In this article, let’s review the new licensing changes in greater detail. A LOT of questions on this change, so let’s get started! As always, if you have questions, please email info@splalicensing.com
Windows Server
For starters, Windows Server licensing rule change. In the past, (not specifically for SPLA) Windows Server was only available in CSP for Windows Standard edition. Fast forward to today, CSP will now have both Standard and Datacenter options. Great!
For end customers, they also have the option to license Windows Server by virtual machine, making it easier to move Windows Server workloads to a public cloud (as long as the hoster is not a Listed Provider). Other requirement is the Windows Server MUST have Software Assurance. No SA, NO outsourcer.
My Take?
Great move although now Hosters REALLY need to educate themselves on pricing options and licensing rules. DO NOT try and do this without assistance. Think about this from an end customer perspective:
1. They can leverage their EA to move to the cloud for Windows Server. Question is do they have SA on ALL workloads and associated CALs?
2. They can move workloads such as Office, Visio, and Project as well as Windows 11. Do you know the purchasing rights and do you know for certain they have SA? Are you CSP Direct? See below for more details on Office.
3. Is it less expensive for them to buy Windows Datacenter licenses through you in SPLA instead of buying perpetual licenses? That is the big question and often overlooked.
4. How are you going to track CSP, On -premise, and SPLA?
Our team can help you identify the best option for your customers. I also believe this is a GREAT way to differentiate yourself amongst your competitors. I work with SPLA partners all over the world, the one common denominator is not understanding the licensing rules and trying to do this alone. The best option is to outsource your licensing if you are unsure of what to do and how to properly educate your customers. Need help? Email us at info@splalicensing.com
Office, Visio, Project
If your end customer has license AND SA, they can use and authorized outsourcer (you if you meet the requirements) for shared hosting. Other terms may apply so stay tuned. If your end customer has license only, you have to isolate the hardware for the customer.
My Take?
This is great considering it provides options, but tracking the licenses may be difficult. This is especially true if you use a Listed Provider such as AWS. Most of these new rules do not apply to Listed Providers so stay on top of it!
Microsoft 365
If you purchase these licenses through CSP or through volume licensing the end customer has the ability to leverage an existing Authorized Outsourcer for both dedicated and shared environments. This is not defined as License Mobility, but “Extended Use Rights”
My Take?
Same as above to be honest. Windows Server and SQL have the same benefit in CSP (sorry, forgot to mention that) but the complexity still exists. As an example, for Windows Server through CSP, not only are you purchasing the Server licenses, but you are required to buy CALs. In SPLA, no CAL requirement to host. Microsoft 365 is a big deal and will be a bigger deal once they open it up to everyone.\
Windows 11
The big news here is mobility and the removal of a Qualified Operating System for VDA deployments. There’s going to be a lot of information on this. Microsoft stated the following:
Source: Microsoft Sept 2022 training
Other announcements? Last but not least….CSP for Hoster program. Basically allows hosters to deploy and manage CSP workloads from a datacenter environment.
Must be QMTH authorized, have an active SPLA and be CSP Direct. More details on this to follow. If you have a question, I encourage you to email us at info@splalicensing.com to help walk us through your specific questions.
Thanks for reading,
SPLA Man
SPLA Licensing 