Business Services
SQL Server Licensing
SQL Server 2016 is Microsoft’s relational database server-based software which provides all the development and management for databases. Microsoft offers its flagship database server software in two editions, Standard and Enterprise. The Standard edition offers the basic database as well as reporting and analytics. The Enterprise version provides the same software as Standard but with the addition of tools used in analyzing both business and financial data, development of mission critical applications as well as features for data warehousing.
As implied by the two different versions, Microsoft licenses these in different ways. The Standard version makes use of both the server/CAL and core-based licensing models. However, the Enterprise edition only offers core-based licensing for the version.
Core-based licensing requires a minimum of four server cores and an equal number of SQL server software copies. More cores can be licensed, but more copies must be obtained. Meanwhile, the server/CAL licensing model provides a license per server. However, each user or device which will be accessing the server must also have an access license. As such, the exact number of users and devices must be known and licensed.
Windows Server Licensing
Microsoft’s latest server operating system, Windows Server 2016, features the latest in server computing technologies including cloud readiness. There are three main versions of Windows Server 2016, Data-center, Standard and Essentials editions. Each of these editions offers variations of the operating system to power business applications via the newest innovations even on the cloud.
With the arrival of Windows Server 2016, Microsoft shifted from a processor-based licensing model to one which is centered around the number of cores which provides greater consistency for licensing metrics even across multi-cloud environments. Additionally, this new licensing model improves workload portability and removes friction between conflicting licensing models.
Server-based CAL’s are still required in licensing which includes a CAL for the server and one for every user or device which will be accessing the server. This requires maintenance of the number of CAL licenses needed by an organization.
The core-based licensing model requires a minimum of eight cores in a processor and a minimum of two processors per server. Licensing for Hyper-V virtual machines also require additional licensing per core used. Consult with your sales representative for pricing options and packages.
Microsoft Open Licensing
Using its open licensing program, Microsoft offers a variety of organizations the opportunity to purchase volume licenses at a reduced price. The licensing program is ideal for organizations such as charities, schools, businesses and government varying in size from 2 to 250. The program can also accommodate up to 750 machines.
Microsoft Open Licensing is comprised of three main programs, Open License, Open Value and Open Subscription. The Open License program is further sub-divided into Open License for Charities, Open License for Government and Open License for Education. Open License for Charity offers a reduced cost licensing program to eligible charities only through Microsoft resellers over a renewable two-year period. Open License for Government is also a two-year program with perpetual licensing but also offers solutions such as Open Value and Open Subscription for Government. This government program uses different partner channels and pricing. Open License for education provides lower cost licensing for eligible academic organizations and is only offered through qualifying program resellers.
The primary business licensing programs work on two-year agreements with perpetual licensing. Open License is available through any Microsoft reseller and provides qualifying businesses with lower cost licensing options as a pay-as-you-go program. The Open Value licensing program is similar but allows for annual payments rather than upfront purchases. The Open Subscription licensing option provides the most flexible avenue for less expensive licensing for qualifying businesses. Instead of using perpetual licensing, subscriptions allow for flexible licensing counts through the Microsoft Software Assurance program. All three of these business licensing programs provide Software Assurance.
Office 365 Business Plans
License plans for Office 365 offers the power of Microsoft Office in business plans with every size business in mind. License plans can be mixed and matched for varying needs within organizations while plan levels exist for a variety of different sized companies. All levels of Office 365 business plans can be licensed at monthly and annual rates. However, Enterprise level agreements are only available as annual licenses due to the higher number of features available.
Microsoft Office 365 business plans are available in three variations: Office 365 Business Essentials, Office 365 Business and Office 365 Business Premium. Each of these licensing levels are designed for businesses with fewer than 300 users. Depending on business needs, more office applications are available in the premium version.
The annually licensed enterprise-class Office products are offered in four different license plans: Office 365 Enterprise E1, Office 365 Enterprise E3, Office 365 Enterprise E5 and Office 365 Enterprise ProPlus. Each plan varies in what it provides though there is some overlap among the primary features.
