MacNN notes that Apple has recently revised its educational software licensing offerings for institutions, introducing a new Apple Education Licensing Program organized around annual licensing rather than software update cycles.
The new Apple Education Licensing Program makes it easier to keep your institution's Apple software current and compliant. Coverage is purchased annually, keeping costs consistent year after year, and the new bundle structure allows you to manage against a single expiration date. Each license renewal provides one year of coverage, including any new releases that become available during the year.
Furthermore, Apple is now bundling its operating system offering with iLife and iWork into a single package to encourage adoption of its media and productivity tools. Pricing for the basic "Mac Software Collection" bundle of the three basic software products begins at US$899 per year for 25 seats, or $35.96 for each machine. Various additional levels are also available for larger purchases, topping out at $199,999 package covering institutions with 10,000 machines for a cost of $20 per machine if all licenses are used. Apple also requires that 100% of an institution's "installed base" of Macs be covered when participating in the program.
Apple offers annual volume licensing on a number of other software offerings under the program, including such professional applications as Aperture, Final Cut, and Logic, as well as IT-focused software. These specialized software offerings beyond the basic Mac Software Collection do not generally require 100% coverage, except for professional applications being purchased at the departmental level of higher education institutions.
The program also typically requires an enrollment fee equal to 10% of the annual purchase price, although the fee is being waived through December 13th for new customers and existing customers converting from previous software licensing programs. Additional details on the Apple Education Licensing Program, which appears to have been quietly launched on September 15th, are available in Apple's FAQ.
