You may have heard that Microsoft recently announced licensing changes beginning with Server 2012, i.e. the retirement of Enterprise Server licenses and Small Business Server, etc.
This change will have an impact to customers who are covered by Software Assurance and Enterprise Agreements in that:
1. Existing Enterprise Server licenses will be replaced with two (2) Standard Server licenses.
2. Small Business Server Standard Licenses will be replaced with one (1) Server Standard and one (1) Exchange license.
3. Small Business Server Premium Licenses will be replaced with two (2) Server Standard Licenses, one (1) Exchange, and one (1) SQL license.
In most cases, this will have no impact on the customer, but we have already seen one case with a potential impact, as well as an opportunity. There is apparently a window of opportunity to upgrade current Enterprise Licenses (covered under EA to DataCenter licensing) before the licenses are converted when the new plan takes effect. It looks like the window is just about 1 month from today.
The important point here is, you have an opportunity to reach out your LAR and review this year’s server plans in light of the new licensing.