Microsoft PML

April 1, 2012

March 31, 2015

Added March 2, 2012 - A FAQ regarding this agreement to help members make informed decisions. Check this list for common questions received by ERAC.

Time to Renew Provincial Microsoft Licensing!

ERAC is pleased to announce an exciting new change in the Provincial Microsoft Licensing Program! At a meeting on January 13, 2012, members of the ERAC Executive Committee made a decision to move all members currently participating in the ERAC Provincial Microsoft Licensing (PML) Agreement to a common Microsoft E Desktop Solution, which gives all participants access to the latest versions Office Professional, Windows operating systems and the ECAL Suite.

Following that decision ERAC, in partnership with HEITBC, issued an RFP for the renewal of the PML agreement. Acrodex is the successful LAR, as chosen by a joint evaluation committee made up of ERAC and HEITBC representatives, using objective criteria and a structured evaluation process.

The Microsoft PML Agreement is one of ERAC’s most successful initiatives because it offers many benefits to members.

What Products Are Available?

Under this agreement, all participating members will have access to the Microsoft E Desktop Solution which includes the products outlined below.

Windows Pro Upgrade
Office Professional
Enterprise CAL which includes:
- Windows Server Standard
- Exchange Server Standard
- SharePoint Server Standard
- Lync Server Standard
- System Center Configuration Manager
- Forefront Endpoint Protection
- Active Directory Rights Management Services
- Exchange Server Enterprise
- SharePoint Server Enterprise
- Lync Server Enterprise
- System Center Client Management Suite
- Forefront Protection Suite
- Forefront Unified Access Gateway

To view the benefits your District or school can derive from the individual components of E Desktop, click here.

ERAC believes there is tremendous value in moving all participating members to the full E Desktop solution to not only have a standard infrastructure in the province, but to have all members ready to build on this common infrastructure for sharing development costs, adding new services such as Voice Over IP (VOIP), and to access common portals such as those proposed in the digital content management system.

Value Added Benefits

ERAC is committed to helping all members realize the full benefit of the E Desktop Solution over the term of the 3-year agreement and will be rolling out a series of activities and support services offered by Microsoft and Acrodex as part of this agreement. Full details will be available as each activity is launched. For a list of the Value Added Benefits included with this agreement, click here.

How Do I Access These Discounts?

Pricing for the Microsoft PML agreement is strictly confidential. This is a 3-year agreement and members must opt in or out now for the full term of the agreement. Subscription fees will be invoiced on an annual basis in March for the April 1 annual renewal date. The annual subscriptions run from April 1 to March 31 of each year.

The Secretary Treasurers of ERAC member Districts and schools have received an Agreement to Participate form via email. Upon returning your signed Agreement to Participate form to ERAC, your District or school will receive an invoice directly from Acrodex. These are Time Sensitive Documents and must be returned by the date indicated on the Agreement to Participate in order to assure your conclusion in the agreement. Districts and schools that have not participated previously have the opportunity to opt in to the program now.