1. Retail Boxed software, sometimes called FPP (Full Packaged Product) is the glossy boxed product that you see on the shelves in shops. This has manuals in the box and clear instructions on how to install. This is intended for anyone to buy and usage is governed by the End User Licensing Agreement that you accept when you first use the software.

2. Volume Licensing schemes are used by Businesses or Educational establishments to licence their software. Customers of Volume Licence schemes don’t typically receive any actual media with their licence, it is a business agreement between the business and Microsoft to licence their software. The business installs the software themselves. Usage is governed by the Product Use Rights (PUR) with each agreement

3. Software as a Service, also known as Hosting. You may decide that you want an IT provider to manage your software and software licences for you. In this case, you can discuss this option with a partner.

Find a partner to help you realise your IT strategy

Applies to servers such as SQL Server

There are two models for licensing server software:

1. Server/CAL model. Each server instance* needs a server licence and all clients must be licensed with Client Access Licences (CALs)
2. Per processor model. Each processor in any server running the software must have a per processor licence, then an unlimited number of client devices or users can access that server software.

* You create an “instance” of software by executing the software’s setup or install procedure. You also create an instance of software by duplicating an existing instance. References to software include “instances” of the software.

You may prefer Device CALs because you have fewer devices than users or because it is easier for you to track devices.
- For example: call centre, factory floor or asset management systems that are set up to track devices.

You may prefer User CALs because you have more devices than users or because it is easier for you to track users
- For example: field sales staff with multiple devices (smart phones, PDAs, laptops etc) or because purchasing systems are linked to HR processes that track users

Download these documents for more information about server licensing and CALs

Use this simple calculator to work out how many CALs you need for your business. Enter the number of users and/or devices you'd like to access your server software internally against the product(s) you use.

Use the CAL Calculator here

Get more technical licensing information on our In-Depth Licensing site

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