Watch Those Licenses!

Hosted PBX

Combine your VOLstate high speed Internet with RevTel local phone service and hosted PBX. Get incredilbe savings and advanced PBX features for less than you pay now to ATT. Hang up on ATT and get RevTel!

Microsoft Certified

VOLstate is now a Microsoft Certified Partner. We are pleased to offer Microsoft consulting services for your business networks. In Particular, Microsoft SBS Server offers small businesses incredible efficiency at an affordable price.

If you’ve recently bought a computer you are no doubt familiar with the little stickers that come on new PCs. These are called a “COA”, or Certificate of Authenticity. Usually these are evidence of a legal license of windows installed on the PC. Most people don’t realize that they don’t actually own the software “windows”, they merely have a “right to use” the software, and that little sticker is what conveys those rights.

Even though VOLstate is a Microsoft “partner”, I wouldn’t confuse that with thinking that VOLstate loves Microsoft. I love some of their products… they make running a business extremely efficient. However, their licensing policies are hard to understand and are an example of what happens when a company gains monopoly control.

For instance, back to the “COA” sticker on your PC. That sticker conveys a right for you to use a single copy of windows on the computer it came installed on. It is illegal to install another copy on a different PC using the same “number” on that COA. Most of you probably already knew that. However, did you know that if you uninstall the copy of windows from your current PC that does not give you the right to install it on another PC? The license with the “COA” sticker does not convey the right to move the software to another PC; it is “tied” to the original PC it was installed on. This means that every time you upgrade your computer by replacing it with a new one you are essentially required to re-purchase windows. Some of you have purchased windows many times already, and you will have to continue purchasing windows every time you get a new computer. Those of us in the business call this the “Microsoft Tax”.

These issues can get very complicated, especially if you run a business or own multiple PCs. For example, say you have 5 PCs in your small business and you have the “COA” stickers on all the PCs. What if you want to upgrade them to Vista ? Should you buy the “upgrade” Vista , the “Full Retail or FPP” package, the “OEM” version or get an upgrade version “site license”, or “open license”? If you make the wrong decision on this one you will pay too much, or, even worse, could be in violation of the software license and subject your business to legal consequences! To make matters even more sticky, many software vendors have similar policies… they offer “full retail”, “OEM”, “Volume license” and so forth. Getting the incorrect license can cost you money.

VOLstate is a vendor neutral company. We want you to have the best option for your business. That is why we can offer expert assistance for you licensing needs. For instance, did you know that there is a free use license of an Office Suite? Many businesses can save thousands of dollars simply by dropping Microsoft Office and adopting the use of a free use Office Suite such as “Open Office” (http://www.openoffice.org). This may or may not be an option for your business. There is no perfect solution for all; there are compelling reasons to stay with Microsoft Office for some and compelling reasons to drop Microsoft Office for others. We will help you decide.