Hello Everyone,

In a recent post, I let you all know about our new program called DreamSpark and, as a consequence of that post, we have had some interesting questions about the differences between MSDN AA, ELMS and DreamSpark.

So to clarify a little, please find below a quick outline of the programs on offer.

MSDN AA

MSDN AA is the easiest and most inexpensive way for students and academics in the technology and design fields to get the latest Microsoft software they need. MSDN AA comes in three bands, for three different audiences:

· Developer

· Design

· High School

With each of the above bands, you will get access to software which is directly relevant to your study area: Developer is for the STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, Maths) audience, Design is for the VIDA (Visualization, Illustration, Design, Art) audience and High School is for teachers and pupils in further education.

For example, a developer audience would have operating systems together with developer and server software, whereas a design audience would have software such as Microsoft Expression.

ELMS

Of course it is all very well having all this free software available for use but what about all the license and administrative issues that come with them? Well this is where ELMS comes in.

ELMS is not a program as such, but a delivery mechanism; a way on managing your MSDN AA licenses. With MSDN AA, you can use your software not only within the department but also to loan to your students.

The e-academy Licensing Management System enables you to create a download centre for your students so that they can access software whilst you get on with doing what you do best and without the usual overheads to departmental workloads. And best of all it is free – if you have an MSDN AA subscription, ELMS is free for you to sign-up to and use.

DreamSpark

DreamSpark is simple: it's a brand new program for providing students with Microsoft tools at no charge. Like MSDN AA, DreamSpark provides professional design and developer products but where it differs from MSDN AA is that it is available to every student regardless of study area. So no matter whether your students study computer science, french, law, nursing, or any other subject, they are able to sign-up and download these products.

I hope this has answered a few of your questions. Of course you can find out more about MSDN AA, DreamSpark and ELMS by clicking on the heading of each section to visit the relevant web pages.

Best wishes,

Allison