Buy SQL Server License
SQL Server as a used volume license in Standard and Enterprise, with per core licensing or Server + CAL. Here in particular the saving compared with the list price is greatest in absolute terms, because the new licenses are among the most expensive in the Microsoft range.
Licenses in this category
Our stock changes constantly. If your version is not listed, ask us about it.
Per core licensing or Server + CAL: calculating the threshold
SQL Server has two licensing models, and the choice decides amounts in the thousands. With per core licensing you pay by physical processor cores, at least four per processor, and the number of users does not matter. With Server + CAL you pay for the instance and for a client access license per user or device.
The threshold lies where the sum of the CALs becomes more expensive than the core licenses. As a rule of thumb: with a manageable, fixed group of users of up to about 25 to 30 people, Server + CAL is usually cheaper. Above that, and always when the number of accesses is unknown, per core licensing wins.
The case in which there is no choice
As soon as an application is reachable from the outside, such as a web shop or a customer portal, the number of people accessing cannot be determined. In that case per core licensing is mandatory. The Enterprise edition is also available exclusively in this form.
Mind virtualization
With virtual machines, licensing is based on the assigned virtual cores, again at least four. Anyone licensing a whole host environment may come out cheaper with Enterprise plus Software Assurance. Describe your setup to us and we will compare the variants.
What to check before you buy
Standard
Covers the needs of most business applications. Limited in memory and cores per instance, but considerably cheaper. Sufficient for merchandise management, accounting and typical industry software.
Enterprise
For large volumes of data, high availability and extended analytics functions. Only available as per core licensing and considerably more expensive. The extra cost is only worthwhile if the additional functions are really needed.
All cores count
All physical cores on which the instance can run are licensed, not only those actually used. This regularly comes as a surprise with powerful hardware and low utilization.
Check downgrade rights
Many business applications are only certified for older SQL versions. The downgrade rights allow them to be used. We note for every license which earlier versions are covered.
Frequently asked questions
How many cores do I have to license?
All physical cores on which the instance runs, at least four per processor. With virtual machines, the assigned virtual cores count, again at least four.
When does per core licensing pay off?
As a rule of thumb from about 25 to 30 users, and always when the number of people accessing cannot be determined. Tell us the number of users and the hardware, and we will compare both models.
Do I need CALs with per core licensing?
No. Per core licensing covers any number of accesses. CALs are required only with the Server + CAL model.
What about failover systems and test environments?
A passive failover system can be covered under certain conditions, whereas test and development instances generally are not. Describe your setup to us and we will clarify it in advance.
May I use an older version?
As a rule, yes, through the downgrade rights. With SQL Server this is often necessary, because business applications are only certified for certain versions.
How large is the saving compared with a new license?
In absolute terms it is greatest with SQL Server, because the list prices are highest here. In the quote we set it against the current list price, so that you can document the amount.
Other license categories
Need more than one product family? We put the combination together and check which client access licenses (CALs) belong with it.
Request pricing
Tell us the product and quantity. You will receive a firm quote including the scope of documentation.