Windows Rights Management Services for Windows Server 2003 Pricing and Licensing Overview
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On This Page
 | RMS Components |
| RMS Licensing Basics |
| RMS Pricing |
| How to Try RMS |
Microsoft Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) is a new service for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard, Enterprise, Web, and Datacenter editions. Outlined on this page are the components necessary to set up RMS, as well as licensing and pricing information.
RMS Components
To set up RMS, the following components are necessary:
| • | Server software: RMS is the server component that can be installed from the Volume License (VL) kit. Alternatively, it can be downloaded from Microsoft Windows Update or from the Microsoft Download Center. It is available to all licensees of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 at no additional charge. |
| • | Client software: Desktop software is required for each user who will be creating or viewing rights-protected content. It can be downloaded from Microsoft Windows Update or from the Microsoft Download Center. It is available to all licensees of Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition and later. It will not ship on the physical media contained in VL kits. |
| • | RMS-enabled application: At the desktop level, an RMS-enabled application is required for creating or viewing rights-protected content. |
RMS Licensing Basics
To use RMS, organizations need the following licenses:
| • | Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2 Server License |
| • | Windows Server 2003 Client Access Licenses (Windows Server CALs) |
| • | Windows Rights Management Services Client Access Licenses (RMS CALs) |
A Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2 Server License is required. Since RMS is a component of Windows Server, a Windows Server 2003 CAL is required for every user who accesses or uses the server software. In addition, every user who creates or views rights-protected information through Rights Management Services requires an RMS User CAL. As an alternative to User CALs, customers may acquire RMS Device CALs for the devices used to create or view rights-protected content. Both user and device CAL options are available for RMS and Windows Server 2003.
In addition, organizations have the option to acquire an RMS External Connector (EC) license. The RMS EC license gives organizations the right to permit an unlimited number of external users to access or use a single, licensed copy of the RMS server software without the need to acquire CALs for each external user. The EC is an alternative to CALs when, for example, an organization creates rights-protected information or documents and needs to allow customers or business partners to view this information. Each copy of RMS server software being used by external users requires its own EC license.
Since external users must also be licensed to access Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2003 R2, the Windows Server EC license may be used as an alternative to Windows Server 2003 CALs.
Service providers should visit the Services Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA) site for specific licensing information.
Integration with Other Microsoft Products
At the server level, RMS relies on Windows Server Active Directory® directory service (Windows Server 2000 or later) and a database such as Microsoft SQL Server™ to store configuration data. Both are required to implement RMS.
Microsoft Office 2003 includes the first RMS-enabled applications available from Microsoft. For creating or viewing rights-protected Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and e-mail messages, Microsoft Office 2003 Professional Edition is required. Microsoft Office 2003 Standard Edition allows users to view—but not create—rights-protected Office content. Additionally, Microsoft will ship the Rights Management Add-on for Internet Explorer later this year which provides viewing capability of rights-protected files and HTML.
RMS Pricing
| Client Access License | U.S. Price* | Description |
Windows RMS Client Access License | $37 each | Single RMS CAL (choose User CAL or Device CAL at time of purchase) |
Windows RMS Client Access License Five Pack | $185 ** | Five additional RMS CALs |
| External Connector License | U.S. Price* | Description |
Windows RMS External Connector License | $18,066 | Optional license for External Users accessing Windows RMS software |
* Prices on this page are stated in U.S. dollars and reflect pricing for purchases within the United States and Canada. The prices listed are estimated Open No Level prices; reseller pricing may vary. This product is only available through volume licensing programs. Contact your local reseller for more information or review the Microsoft Volume Licensing options. For licensing advice on configuring products, programs, and pricing options visit the Microsoft Product Licensing Advisor. To find the Microsoft Web site for your country or region, visit the worldwide Microsoft sites page.
** Pricing is for comparison purposes only. Currently, there is no five-pack SKU offered.
How to Try RMS
You can try RMS for up to 180 days without purchasing RMS CALs. To do this, you must install the RMS Server on top of an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition. The evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 automatically expires in 180 days. The RMS Server does not have expire.
You can evaluate RMS for up to 180 days without purchasing RMS CALs.
At any time during the evaluation period or at the end of 180 days, the evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition can be converted into a production server by either purchasing a full license for Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition or by applying an existing license to the RMS server. At that time, you must also purchase RMS CALs for every user or device that is creating or consuming rights-protected content.
An evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/trial/default.mspx.