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Windows Server 2012 How to Buy

Windows Server 2012 delivers a dramatically simplified licensing experience. Shaped by feedback from customers and partners, the new Windows Server licensing approach will help make choosing the right Windows Server easier while delivering the following benefits.

Simple

It’s easier than ever to determine the right Windows Server edition for you. Choose from just four editions of Windows Server 2012, based on the size of your organization and your requirements for virtualization and cloud computing.

Economical

All editions of Windows Server 2012 deliver excellent economics and ROI for your business. For example, Datacenter edition with unlimited virtualization rights provides the benefits of cloud-level scale with predictable, lower costs. Standard edition now offers all of the same enterprise-class features as Datacenter and is differentiated only by virtualization rights.

Cloud-optimized

Businesses today are rapidly adopting a hybrid approach across private and public cloud computing. Windows Server 2012 offers the right edition for you, no matter where you are on your path to the cloud; Datacenter edition for highly virtualized cloud environments, Standard edition for lightly virtualized environments progressing toward cloud, or Essentials edition for an ideal cloud-connected first server.

Edition & Pricing Overview

Edition	Ideal for...	High Level Feature Comparison	Licensing Model	Pricing Open NL(US$)
Datacenter	Highly virtualized private & hybrid cloud environments	Full Windows Server functionality with unlimited virtual instances	Processor + CAL*	$4,809**
Standard	Low density or non-virtualized environments	Full Windows Server functionality with two virtual instances	Processor + CAL*	$882**
Essentials	Small business environments	Simpler interface, pre-configured connectivity to cloud based services; no virtualization rights	Server (25 User Account Limit)	$501**
Foundation	Economical general purpose server	General purpose Server functionality with no virtualization rights	Server (15 User Account Limit)	OEM Only

*CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server. See the Product Use Rights for details.

**Pricing represents Open No Level (NL) ERP. For your specific pricing, contact your Microsoft reseller.

You can purchase Windows Server 2012 licenses through multiple channels, providing you with optimum flexibility and choice to acquire the software. Learn more about the channels below and determine the option that best meets your needs.

Volume Licensing

Resources

Microsoft offers volume licensing programs to help reduce administrative overhead and software-management costs for your organization, while enabling product licensing on an ongoing basis at considerable discounts. The various licensing options enable you to choose the program that works best for your management and operational needs.

Enrollment for Core Infrastructure (ECI)

Resources

The Enterprise Enrollment lets you standardize on the familiar Microsoft tools you use every day, and move them beyond the desktop to equip devices and users where they are needed. With the Enterprise Enrollment, you can choose to run PC and device software and cloud services across your organization. Such organization-wide implementations help you reduce device and user management and support costs, and also provide additional pricing advantages above the standard volume pricing levels.

Cloud Service Providers

Learn More About Cloud Service Providers»

A managed hosting provider delivers IT as a service, enabling you to reduce capital expenses and devote your resources to growing your business. Save time and money by letting Hyper- V Cloud service providers take care of your IT needs.

Microsoft Partner

Microsoft Partners

Search Microsoft Pinpoint to find a local partner»

Microsoft Partners can help you evaluate, plan, deploy, and manage any type of system—from a small business implementation to supporting the largest enterprise applications built on the latest technology. You can find solutions and services offered by our Windows Server Partners that can meet the needs and requirements for your IT projects. Search for partners near you, across the country, or across the world.

Original Equipment Manufacturer

OEM Partners

Acer»
Dell»
Fujitsu»
Hitachi»
HP»
IBM»
NEC»

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) software is only available when preloaded on a Server. The hardware vendor provides product support. In most cases, Windows Server OEM software is pre-loaded on the Server that you purchase. Check to make sure it is a Microsoft Genuine product and be sure to ask your Microsoft Business Partner which software products can be pre-loaded to your Computer or Server.