Understanding Microsoft's volume
licensing price increases in the UK
on July 1st

Earlier this year Microsoft informed its partners and customers of Europe-wide changes to establish and maintain pricing consistency across the EU. The new pricing policies for Microsoft volume licensing programmes will be effective from July 1st 2012. These changes are due to sustained currency differences in the EU region between Euro and Non Euro currencies.

The Price changes have been confirmed as:
Open License Commercial - 1.7% increase
Select/Plus - 17.7% increase
Enterprise Agreement/Enterprise Agreement subscription - 18.7% increase
Office 365 via MOSP - up to 15% increase
Open Value/Open Value Subscription - 25.9% Increase
SPLA - 25.9% increase
ISVR - 25.9% Increase
Government Open Value/Subscription - 25.9% increase
Government Open License Programme - 25.9% increase

Cut-off time before Microsoft price increase is 12.00pm, 26th June 2012

Because of the increase in orders expected before the 1st July price rise the cut-off date for all Microsoft orders with Grey Matter is 12.00pm on the 26th June 2012. Any orders received after this time cannot be guaranteed to be processed before the 1st July Price increase and will be subject to the new pricing.

It is important to note that certain Microsoft volume licensing agreements contain price protection clauses so will be unaffected by any price increases for the duration of agreement.

Price protection clauses are found in the following volume licensing programs: Enterprise Agreement/Enterprise Subscription Agreement Open Value/Open Value Subscription + Companywide versions of this agreement and Online Services acquired through the Microsoft Online Subscription Program - Annual Subscription (such as Office 365).

Frequently asked questions

Why is Microsoft making these pricing changes?

In February, Microsoft explained it had to make changes due to sustained currency differences in the EU/EFTA region between Euro and Non Euro currencies.

What Volume Licensing Programs are impacted?

The programs impacted by this change are: Open Value, Open Value Subscription, Select Plus, Enrolment for Education Solutions, Indirect Enterprise Agreement and ISV Royalty (Indirect) and SPLA (Indirect).

What are your purchasing options?

Before July 1: New and renewing agreements signed before July 1 2012 will use the current UK price list and will be price protected when applicable.

Mid Term agreements: Price protection on originally ordered software until next renewal. Any new product additions or renewals, will be subject to the price change.

After July 1: New and renewing agreements will use the current month's price list.

When will the price change come into effect?

The price change will come into effect from the 1st July 2012.

What happens to customers who are in existing annuity agreements?

Existing annuity customers that have price protection, such as Open Value/Subscription Company Wide, Enterprise Agreement or Subscription customers, will not experience a price change during the term of their agreement. Any new product additions or renewals, will be subject to the price change.

These changes to do not impact Box Product (FPP), OEM products or Academic UK volume licensing programmes.

Next steps: please contact us to discuss these pricing changes to your current and future Microsoft product purchases - we are here to help!