ICT Helpdesk Information Sheet

Microsoft's Schools Agreement FAQs

10 April 2007

Here are some questions and answers about the licensing agreement the Ministry of Education has with Microsoft New Zealand to provide all state and state-integrated schools with selected Microsoft software for a three year term commencing 1 January 2007.

1. What is the Microsoft Schools Agreement?
   The Ministry of Education has recently completed negotiations for a licensing agreement with Microsoft New Zealand to provide all state and state integrated schools with selected Microsoft software for a three year term until December 31 2009.



2. What schools are covered by the agreement?
   The agreement covers all New Zealand state and state-integrated schools. As with the previous agreement, independent schools may purchase the software on a school-by-school basis.



3. What software is included in the agreement?
   Up to date information regarding the software can be downloaded from Datacom, the contracted reseller of the MS package to schools. Forms can be found at www.dsv.co.nz/moe
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4. What differences are there between this new and the old Schools Agreement?
   There are some minor differences in the new Schools Agreement. All Apple Macintosh computers have been taken out of the deal. This affects MS Office for the Mac in the classroom. Schools will need to license this product separately if they wish to continue using it. TELA laptops and the bulk of Macintosh computers in administration will be covered by the agreement.


5. How many computers does the licence apply to in each school?

   The licence applies to all eligible desktops as described in the Subscription Enrolment form. The cost of the core products listed above will be covered by the Ministry for all state and state integrated schools. Any additional or non-core products (e.g. Terminal Server CALs), a school chooses to purchase will need to be paid for annually.

   Please note that for all non-core products for 'additional systems and applications', you will have to license any requirement for these products across all qualified desktops.

6. What is Datacom's role?
   The Ministry has renewed Datacom’s contract to manage and administer each school's enrolment into the Schools Agreement, and the distribution of software media. To contact Datacom please call the ICT Helpdesk for Schools:
   

   Ph: 0800 Call ICT (0800 2255428)
   Email : callict@tki.org.nz
   

7. How does my school get the Microsoft software covered by the arrangement?
   Datacom will be e-mailing all eligible schools to inform them of the requirement to enrol in the Schools Agreement and relevant documentation will be posted to the TKI website for schools to access.
   
   If you enrolled in the previous New Zealand Schools' Agreement and wish to continue using the Microsoft software you received under that agreement and/or wish to use the updated software available under the new agreement, then you must re-enrol in the New Zealand Schools' Agreement.
   
   Schools that do not re-enrol may be audited and subsequently invoiced for the Microsoft software being used in their school.
   
   For those schools that do not have web access or do not respond to the e-mail, Datacom will call you individually and post out documentation where necessary.
   
   
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8. Am I able to use the Windows Professional upgrade CD from the media pack to install on the computers I have purchased with no operating systems on them?
   No. The operating systems covered under the Schools Agreement are upgrades only. Each PC must have an existing valid licence for a Microsoft Windows operating system for the PC that you wish to install windows XP/Vista software on.



9. Are the Microsoft Server products included in the agreement?
   No. Server licences, that is Windows 2003, Exchange 2003, and ISA, will still need to be purchased separately. This agreement is for desktop applications and server CALs only.



10. What will be in the Microsoft software media pack?
    The media pack that will be sent to schools will contain the CDs for the current versions of the software licensed by the agreement. Only schools registering for the Agreement will receive a pack.



11. Can we get extra media packs?
    Schools can obtain additional Microsoft software media from Datacom for a standard media charge of $48.95, plus courier fees.
    


12. What about computers owned by school staff?
    School staff members have the right to use all core products at home, for school-related purposes only, on one home computer they own or lease.



13. How do I add additional PCs to the Schools Agreement?
    In September of each year, Datacom will prompt you to fill out a Subscription Follow-up Enrolment. This gives you the opportunity to add any additional PCs in the form of core products. The cost will be covered by the Ministry.
    
    Any additional requirements for non-core products will also need to be recorded and schools will pay for these individually. Datacom will not send you any additional or non-core software until we receive payment from your school.
    
    
14. If some school computers are unable to run current versions of the Microsoft software, but will run earlier versions, will the agreement allow this?
    Yes, however as noted in question 10 the media packs will contain the CDs for the latest versions of the software only. If a school requires media for earlier versions of the software (for example, a copy of Office 2000), this media can be purchased from Datacom for a standard media charge of $48.95, plus courier fees.
    


15. What will it cost?
    The Ministry is funding the cost of the licence and one media pack per school. There is no cost to schools that choose to run only the core product set of software.
    
    
16. What support will be available to help me install the software?
    The agreement includes the license and media only. Set up and installation support for Schools Agreement media is available from the ICT Helpdesk on 0800 Call ICT (0800 2255428). Manuals are not included with the agreement and product training is not provided.
    
    
17. Where can I find out about my rights and obligations under the New Zealand Schools Agreement?
    Your primary sources of licensing information are:
    • License Rights document
    • Schools' Agreement document
    Some useful information is also contained in the Subscription Enrolment form. These documents can be found on the Datacom enrolment website. Additionally, you may call the Ministry's ICT Helpdesk for Schools for further information.
    
    
18. What happens if I choose not to license my software or fail to submit a Subscription Enrolment?
    If you continue using software received under this or the previous New Zealand School's Agreement and fail to submit a Subscription Enrolment form each year, then you are using the software illegally. In this situation you risk being prosecuted by Microsoft and/or permanently removed from the New Zealand Schools' Agreement.
    
    While schools are free to choose whether or not to participate in the New Zealand Schools' Agreement, if you choose not to register you must immediately delete any Microsoft software received under this or the previous Agreement from your eligible PCs.