Hey everyone,
I work in a small school district and usually purchase our Office 2016 licenses through SHI each year. This time, I was shocked to see a quote that's 250% higher than normal. The salesperson mentioned that Minnesota's agreement with Microsoft requires upgrading to M365 A3 or higher for our Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES).
I'm curious if anyone else has faced this issue. We don't really need Office 365 online; I just want the standalone desktop version. Also, could someone clarify what I actually get with the A3 license? Does it include past versions, is it just web-based, or what? We typically use a volume licensing key for our laptops.
Any advice or insights would be appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
It sounds like what you're experiencing is becoming standard across many states. Licensing for older software like Office 2016 is getting more difficult since it’s nearing its end-of-support date. You might want to check out TechSoup if you want to stick with volume licensing.
Honestly, I’m surprised you’re still using 2016. With so many advancements in newer versions, it might be worth the transition. The A3 package includes various apps. Check Microsoft’s compare page for a better understanding of what it offers.
Keep in mind that Office 2016 will be out of support by October 2025, so upgrading may be a smart move in the long run. If you haven't explored it yet, you should look into the benefits of newer versions like 2021 that are available now.

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