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Today, Apple released a new licensing scheme for K-12 and higher education. The new plan is aimed at reducing paperwork and headaches for school administrators while at the same time saving institutions money and making software audits easier.
Interestingly, they’ve also bundled iLife and iWork into the basic OS package which will likely put the software on many more educational machines. Millions more. Until now iWork has been a separate purchase and often left off of lab computers and kiosks in favor of Microsoft Office.
At 10,000 seats, for instance, the cost of the OS/iLife/iWork package is $20/seat.
Whether or not this is to just simplify purchasing or a response to Google Apps gaining a foothold in education isn’t certain.
The move will also put the iLife suite in front of millions more potential switchers and could even provide an interesting way for institutions with Mobile Network Home directories to let their students manage their image, movie and music libraries.
From Apple
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.
Under the new program, you can also license the Mac Software Collection and professional applications for students to use and take with them after graduation.
Apple software can be distributed through your institution’s secured network or physical media kits—the choice is yours. A one-time enrollment fee (10 percent of the annual purchase price) is required when your institution signs up for a license. If you enroll before December 13, 2009, Apple will waive the enrollment fee.
Some prices are listed below for institutes of higher learning.
via MacNN
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