Licensing Q&A: What are some optimization tips for Microsoft SQL Server?

About: Licenseware specializes in license analysis automation and development to get licensing insights, from any data source, in minutes. Find out more about delivering better services on our website 👈

Licensing SQL Server can be expensive, and you use only a fraction of its capabilities most of the time. As your business grows, it’s important to re-evaluate how much of the features and functionality you’re using and whether or not you need to scale up your licensing.

Many organizations struggle with the costs associated with licensing and maintaining their SQL Server environments. Here are a few tips to reduce your costs:

1. Use the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP Toolkit). This free tool provides an inventory of your current hardware and software environment and maps it against various Microsoft products, including SQL Server. You can upload your MAP Toolkit data directly into Licenseware Microsoft Deployment Manager and get an accurate license position.

2. Consider downgrading from SQL Server Enterprise to a lower edition, such as SQL Server Standard or even SQL Server Express, if the business application’s requirements can meet these editions. However, be aware that the application vendor may impose limits, and you may lose support if you migrate to a lower edition.

3. Consolidate your SQL Server instances to reduce hardware, software, and maintenance costs for on-premises environments. You can also use Microsoft’s License Mobility through Software Assurance to move your SQL Server licenses to the cloud and take advantage of the cloud’s pay-as-you-go model.

4. Use the free SQL Server Developer edition for non-production workloads, such as development, design, testing, and demonstration. This edition is a technical equivalent of SQL Server Enterprise for any use except production. You can also use SQL Server Enterprise and SQL Server Standard bundled with Visual Studio subscriptions, but be mindful of the licensing risk as every person involved in deploying, maintaining, administering, supporting, and even backing up the Visual Studio software instances must also have a Visual Studio subscription.

5. Work with a partner who specializes in Microsoft licensing. They can help you understand what you need and may even be able to get you discounts on licensing costs.

6. Asses how much your licensing would cost in the cloud and consider using cloud-based solutions when it’s more cost-effective. Suppose you only need specific features or functionality. In that case, there may be a less expensive way to get them through a cloud-based service, but monitor your SQL Server usage and adjust your resources as needed to optimize.

7. Negotiate with Microsoft. When it comes time to renew your licensing, don’t just take their word for it that the prices are non-negotiable. There’s always some wiggle room, so it’s worth negotiating for a better price.

Psst… 👇

Need help in understanding your Microsoft Licensing? Licenseware creates great licensing content, but even better data analysis automations! 💪

Get licensing insights in minutes today using our apps
Or book a call with one of our licensing specialists 🧙‍♂️

Learn about Licensewares automated Microsoft license analysis apps here

If you find our articles useful, register for our monthly newsletter for regular industry insights 👇

Licenseware

W37/38-23 SAM & ITAM Jobs

By Licenseware | September 22, 2023 | Comments Off on W37/38-23 SAM & ITAM Jobs

Why and how we use MongoDB at Licenseware

By Ciprian Grigore | September 19, 2023 | Comments Off on Why and how we use MongoDB at Licenseware

When your grind is mistaken for an alien encounter… 🛸

By Alex Cojocaru | September 14, 2023 | Comments Off on When your grind is mistaken for an alien encounter… 🛸

Simplifying Architecture: Moving from Microservices to a Monolith 🗿

By Ciprian Grigore | September 13, 2023 | Comments Off on Simplifying Architecture: Moving from Microservices to a Monolith 🗿

Being unique in a crowded market 🌟

By Alex Cojocaru | September 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Being unique in a crowded market 🌟

Understanding the Benefits of Software Asset Management

By Licenseware | September 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Understanding the Benefits of Software Asset Management

Selling something you believe in

By Alex Cojocaru | September 11, 2023 |

W36-23 SAM & ITAM Jobs

By Licenseware | September 8, 2023 | Comments Off on W36-23 SAM & ITAM Jobs

Feature packing and roadmap

By Alex Cojocaru | September 7, 2023 | Comments Off on Feature packing and roadmap

Lessons learned three years at Licenseware

By Alex Cojocaru | September 4, 2023 | Comments Off on Lessons learned three years at Licenseware