Monthly Microsoft License Update October 2022
Welcome to the October 2022 instalment of the monthly Microsoft license update from the Version 1 Microsoft License Consulting Team. Each month Microsoft release license changes on their product terms some of these changes will have a material effect with others having no impact whatsoever.
For your convenience, we have uploaded a recording that discusses these changes in more detail.
As Microsoft license experts, my colleagues Niamh NI Shuilleabhain, Richard Ojo, William Nelson and myself will take time to consider and examine these changes, highlighting any Microsoft licensing trends or issues that are around the corner. In this session, we discuss the main changes from the October product terms update, which include the following:
Windows Server — This October sees the introduction of new metrics to license Windows Server deployed on Virtual Machines.
Customers now have the option to license virtual machines running Windows Server Standard on an individual basis by applying the following rules:
- Each Windows Server VM requires a minimum of 8 cores.
- Customers are required to hold a minimum of 16 core licenses.
- Licenses must be either software subscriptions or volume licences with active Software Assurance “SA”.
Historically using Windows Server Standard to license virtual machines was restrictive due to a lack of reassignment rights within the same server farm within 90 days.
This has now changed since the 1st of October with the introduction of a new licensing benefit that allows for the re-assignment of Windows Server VMs within the same server farm as frequently as required.
Access to the above rights depends on having active Software Assurance or Software Subscriptions for Windows Server.
You must also have active Software Assurance or Software Subscriptions for Windows Server CALs, where users connect directly or indirectly to any applicable servers.
Flexible Virtualisation Benefit — From the 1st of October customers have the option to deploy eligible Microsoft software on Authorized Outsourcers’ shared servers.
The benefit applies broadly to all software products including operating systems, desktop applications, developer tools and server applications.
The most notable product inclusions are Windows Server, Microsoft 365 Apps and Windows 10/11.
Another key benefit includes the right to reassign licenses to different servers in the Authorized Outsourcers’ same server farm at any time.
Use rights including DR right if applicable apply in the same way as they would when licensing on-premise.
However, customers need to be aware that outsourcing to an Authorized Outsourcers’ shared servers does not dissolve responsibility for license compliance.
Note only licenses with active Software Assurance or Software Subscriptions qualify for this benefit.
One final consideration to note is this benefit does not extend to what Microsoft term as listed providers i.e., AWS, Google or Alibaba.
Microsoft 365–3 new product sub-sets were added to the Availability Tables for Microsoft 365 (under Enterprise Agreement and Microsoft Customer Agreement).
1. SharePoint Advanced Management — brings enhanced admin features to SharePoint Online to closer align capabilities with the on-prem SharePoint Server.
2. Workload Identities — essentially an Azure AD identity and access management service that sits within the Microsoft Entra product set and concerns ‘non-human’ identity and access processes that occur when apps and services are used (for example within a Container, VM etc.)
3. Viva Sales — a tool to automatically bring together any CRM, Microsoft 365 and Teams data to aid the selling process.
The final Microsoft 365-related update is the availability of Microsoft 365 Professional Direct Support to the MCA Availability table to enable customers to purchase SLA-backed support directly with Microsoft.
Windows Operating System — Updated the Purchase Eligibility for Windows 11 Home to Pro geographic areas to include Mexico, Central America, and South America.
The change now includes customers in South & Central America buying an upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro. According to the Microsoft Product Terms, it’s worth noting that Home to Pro doesn’t apply to EA/EAS customers; license availability is only for MPSA (Windows Home to Pro Right Licensing per Device) or MCA agreement (Windows Home to Pro for M365 Business Premium) customers.
Microsoft Intune — Removed Intune for EDU (Device) from the MCA
Microsoft Intune for Education is a cloud-based, mobile device management (MDM) service for schools. It helps your teachers and students stay productive on classroom devices, and keeps school data secure.
With Intune for Education you can:
• Manage the desktop and mobile devices students use to access classroom data.
• Configure and assign the apps students use in the classroom.
• Control how students and teachers access and share classroom information.
• Apply school security requirements to devices and apps.
With this change, MS remove the per-device subscription option meaning that the only way to purchase the add-on license(s) is to purchase per User licenses. This in my opinion provides the user with the freedom to use Intune on any device.
Microsoft Azure — Updated API Terms to remove abbreviations and add clarity to which APIs apply.
Additionally, updated Azure Communication Services interoperability and messaging requirements. — this is an interesting update. Azure Comms Services and Interoperability allows business users in the same organisation to communicate across Teams and Skype for Business. This update is important for organisations where Skype for Business and Teams are used in tandem.
Azure Hybrid Benefit — AHB terms updated to include Azure Stack HCI for Enterprise Agreement customers, this benefit is provided when a customer allocates Windows Server Datacenter Licenses with SA for all Physical Cores on servers in the Azure Stack HCI cluster. This allows customers to use Windows Server in any number of Base Instances on its Azure Stack HCI cluster. Also, be aware that dual-use rights don’t extend to licences on a full-time basis.
As Microsoft license experts, we can help you simplify these and any other product changes and clarify what this could mean for your license position. If you have any questions relating to this or any other Microsoft licensing matter, please go to our website or contact us.
About the Author:
Karl is a Principal Licensing Consultant at Version 1, providing Microsoft license expertise to organisations globally and ensuring customers get the best value from their Microsoft assets.
