1) Check your Microsoft donation allocation in the Volume Licensing Service Centre

When you order donated products through TechSoup New Zealand, they are processed through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Centre (VLSC). This is the portal used by enterprise and businesses to access their Microsoft products.

Once you log in, you will be able to get all the information you need about your licensing including:

• Access to your product downloads
• Access to your product keys
• How many products your have left in your allocation

2) Use your full allocation before it resets

Microsoft’s ordering allocation resets every 2 years. While Microsoft has a very generous allocation of donated products for each eligible charitable organisation, there can be cases where you may need more. If you’re planning a large roll out, one tip would be to by maximise your current allocation before the end of your 2 year cycle (which is different for each organisation) to make sure you have enough in your next allocation to see you through

3) Access older operating systems, but order the latest.

Because your charitable organisation access Microsoft donations through the Volume Licensing Service Centre (VLSC), you also receive downgrade rights.

While Windows 8.1 is very capable operating system that can be customised to fit in a desktop environment, some organisations may choose to use Windows 7. Through the VLSC, if you want to upgrade your computers to Windows 7 instead of Windows 8.1, you can order the Windows 8.1 Upgrade with Software Assurance (for future upgrades) but still have access to the Windows 7 installer through the VLSC free of charge.

As mentioned, Microsoft products with Software Assurance also have some additional benefits.

4) Get your Software Assurance benefits

Microsoft donations are provided to charitable organisation organisations under their Open License programme. This means you have access to a number of other benefits not available to Microsoft’s general retail customers. This includes:

• Upgrade to new Product Versions: Free upgrades to your software for 2 years
• Train your staff: For every qualifying license (such as Word or Windows OS) covered by Software Assurance, one person in your organization may access
• Get 24x7 Problem Resolution Support: Provides around-the-clock phone and web incident support for Microsoft server and desktop products

As Open License holders, there are also a range of other benefits you are entitled to through Microsoft’s Software Assurance programme that comes with a number of donations. To find out more about maximising your Software Assurance, visit our help and support pages.

Order Microsoft donations

To order donated software from Microsoft, log in with your eligible charitable organisation account on Connecting Up and go to the Microsoft Donations products to place your orders.

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