Adobe volume licensing programs

Adobe Volume Licensing, or AVL, replaces Adobe Open Options (AOO) 4.5 as the next generation of Adobe's volume licensing programs. Under Adobe's volume licensing programs, a customer's orders are converted into points, which indicate the level of volume discount the customer receives for that particular order or within a membership term. Adobe offers a transaction-based program and a two-year membership program.

While there are many similarities between both programs, there are significant differences as well. Some of the differences from AOO to AVL are enhancements to Adobe's Licensing Web Site (LWS), introduction of Product Pools, changed point values for entry into the discount levels, and more regional offerings.

The AVL release is scheduled for October 14, 2009.

The changes that will be made in AVL at a high level are outlined here. For full details, contact your local Adobe account manager or reseller.

Adobe is introducing the concept of Product Pools, which are groups of products with a similar deployment model. The Applications Pool, consisting of what are known today as Adobe's desktop products, will be available in October 2009. The Server Pool, consisting of Adobe's server-based products, will be made available in a future phase of AVL.

The evolution of Adobe's volume licensing programs includes changes to the Commercial, Education, and Government discount level values. Some of the changes to TLP 5 include a reduction in the number of discount levels in Commercial and Education from three levels to two levels, and an increase in the TLP 5 discount level 2 threshold. CLP 5 Commercial and Government discount level changes an increase in CLP 5 Commercial discount level 2, 3, and 4 thresholds. The minimum number of entry points required for CLP 5 Education members has been reduced, allowing more customers to qualify for entry into the CLP 5 program.

The LWS will be significantly enhanced to include a new user interface and improved license management and reporting capabilities. Every qualified LWS user will receive a unique login, which will now be based on the user's e-mail address. In addition, users will have the ability to set and reset their own password.

Electronic Software Delivery (ESD) will now be included at no cost with TLP 5 orders and Upgrade Plan will be a percentage of license.

AVL contains changes to the CLP renewal policy as well. With AOO 4.5, the accumulated number of points at the end of a membership term are divided by two to calculate the discount level qualification with no minimum order required. With AVL, the accumulated points at the end of the CLP 5 membership term are no longer divided by two — the number of points accumulated indicate the level at which a CLP 5 member can renew with no minimum order required.

In the first phase of AVL, Adobe will continue to offer the same products as are offered today under AOO 4.5, which will now be known as the Applications Pool. To determine which Adobe products are available under the TLP and CLP licensing programs today in your region, see the discount level calculator.

In a later phase of AVL, Adobe will introduce the Server Pool, which will allow server-based products to be licensed under the AVL program. All qualified Applications and Server Pool orders will contribute to the order or membership point total.

For further information, contact your local Adobe account manager or reseller.

Adobe is transitioning to its next generation of volume licensing programs to improve the customer experience, allow the ability to introduce new business models, and offer customers more features and greater flexibility.

As with AOO 4.5, the key benefits of AVL include the ability to save money, maintain control of Adobe volume licenses, and take advantage of volume licensing resources. The Adobe LWS allows you to track your volume licenses in one central place, helping you save time, maintain control, and gain administrative efficiencies. AVL improves upon AOO 4.5 with an enhanced LWS, and in a later phase of AVL, a consolidated program that will allow application and server-based products to be ordered under either TLP 5 or CLP 5, with all qualified orders contributing to the order or membership point total. Entry-level qualification minimums have been reduced for CLP 5 Education customers worldwide — making it easier for customers to take advantage of the benefits of CLP.

Changes to the discount levels and point changes were made to more accurately reflect Adobe's volume licensing customer purchases today and in the future, and to allow Adobe to reward its most loyal customers — who purchase large quantities over time — with additional discount opportunities. The ability to accumulate points with server-based products in a later phase of AVL will enable volume licensing customers to more easily achieve the new point level thresholds of the AVL discount level structure.

The LWS enhancements include a new look and feel that will provide customers a better user experience, with improved login and password features and more automated processes that save administrative time. A key feature allows program members to grant LWS access to others within their organization, with every qualified user receiving a unique login. Users also have the ability to set and reset their own password.

Adobe will honour all existing AOO 4.5 CLP memberships through the end of their term. All AOO 4.5 customers will receive communications via e-mail 90 days before expiration with instructions on how to renew their Adobe CLP volume licensing membership.

If you're a current TLP Open Options customer, after October 2, 2009, all TLP purchases will automatically be processed under the new AVL TLP 5 program.

If you have questions before then and would like to speak to someone in person, contact your local Adobe account manager or reseller.

Until October 2, 2009, the single volume licensing option for customers will be AOO 4.5. After October 2, the single volume licensing option for customers will be AVL.

The last day to place orders under TLP 4.5 for guaranteed processing is September 29, 2009. The last day to enroll or renew online in CLP 4.5 is October 2, 2009.

If you are a current or prospective Adobe volume licensing customer, visit this page for the latest AVL information, or contact your local Adobe account manager or reseller for more information.