There are several different ways you can buy Azure as a customer. Want to see if your knowledge is up to scratch? We’ve got some more tests – the short one (http://bit.ly/Tly7mp) or the proper roll-up-your-sleeves-and-have-a-go one (http://bit.ly/LS-Azure-Test).
Tag Archives: Azure Services
Azure: Available through Open from 1 August 2014
Azure will be available through the Open and Open Value programs from 1 August 2014. Customers will buy $100 Monetary Commitment SKUs from their resellers which will be fulfilled via an Online Service Activation (OSA) Key. These keys last for 12 months from redemption and there will be no refunds for unused credit or the opportunity for it to be rolled-over to the next year.
Read the Microsoft announcement here http://bit.ly/1krpLnP and find a link to a presentation, datasheet and FAQ.
Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite
The Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite is announced. This includes Azure AD Premium (for hybrid identity management), Intune (for mobile device management) and Azure Rights Management (for information protection).
Key licensing facts:
- It is licensed Per User
- It will be available through Enterprise Volume Licensing programs from 1 May 2014
- Businesses can add EMS to active SA on the Core CAL or Enterprise CAL Suites or the Bridge CAL for Office 365
- Estimated retail price is $7.50 per month, and
- It will not be purchased through an Azure Monetary Commitment
These Microsoft sites are useful: http://bit.ly/PcfXBY for pricing and a datasheet, and http://bit.ly/1pwPRqn for a good overview and availability information.
Intro to Azure Licensing: UK TechNet article
If you want an introduction to buying Windows Azure Services through the EA, then this article from the UK TechNet team is a good start. It covers the three ways Azure can be acquired:
- as an Additional Product in an EA,
- as an added service in an SCE,
- or through an Azure-only SCE.
Read the article here: http://bit.ly/1qBXZqZ.
Licensing Oracle software on Azure Virtual Machines
Useful page on licensing Oracle under Azure explains the two models available:
- “Licence-Included” (pay a per hour rate for the Oracle software) or
- “Bring-Your-Own-Licence” (apply an existing Oracle licence to an Azure-based VM).
Deployment governs the licensing model:
- If you choose a Linux or Windows Server VM where Oracle has been pre-installed from the Windows Azure Gallery, it’s a BYOL model for the Linux machine and an LI model for the Windows one. Alternatively,
- If you deploy a Windows or Linux VM and install Oracle software yourself then both are BYOL.
Microsoft Webcast on Azure and its Licensing
Really rather good Microsoft webcast on Azure and its licensing. Useful takeaways:
- pricing comparison (the Azure list price will always be the same as Amazon Web Services, and the Azure EA price will always be lower);
- how to purchase Azure in an EA (make an upfront payment, pay any additional usage either annually – for up to 50% overage – or quarterly for more than that);
- how existing EA customers are impacted (overage penalties go away immediately, existing quarterly payments remain in place with annual payments starting at renewal).
This webcast was originally aimed at Enterprise customers in the US and the licensing portion starts at 13:49 but I’d recommend the whole thing if you want to get a handle on the positioning of Azure too. http://bit.ly/19lQ5uq
Paying for Azure in an Enterprise Agreement
Want to know how paying for Azure in an EA works? I thought this graphic showed it well. Read the full “Licensing Windows Azure for the Enterprise” article here: http://bit.ly/1fmjEND
Azure Rights Management Services Licensing Terms
This blog post from the Rights Management product team at Microsoft gives a good summary of Azure RMS licensing. It details the licences required for both traditional on-premise customers as well as those who have moved to Office 365, and explains how partners should license solutions such as virtual meeting rooms for their customers.
Read the full post here: http://bit.ly/17LlUbS
Running MSDN Software on Third Party Shared Servers
Most MSDN software can now (from 1 June 2013) be run on authorised third party shared servers, including Windows Azure. Both the Product Use Rights (page 56) and the Visual Studio/MSDN Licensing Guide (page 13) have been updated. Get to all of the Microsoft Licensing Guides in one place at: http://bit.ly/182fp9f
Azure Virtual Machines and RDS
Wording added to the July 2013 PUR (page 88) about using Remote Desktop Services with Windows Azure Virtual Machines (although expect more changes next year):
- RDS Subscriber Access Licences purchased through SPLA MAY be used to deliver graphical user interface functionality on Windows Azure virtual machines
- RDS CALs purchased through Volume Licensing programs may NOT be used with Windows Azure virtual machines
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure functionality may NOT be used on Windows Azure virtual machines