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Microsoft System Center Essentials

Pricing and Licensing

Locate pricing information for the different types of licenses available for Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007.

Note: If you are outside of the United States and Canada, you can get pricing information from your local Microsoft office. Find contact information for your Microsoft office on the Microsoft Worldwide Information site.

Essentials 2007 Licensing

Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007 requires a Server License for the management server and a Management License ("ML") for each managed operating system environment ("OSE"). A Server ML is required for management of each server OSE, and a Client ML is required for management of each non-server OSE.

Essentials 2007 is technically limited to management of 30 Windows-based server OSEs and 500 Windows-based PC OSEs. The Essentials 2007 product (and Essentials 2007 product with SQL Server 2005 Technology) comes with the MLs to manage 10 server OSEs and 50 PC OSEs. Additional Server MLs can be purchased as a single license or in a 5-pack, and additional Client MLs in a 5-pack or 20-pack.

OSEs other than those for Windows-based PCs and servers do require a Client ML or Server ML for each one that is managed, except for (i) OSEs licensed to run the Essentials 2007 server software, (ii) OSEs in which no instances of software are running, and (iii) network infrastructure devices (OSI layer 3 or below).

Important: The Essentials 2007 product, acquired through Retail (Full Packaged Product) or OEM, requires the input of product keys to unlock the number of OSEs to which you are entitled to manage. Keys are provided through the purchase of additional ML License Packs. All purchases of additional ML license packs must be made through the same channel on which the Essentials Server was purchased; additional ML License Packs purchased through Volume License will not work on Retail and OEM Essentials Server installations.

For more licensing information, see the Microsoft Licensing Web site.

Essentials 2007 Pricing

Note: All prices reflect pricing for purchases within the United States and are in U.S. dollars. The prices listed are estimated prices available in the Retail channel.

Products

Prices

Features

Server License Offerings*

Essentials 2007

$2,022 U.S.

Management server license for full application, server, and client management. Includes MLs to manage 10 Windows-based server OSEs and 50 Windows-based PC OSEs.

Essentials 2007 with SQL Server Technology

$2,961 U.S.

Management server license for full application, server, and client management. Includes MLs to manage 10 Windows-based server OSEs and 50 Windows-based PC OSEs, and runtime-restricted version of SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition.

Management License (ML) Offerings

Essentials Server ML (5 MLP)

$506 U.S.

Includes MLs for management of 5 Windows-based server OSEs.

Essentials Server ML (single license)

$101 U.S.

Includes ML for management of 1 Windows-based server OSEs.

Essentials Client ML (20 MLP)

$404 U.S.

Includes MLs for management of 20 Windows-based PC OSEs.

Essentials Client ML (5 MLP)

$101 U.S.

Includes MLs for management of 5 Windows-based PC OSEs.

* Essentials 2007 requires Microsoft SQL Server to support its operational activities. Essentials 2007 ships with SQL Server Express Edition. For larger deployments of Essentials, you can either buy SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition separately or in conjunction with Essentials 2007. The latter is sold as Essentials 2007 with SQL Server Technology. The SQL Server Technology is the SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition and may ONLY be used to support Essentials 2007.

Information for MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition Customers

There will be no future versions of Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 Workgroup Edition (MOM WGE). System Center Essentials 2007 (Essentials) is the replacement product targeted toward managing the IT infrastructures of mid-market customers. Mainstream product support on MOM WGE will be available until January 12, 2010.

  • Customers with Software Assurance (SA) will receive one Essentials license for each MOM WGE license at no additional charge. They may continue to use MOM WGE or migrate to Essentials. Although MOM WGE only includes rights to manage 10 servers, customers will be entitled to Essentials management licenses (MLs) to manage 10 servers and 50 clients with the grant. Customers who migrate to Essentials but require additional Essentials Client MLs or Server MLs may acquire them individually under their agreement.

  • SA coverage on Essentials will continue under the terms of the existing coverage on MOM WGE. Upon expiration of that coverage, customers may renew their Software Assurance on the Essentials licenses.

How to Buy