Information Technology News

Microsoft Licensing Changes

Microsoft has made significant changes in the programs under which UC has been making volume purchases of Microsoft operating systems and application software.

The new Microsoft Academic Select 6.0 (”Select”) and Microsoft Academic Campus 4.0 (”Campus”) agreements allow departments two ways of securing the tools they need.

Some of these changes (such as a more limited range of upgrade paths) constrain UC software buyers; other changes offer significant opportunities for lower costs, with adequate planning. This article can only introduce the topic. If you are responsible for planning software purchases for your department, NACS is ready to work with you to evaluate the new licensing programs and help you make the best decisions for your situation.

“Select” allows for discounted purchases of licenses, upgrades, and upgrade programs. To make the most economical purchase decisions, it is important that software buyers anticipate the usable life of their computers and the frequency of upgrades to software (such as Windows, Word, or Excel) desired on that computer.

“Campus” allows a department to “lease” computer software at prices proportional to the number of staff rather than the number of computers. Advantages include regular software updates, and inexpensive licensing for computer labs.

Changes to Windows and other Microsoft software make it more important than ever to plan carefully, and track the software licensed and installed in each department. Microsoft has also announced retirement schedules for older versions of its software, after which support, upgrades, and security fixes will not be available.

NACS has been working with departmental representatives to help departments assess their needs in light of the new programs. If you have any questions about “Select” or “Campus”, please contact your Computing Support Coordinator, or visit these web sites:

• http://www.ucop.edu/irc/tas/agreetoc.html (UC license agreements page)
• http://www.nacs.uci.edu/licenses/ (NACS software licensing documentation)

New Software Reseller

UC has for many years coordinated certain discount licenses for the campuses. Acquiring software at a discount under these terms requires purchase through selected resellers.

On October 1, Technology Resource Center (TRC) replaced Software Spectrum as UC’s reseller for the systemwide Microsoft, FileMaker, Adobe, IBM/Lotus, and Symantec agreements. TRC’s special UC website is http://www.gotrc.com/casystemsstore.htm. You can also request an online account to order software licenses and media online. Contact Barbie Bower at TRC. (Contact information may be found on the Licensing web page,http://licenses.nacs.uci.edu/)

Caller ID

Over the Christmas break, NACS implemented incoming Caller ID on the campus telephone system. On campus phones that have an LCD display, the phone number of the calling party will now be displayed when off-campus calls are received. An outside caller may have Caller ID blocked on his/her telephone; in this case the word “public” or “private” will be displayed instead of the caller’s telephone number.

NACS has completed the implementation of outgoing Caller ID as well. Previously, the originating phone number was provided to the remote party only for a subset of outgoing, off-campus calls in the local area. Now all outbound calls will pass along the caller’s UCI telephone number.

To request Caller ID blocking, please submit a NACS Service Request Form available at http://www.nacs.uci.edu/communication/telephone.html. The fee is $10 to block Caller ID on 1-3 phones. This fee will be waived for requests received by NACS before March 1, 2002.

If you have questions or concerns about Caller ID, please contact NACS at extension 4-5123, or send e-mail to nacs@uci.edu