Software subscriptions

A software subscription is a licensing model that provides access to software for a recurring fee rather than requiring a one-time purchase. Customers can use the software during the subscription term and receive access to updates, new features, and security enhancements released during that period.

Through the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, organizations can purchase software subscriptions with monthly or annual billing options. Software subscriptions can help organizations align software usage with changing business requirements while avoiding upfront licensing costs.

Benefits

Software subscriptions provide flexibility and predictable software management.

• Add or remove licenses as business needs change.

• Receive consolidated billing to manage budgets. Pay for what you use, on a schedule that suits your business needs.

• Receive the latest product features, updates, and security improvements released during the subscription term.

SoftwareOne services

SoftwareOne supports customers throughout the software subscription lifecycle. This includes:

• Guidance on selecting appropriate Microsoft software subscriptions.

• Assistance with licensing and subscription management.

• Ongoing support and subscription optimization.

• Recommendations to help align licensing with business requirements.

Considerations

Before purchasing software subscriptions, consider:

• Whether monthly or annual billing best meets your organization's needs.

• How license quantities may change over time.

• Product-specific requirements, terms, and eligibility criteria.

• Renewal and subscription management requirements.

License keys

After your order is complete and your license is successfully set up, you can download your license keys from the Microsoft Admin Portal. You'll need these keys to activate the software.

For instructions, see Download software and product license keys in Microsoft documentation.

Cancellations

Software subscriptions can be cancelled within 7 days of order placement. Eligible cancellations receive a prorated refund. This cancellation period consists of 7×24 hours (7 days a week; 24 hours a day).

Cancellations aren't accepted after this period for either new purchases or renewal orders.

For details on how to cancel a subscription, see Terminate Subscriptions.

Renewals

By default, auto-renewal is enabled for all SoftwareOne Marketplace subscriptions.

If a subscription is configured to renew automatically, it's processed the day after the subscription's term ends.

For example, if the term end date is 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z UTC, it includes the whole day. The renewal will start after the term ends (2023-03-02T00:00:00Z UTC) and can take up to 24 hours.

After renewal is completed, partners have a 7-day window (except where otherwise required by law) to cancel or reduce seats. The 7-day window starts at the date and time of renewal completion.

Additional licenses

You can add more software items to your existing agreement by submitting a change order. For details, see Add new items to an agreement.

When ordering new items, the quantity of existing software licenses in the agreement can't be increased. If additional licenses are required for an existing product, a new subscription must be created under the same agreement.