Microsoft, a Windows Upgrade License purchased through a Volume License program is “tied” to the device to which it is first assigned and may not be reassigned. However, Volume Licensing customers who pay extra for Software Assurance coverage can reassign that coverage (which includes upgrade rights) to an appropriately licensed replacement device. If you find that confusing, join the crowd.