MSDN and Expression Volume License Administration

Get started by downloading the MSDN Subscriptions Benefit Administration Guide.  This guide is for people responsible for managing MSDN and Expression subscription licenses purchased through a Microsoft Volume Licensing program.

Next, you can access the MSDN Subscriptions Benefits Administration Tool after signing in to one of the following sites:

• Microsoft Volume License Services (MVLS) site (for most Volume License programs)
• Microsoft eOpen site (for Open License customers)

Tips and Best Practices

Keep the following things in mind when you use the MSDN Subscriptions Benefit Administration tool:

• MSDN Subscriptions are licensed per user. Even though the tool allows you to assign multiple licenses to a user, you should make sure that each user is assigned only one MSDN Subscription license. Licensed users can use the software on as many computers as needed.
• Assign the managed newsgroup, online concierge, and support incident benefits to each user. Even if you wish to limit access to software downloads, it is best to provide your users with all the support options they’re entitled to under their MSDN Subscription.
• Assign a license to each user you add to the registration tool. While the tool allows you to not assign a license to a user when you add them, you should do so anyway. The only case in which you should not assign a license is when the user you add to the tool is an IT staff person who manages the distribution of software but does not install or use the software. Do not assign these users any support benefits.
• Assign only one benefit level for each user, according to the MSDN Subscription license you have purchased. If you have users with more than one download level assigned to them, edit their settings so that they only have one.
• Ensure that each user's benefit level and license match. Be sure to assign only one benefit level and one license to each user, and make sure that they are the same.
• Do not share benefits between users. A subscription license comes with software use rights and support, and users who receive all or part of these benefits must have a license assigned to them.