Microsoft Licensing

Microsoft licensing covers how SQL Server, Windows Server, System Center, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Azure are sold and counted: per core, per user, per device or by subscription. Articles here explain the metrics, the minimums and the agreement types, from the Enterprise Agreement and CSP to SPLA, along with Software Assurance, CALs, Azure Hybrid Benefit and the rules for virtual machines. They are written for SAM and licensing teams preparing a true-up, a renewal or a Microsoft audit.

What you need to know about the Microsoft Product Terms document

By Alex Cojocaru | February 27, 2023

The Microsoft Product Terms document is a comprehensive guide that outlines the licensing terms and…

SQL Server’s History Is the Version on the Box.

By Alex Cojocaru | February 24, 2023

You opened a history URL. Keep it. This page is the lineage. It is not…

Microsoft Open Agreement: benefits, drawbacks, and negotiation tips

By Alex Cojocaru | February 13, 2023

Microsoft’s Open License Agreement is a popular licensing program that enables businesses to purchase Microsoft…

Microsoft CAL Suite Licenses Explained

By Alex Cojocaru | February 10, 2023

A CAL Suite is a single license that provides access rights to multiple Microsoft products…

Licensing Q&A: Why does Microsoft use different licensing models?

By Alex Cojocaru | February 9, 2023

Microsoft uses different licensing models to cater to different organizations’ varying needs and budget constraints.…

Microsoft Flexible Virtualization Benefit – What you need to know

By Alex Cojocaru | February 6, 2023

In Oct 2022, Microsoft revamped its licensing policies by integrating new options for outsourcing software…

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement: benefits, drawbacks, and negotiation tips

By Alex Cojocaru | January 31, 2023

The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is a volume licensing program designed for organizations with more…

Microsoft 365 licensing guide

By Alex Cojocaru | January 30, 2023

Microsoft 365 is like the ultimate tech bundle for companies. It’s licensed per user and…

Licensing Q&A: What is Microsoft 365?

By Alex Cojocaru | January 26, 2023

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service offered by Microsoft that provides a range of productivity,…

System Center 2022 Licenses Managed Cores. Standard Gets Two OSEs.

By Alex Cojocaru | January 25, 2023

You opened a 2022 licensing URL. Keep it. System Center 2022 is still what a…

Introduction to Microsoft Core licensing models

By Alex Cojocaru | January 24, 2023

If you’re new to Microsoft licensing one of the most basic concepts you need to…

Licensing Q&A: How do I determine which Windows Server edition is more economical?

By Alex Cojocaru | January 12, 2023

If you have a hard time trying to figure out whether to go for the…

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 licensing guide

By Alex Cojocaru | January 11, 2023

Want to know the ins and outs of Windows Server 2022 licensing? Look no further,…

Microsoft Volume Licensing guide

By Alex Cojocaru | January 6, 2023

If you’re looking to license Microsoft products for your organization, it’s important to understand the…

Microsoft 2023 price update

By Alex Cojocaru | January 5, 2023

Microsoft has announced plans to implement “price harmonization” in 2023, which involves bringing local currency…

Licensing Q&A: How do you license SQL Server 2022 in containers?

By Alex Cojocaru | January 5, 2023

SQL Server can be used on Linux and Docker platforms, which means you can run…

SQL Server 2022 Licenses Cores. VMs Need SA.

By Alex Cojocaru | January 4, 2023

You opened a 2022 licensing URL. Keep it. SQL Server 2022 is still what a…

Licensing Q&A: What are some optimization tips for Microsoft SQL Server?

By Alex Cojocaru | December 29, 2022

Licensing SQL Server can be expensive, and you use only a fraction of its capabilities…

Licensing Q&A: What to consider when deploying and licensing Microsoft SQL Server in a container environment?

By Alex Cojocaru | December 22, 2022

Understanding how containers work is the first step to successfully deploying and licensing Microsoft SQL…

SAM Spotlight: Microsoft SQL Server

By Alex Cojocaru | December 16, 2022

Short history Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system (DBMS) that Microsoft first released…