Microsoft Licensing Essentials

A Practical Guide to Navigating Microsoft Licensing, Reducing Costs, and Staying Compliant

What you'll learn
- Understand the fundamentals and importance of Microsoft software licensing for organizations of all sizes.
- Decode common Microsoft licensing terminology, including CAL, SA, OEM, SPLA, BYOL, and more.
- Compare and evaluate different licensing models, such as Volume Licensing, Enterprise Agreement (EA), and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).
- Identify the key differences between user-based and device-based licensing, and when to use each approach.
- Assess and select the most appropriate Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans based on organizational needs and user roles.
- Develop strategies to avoid common licensing mistakes, including over-licensing, shelfware, and misaligned assignments.
- Utilize Microsoft tools and dashboards for tracking, monitoring, and optimizing license usage and compliance.
- Prepare for Microsoft audits by implementing best practices in documentation, internal policies, and ongoing license governance.

Requirements
- No prior experince required

Description
Unlock the secrets of Microsoft licensing with a practical, plain-English guide that helps you cut costs, stay compliant, and avoid licensing headaches—whether you’re an IT manager, procurement specialist, compliance officer, or just someone suddenly responsible for software agreements.

Course Overview

Microsoft licensing can be notoriously complex—with confusing acronyms, rapidly changing rules, and the risk of costly mistakes. This course demystifies Microsoft’s most common licensing models (Volume Licensing, Enterprise Agreements, CSP, and Microsoft 365), so you can confidently manage your organization’s software portfolio, optimize spending, and prepare for audits. Through real-world examples, expert walkthroughs, and step-by-step strategies, you’ll learn how to choose the right licenses, avoid over- or under-licensing, and streamline your compliance process.

What You’ll Learn

Why Microsoft licensing matters for cost control, compliance, and risk management

How to decode essential licensing terms like CAL, SA, OEM, SPLA, and BYOL

The differences between user-based and device-based licensing—and how to choose

Key features and use cases for Volume Licensing, Enterprise Agreements (EA), and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programs

Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise plans: features, limits, and selecting the right fit

Strategies to avoid common licensing mistakes, such as shelfware and misalignment

Rightsizing: how to match licenses to user roles for maximum value

Tools and dashboards for tracking, reporting, and managing licenses efficiently

How to prepare for Microsoft audits with best practices for documentation and compliance

Establishing clear internal policies and governance for long-term licensing success

Who Should Enroll

This course is designed for IT managers, procurement professionals, compliance officers, small business owners, and anyone responsible for managing Microsoft software agreements. Whether you’re just starting with Microsoft licensing or seeking to optimize and future-proof your current setup, you’ll leave with actionable skills to save money and reduce risk.

Why Take This Course?

Reduce your software spending by eliminating over-licensing and shelfware

Protect your organization from compliance penalties and audit surprises

Stay ahead of Microsoft’s evolving licensing landscape—including cloud and AI-driven changes

Gain step-by-step strategies you can use immediately to streamline licensing management

Take control of your Microsoft licensing—enroll now and unlock a smarter, more cost-effective approach to software agreements!

Who this course is for:
- This course is ideal for IT professionals, software asset managers, compliance officers, and decision-makers involved in software procurement and management. It is particularly beneficial for those who are responsible for managing Microsoft licensing agreements within their organizations.
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