Microsoft Server Subscriptions

A NEW COMMERCIAL MODEL THAT OFFERS MASSIVE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO CUSTOMERS

The new model of Microsoft server subscriptions allows customers to purchase one-year or three-year subscriptions of Windows Server Standard, SQL Server Standard and SQL Server Enterprise licenses. The new Microsoft server subscriptions’ model gives access to the Azure Hybrid Benefit, meaning that customers may install the licenses on-premises or use them to license the products within an Azure virtual machine. Overall, customers can now acquire Windows Server, SQL Server (Standard and Enterprise editions) and Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CAL) (per user and per device) as a subscription and take advantage of the Azure Hybrid Benefit without the need to purchase Software Assurance. However, customers also get access to other Software Assurance benefits, for which previously they would have had to purchase Software Assurance separately.

COST-SAVING

When combining the cost savings gain from Azure RIs with added value of the Azure Hybrid Benefit, customers can save up to 79% when compared to a Pay-as-you-Go VM with Windows Server.

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

Customers who buy Server Subscriptions for Windows Server or SQL Server are entitled to the Azure Hybrid Benefit and thus may choose to use these licenses for Azure virtual machines or in on-premises deployments. If they use them for an on-premises deployment, the usual licensing rules for these products apply, as detailed in the Product Terms. Customers are additionally granted rights equivalent to a subset of the rights provided to Software Assurance customers as below:

Self-Hosting

Disaster Recovery

Semi-Annual Channel Releases

Self-Hosting

Disaster Recovery

Semi-Annual Channel Releases

Fail-over Rights

Unlimited Virtualization

Power BI Report Server