In June 2010, the Ministry signed a new three-year agreement with Microsoft Canada to continue to make the most current version of Microsoft Office available across the K-12 learning system at no cost to school boards. Costs for the renewed Provincial Microsoft Licensing (PML) will continue to be funded by Alberta Education. The new agreement encompasses license renewals for Microsoft Office Enterprise 2010, and includes full downgrade rights for all previously supported versions of Microsoft Office. This agreement remains in effect until June 1, 2013.

One significant difference with the new agreement is the home use benefit associated with the program. Instead of the current Work-at-Home Rights (WAHR) program and ordering processes, eligible certificated staff from participating stakeholder organizations will now order under Microsoft's new Home-Use-Program (HUP) initiative.

The HUP program allows for:

• Direct digital downloads of the current versions of Microsoft Office that can be used at all times. Under WAHR, Microsoft Office on home computers was to be used for work-related purposes only;
• The option of ordering physical backup media (at an additional cost) and having it shipped directly to the staff member's home; and
• Ordering through a Microsoft-managed site without intervention of Ministry or jurisdiction IT personnel.

You will be receiving communications from your jurisdiction on how to order through the Home-Use-Program.

For further information on PML or HUP, please contact:

• Your Primary IT Contact for the Jurisdiction
  
  
• In the Ministry of Education:
  
  Edna Dach, Education Manager
  School Technology, Alberta Education
  Phone: 780-644-4586 (toll-free in Alberta by dialling 310-0000 first)
  E-mail: Edna.Dach@gov.ab.ca
  
  or
  
  Jason Paradis, Manager
  Electronic Delivery and Customer Support Services
  Learning Resources Centre, Alberta Education
  Ph. 780-427-5293 (toll-free in Alberta by dialling 310-0000 first)