LICENSING MODELS FOR SPLA
The Microsoft software products included in the SPLA program are available for licensing through two models (listed below) and under the SPLA program Service Providers have the flexibility to switch between these licensing models from one month to the next:

1. Per User (Subscriber Access License - SAL); In the SAL mode, a SAL is required for each unique individual who is authorised to use the software in any given month. Not all products are available to be licensed in the SAL Mode. Benefits of the Per Subscriber model include:

a. Subscribers can access any number of servers from any number of devices.
b. Service providers can "scale out" by deploying as many servers as they need.
c. Service providers have minimal start-up costs since they only pay based upon the number of subscribers they have each month.

2. Per Processor (CPU License); when licensing via the CPU licenses, an unlimited number of end users can use the software running on a single CPU for each CPU license acquired. Some products are not available to be licensed in the Processor mode. Benefits of the Per CPU Model include:

a. CPU licenses are easier to monitor and count, which lowers the service provider's administrative costs.
b. CPU licenses replace Internet Connector licenses, eliminating the need to distinguish between Internet, intranet, and extranet users.
c. CPU licenses are economical across a variety of business scenarios where the utilization of the software may vary.

BENEFITS
1. Competitive Pricing: SPLA pricing incorporates Software Assurance (Microsoft's new maintenance offering) in providing Service Providers with the most current versions of the products available in the SPLA Program for one simple monthly price

2. Pay only for what you use: With SPLA, you pay as you deploy, and only for what you deploy. In essence treating software as a pay-as-you-go service. This benefit can help the Service Provider with the following:

a. Helps build flexibility in your software costs and accelerate your profitability.
b. Establishing a recurring revenue model to help grow the business.
c. Makes software costs transparent to your customer, allowing you to treat software as operating cost rather than capital cost.

3. Cash Flow Management: Service Providers have near zero start-up costs, since they only pay for licenses based on what they used, to provide services each month.

4. Latest software versions: Your SPLA provides you access to the latest versions of Microsoft software at one convenient price point.

5. Global Service Delivery: Deliver services to your customers around the world without licensing limitations.

6. Free demos, tests, and eval’s: You can provide limited demos, tests, and evaluations to your customers free of charge.

7. Switch Licensing Models: Service Providers have the flexibility to switch between the 2 licensing model (Per User or Per CPU) from one month to the next.

8. End Customers Licensed: End customers receiving services deployed by a Service Provider is not required to obtain their own Microsoft software licenses, because they have the right to directly or indirectly interact with functionalities of Microsoft software through the Service Provider’s SPLA licenses.


If you are interested in finding out more about SPLA please contact us