The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is for SA Customers, but…..

If you go to any Microsoft event and the topic of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP) is raised, they will always tell you that

 “The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack is only available to Microsoft Customers who have Software Assurance”

but what they always seem to fail to mention is that you must have Software Assurance on the SYSTEM POOL and that you have one MDOP license per PC that is covered under SA. 

It took me an email to Microsoft licensing to find out, but I was convinced there was a little bit more to their generalised statement.

To clarify you cannot buy the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP);  it is only available as a benefit to Microsoft Volume Licensing Customers who have elected to take out software assurance on the system pool.