For more information about Office 365 Business and Enterprise class licensing contact one of our sales representatives.
Exchange Server / Exchange Online Migrations
Microsoft offers several options when it comes to email solutions. Exchange Server 2016 is the latest hosted software version available in Standard and Enterprise editions. The Standard edition offers a robust email platform with a limit of five email databases. The Enterprise edition provides a wider range of features for larger organizations plus up to 100 email databases. Licensing is required by server and user/device CAL’s. Multiple users who work on the same device and do not need a home use license can share a single device license.
Exchange online provides the same robust email features available in the self-hosted server package. The difference is that the online version is a subscription model where each user must have a User Subscription License (USL). Plans are offered in three different versions: Exchange Online Kiosk, Exchange Online Plan 1 and Exchange Online Plan 2. These online plans vary in pricing and features, topping out with the Online Plan 2 which comes with 100 GB of mailbox storage, unlimited storage (inclusive of additional archiving features), unified messaging and control of sensitive business information with data loss prevention.
Royal discount also offers exchange online migrations. Contact one of our representatives for more information.
Microsoft Audit Recovery
While software audits by Microsoft can occur, correct planning and licensing often help mitigate such occurrences. Properly managing CALs for various Microsoft products can also reduce costs. An audit from Microsoft can correct several licensing issues, so management should be a priority to avoid budgetary overruns, unforeseen fees or even legal issues. Royal discount provides licensing assistance when Microsoft products are acquired with additional consultation to reduce cost and fraudulent software exposure.
Additionally, misuse of software can incur worse problems with security, virus and data loss possible. With a solid approach, businesses can avoid these problems as well as frustrating audits by Microsoft which can lead to fees or legal issues. Royal discount protects client privacy and never discloses any information to Microsoft regarding client environments. Engage one of our representatives to explore your best options for properly licensing your Microsoft products.
Azure Cloud Services
Azure Cloud Services is Microsoft’s robust cloud platform available in 50 Azure regions with 100 highly available products. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the cost savings and performance gains while leveraging powerful, innovative technology available from Microsoft. Azure provides a wide range of tools to plan and manage any size implementation.
Among the most widely used services available in Azure are VM’s, Azure SQL database, Windows Server 2016, and many other hosted services. A variety of backup services are also available even with high availability implementations so that customers never experience an outage. Virtual server instances have been tested for a wide range of operating systems and applications with support available for many of those tested.
Microsoft products offered in the cloud run natively so that business customers never need worry about compatibility with their cloud platform. Even the smallest to the largest business customers can leverage Microsoft’s cloud platform with all the latest tools, development platforms and applications for a best-in-class experience. Contact one of Royal discounts representatives for more information about Azure Cloud Services.
Remote Desktop Services
Microsoft provides cloud-based computing for any need through its Remote Desktop Services. RDS offers consistent application availability from the cloud with a variety of options. Businesses with a large number of redundant user needs can provide standard sessions for common applications at a low cost. For the need for more robust virtualization, full Remote Desktop’s are also available and can be customized to suit higher-end user performance with storage available within the cloud. Security and redundancy create a stable environment which businesses crave while providing cost-effective remote computing with high performance.
Options are available for using either virtual desktops or remote apps in hosted sessions of standard configurations. Additionally, Microsoft offers the flexibility of mixing these two services for the best effect. Virtual desktops provide high quality compatibility over the Windows 10 platform with many applications available for most any configuration. Virtual desktops can be relied upon as a primary computer for many users with excellent application availability.
With remote apps, applications can be specifically configured which can improve resource availability to any sized group of users. Remote apps offer standardization for users with the flexibility of customizing their own desktop experience. Such session-based virtualization can provide a highly productive user environment at an affordable cost.
Remote Desktop services from Microsoft couples outstanding user performance with excellent budget savings. Contact Royal discount for your remote desktop needs.