Microsoft announce that CSP Software Subscription benefits are fully equivalent to Software Assurance from 1 April, 2026.

License Mobility (through Software Assurance) allows the use of eligible licences in Azure or on an Authorized Mobility Partner’s shared hardware and has long differentiated the two purchasing options. The change expands this outsourcing option to SQL Server, and the External Connectors for Windows Server and RDS. Of particular interest, Listed Providers Amazon, Google, and Alibaba are currently signed up as Authorized Mobility Partners.

Although System Center Server is also available as a Software Subscription, it’s somewhat neglected in the announcement, even though its Software Assurance counterpart has always been eligible for License Mobility.

Microsoft provide us with a range of resources to supplement the news.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/4sWQsqH and some useful FAQs here: https://bit.ly/4m9eRXt .

The updated License Mobility guides cover the process and further details. Grab them here: https://bit.ly/4mcoKDM and here: https://bit.ly/4czaPDJ.