Keeping Up With The Latest In Microsoft Licensing
Given the vast array of Microsoft products and licensing categories, an organization may often feel overwhelmed by Microsoft’s policies. While there may be some complexity, these series of posts are designed to provide up to date commentary and analysis on new programs as they become available. Feel free to reach out in the comments section with any questions, comments, and clarifications on the analysis.
Product And Program News
- Enrollment For Application Platform (EAP) Updates. What is it?: The new updates include SQL Server 2008 R2, Visual Studio 2010, and SharePoint Server 2010. SQL Server prices for EAP go up with Standard receiving a 25% hike and Enterprise Editions a 15% increase. Customers who buy Visual Studio products with Software Assurance (SA) receive Microsoft Development Network (MSDN) subscription benefits. SharePoint Server for Internet Sites is updated for SharePoint Server for Internet Sites Enterprise. Who’s impacted?: Customers who are standardizing application platforms on products such as BizTalk Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, and Visual Studio . When’s it effective?: This program begins May 3rd, 2010. Point Of View (POV): EAP is a program for customers interested in standardizing on the Microsoft Server Platform. Price savings for new licenses range from 15% on Standard Edition to 40% on Premium Editions. Overall, the program makes sense because it allows customers unlimited usage with annual or three year true up terms that create a flexible approach towards standardizing on Microsoft. Other benefits include rights to the latest version of products and the flexibility to deploy unlimited incremental units. Customers also receive 100 percent Software Assurance (SA) coverage on footprint for included products. While the price increase on SQL Server is definitely not welcomed, this may be the time to look at Software Assurance (SA). The new version does come with additional features such as data compression, Master Data Services, StreamInsight, and PowerPivot.On the Visual Studio front, customers will notice the replacement of the Visual Studio Developer Tools group with Visual Studio Ultimate with MSDN, Visual Studio Premium with MSDN and Visual Studio Professional. Ultimate and Premium versions now count towards the minimum requirements. Users also receive access to Visual Studio Test Professional, Visual Studio Team Explorer Everywhere. Finally, the new plan replaces the Visual Studio Test Load Agent with Visual Studio Load Test Virtual User Pack.
- Office 2010 and “Wave 14″ Products Launch. What is it?: Office 2010 suite, Project 2010, Sharepoint 2010, Visio 2010, and the updated ECAL suite are now in the Volume Licensing channel in the May 2010 price list. Who’s eligible?: All customers. When’s it effective?: This program starts in the retail channel (FPP) when products become General Availaiblity (GA) in June 2010. POV: Movement to the Volume Licensing channel makes sense as Office 2010 and “Wave 14″ products represent a core customer purchase. Keep in mind only Office Professional Plus 2010 and Office Standard 2010 qualify for Volume Licensing. Office Home 2010 and Office Professional 2010 do not qualify.
- Forefront Protection 2010 For SharePoint Available May 2010. What is it?: Forefront Protection is added to the Volume Licensing Price List. Who’s eligible?: All customers in standalone purchase, Forefront Protection Suite, and part of the Enterprise CAL suite. When’s it effective?: The program begins May 2010. POV: Forefront has improved and new security partnerships keep users from uploading or downloading content that may contain security breaches, malware, out-of-policy content, to SharePoint libraries. Users should do a quick cost comparison before moving this into the Enterprise CAL suite as standalone purchases in some cases may prove to be more flexible during the initial trial phase.
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