Here’s a list of SPLA questions that I’ve been asked.  Hope you find it helpful.

1. Can I license SQL Web edition to host SharePoint?

No.  Why?  Because SQL Web Edition can only be used to host PUBLICLY accessible websites.  It also CANNOT be used to support line of business applications.

2. Is Exchange licensed by user or by mailbox?

By user.  SAL = User.

3. System Center….What does the client management suite include?

Service Manager, Operations Manager, DPM, and Orchestrator.

4. If I have SQL Enterprise installed and was reporting it prior (by user) – can we report SQL BI without uninstalling anything?  Reason we ask is SQL Enterprise user licenses are discontinued.

Unfortunately no.  Two different products.  Checkout http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx

5. Active/Passive…Do I need to licenses the passive server?

No. The passive secondary server used for failover support does not need to be separately licensed for SQL Server as long as it is truly passive. If it is serving data, such as reports to clients running active SQL Server workloads or performing any “work” such as additional backups from secondary servers, then it must be licensed for SQL Server.

6. My company is in Europe or Australia, how are my competitors offering lower prices?

Can’t answer that one publicly or else all your competitors would know too. I can promise you there are ways to reduce your costs, I just have to understand what you are reporting and why.  Email me your usage report and let’s chat. (blaforge@splalicensing.com).

7. My company is in the United States, how are my competitors offering lower prices?

See answer to question 6.

8. I want to offer VDI.

Good Luck.

9. I got an audit letter…what do I do?  

Nothing.  Email me and let’s walk through it.

10. Office – do I need to report it?

Will your application work the same without it?

11. I’m running SQL 2008, which is great because I can license it by processor..right?  I don’t have to license by core since I am not running 2012.

Wrong.  License by core if you signed a SPLA agreement between now and January, 2013.

12. I want to install customer owned Windows Server licenses in my datacenter.  

Do it.  Just make sure it’s dedicated.

13.  What’s something I should do now to ensure I am getting the most value from my SPLA expenditure?

People get worked up over the SPUR and forget about the actual SPLA agreement they signed.  Yes, the SPUR tells you how to license the products (not so clearly) but the agreement provides you insight into how the program works operationally.  It also tells you things that you CAN do with your SPLA.  Just don’t hand the agreement over to a lawyer, have them approve it, and never look at it again.  Big mistake in my opinion.

Thanks for reading…

SPLA Man