SPLA.

The perfect choice. Service Provider Licence Agreement (SPLA) with Bechtle-Comsoft.

Is more than just an experienced, qualified licensing specialist and Microsoft Licensing Solution Partner (LSP). Bechtle-Comsoft is also an official, authorised SPLA reseller, a distinction that underlines our commitment to quality and reliability as both a cloud services provider and licensing & software consultant.

What we offer.

  • Conclude SPLA
  • Provide templates to simplify reporting
  • Review and forward monthly use reports (including zero-use reports) to Microsoft
  • Accept payment for licences used in the previous month
  • Provide support for all licensing and customer-specific questions regarding the SPLA programme
  • Proactively inform you of all new SPLA developments and price updates

Is SPLA the right choice for your business?

The SPLA programme lets you licence Microsoft software products for software services. You provide these services from one or more data centres through the Internet, a telephony network or a private network on a rental, subscription or service basis. Microsoft’s SPLA is a versatile programme suitable for various different business models and usage scenarios.

The following providers can benefit from SPLAs:

  • Web hosting providers
  • Application service providers
  • Messaging or collaboration service providers
  • Platform infrastructure providers
  • Streaming media providers
  • Web or Internet service providers
  • ISVs that provide hosted applications
  • IT outsourcers that provide software licences
  • Business process outsourcers (BPO) that provide software licences
  • Consultants that provide software services
  • Franchisors and franchisees

When is an SPLA required for hosting or service providers?

You want to provide commercially hosted services.

The SPLA programme allows you to commercially host Microsoft licenced products, unlike other Microsoft volume licensing programmes such as Enterprise Agreement, Select Plus and Open Licence. This includes the right to use them to provide software services for your customers or third parties.

You want to rent software services.

The SPLA programme authorises you to provide software services on a rental basis to third parties who do not want to purchase their own licences.

You want to provide software services in a shared hosting environment.

SPLAs give you greater flexibility when licensing Microsoft products to your customers in a dedicated or shared hosting environment, letting you manage the services and Microsoft product user rights for your customers.

You only want to pay for the software that is actually used.

SPLAs offer licensing fees on a monthly basis, meaning you only pay for what you authorised your customers to use during the previous month. This also gives you the option to reduce the number of licences (true-down) each month. Licences are reported in accordance with Microsoft’s Services Provider Use Rights (SPUR).
SPUR
ServicesProviderUseRights
Download (pdf)
  • Additional advantages.
  • No start-up costs.

There are no start-up costs, monthly minimums or long-term commitments.

  • Easy to budget. 

Prices are generally adjusted only once a year in January.

  • Global.

Microsoft licenced products can be used to sell your services to customers anywhere in the world, no matter where you’re located.

  • Extensive Microsoft portfolio.

You have access to a wide range of server products and PC applications.

  • The very latest product versions.

SPLAs provide you with the newest versions of Microsoft products, giving you and your customers access to the latest security updates and features.

  • Try before you buy.

Evaluate your Microsoft licenced products in house before offering them to customers as a service. In addition, your customers get a free 60-day trial of the software you offer.

  • Prices for academic institutions.

Software services can be provided to academic institutions—such as schools and universities—at attractive prices.