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AWS Microsoft Licensing: BYOL Benefits You Must Know

With benefits for hundreds of industries, cloud computing is arguably the best IT innovation ever. The cloud eliminates the need for conventional backups by utilizing its core collaboration and storage capabilities. Additionally, using the cloud enables teams to work on a single project at once and saves firms countless hours of labor.

Licenses are typically connected to certain servers. Because they cannot be reused without infringing licensing restrictions, this makes licensing difficult for enterprises. Concerns with licenses, such as expiration dates, staff access when necessary, and similar issues, may be a real pain.

Numerous software providers provide licenses based on subscriptions. However, the majority of businesses don’t require additional license purchases because they have enough of them to meet their demands.

Using Bring Your Own License (BYOL), cloud computing offers a solution to these annoyances. You can move your license between devices using BYOL as necessary.

Let’s investigate BYOL and the wonderful advantages it provides for businesses.

What is BYOL?

When migrating from on-premises to AWS, “bring your own license” (BYOL) is an excellent option. You have the choice between a shared and a dedicated deployment, each with its own set of benefits including Amazon EC2’s AWS License Manager and selective placement on Dedicated Hosts. While BYOL can help you save money on instance expenses, it is important to remember that you will be responsible for administering and upholding any license agreements.

The Key Features Of BYOL

Consider the following BYOL features:

  • Exceptional Flexibility: When licenses are truly portable, businesses have more options. With cloud migration services, you won’t need to worry about keeping track of licensing for various versions of the same software across various systems and services. Because of this, shifting is simple and quick.
  • Maximizing Cost Savings: In order to save money on software upgrades, BYOL (bring your own license) is an excellent option. Concurrent licenses across various services can significantly increase prices, but this solution enables businesses to share and move their licenses. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from BYOL since it helps them save money on these higher initial expenses.
  • Enhanced Freedom of Use: The license terms provide businesses with greater flexibility to modify a service to meet their unique requirements. As a result, productivity and efficiency are improved while expenses are decreased.
  • License and Usage Tracking: License management is substantially simplified by cloud computing. Using this method, businesses can eliminate the hassle of keeping track of physical licenses. Access detailed reports on application usage and license expiration dates to learn more.

AWS Compatibility with BYOL

By hosting your BYOL workspace on dedicated hardware in the AWS cloud, AWS satisfies Microsoft’s licensing requirements. Your users will appreciate the stability and consistency this delivers.

However, not all software developers make their licenses cloud-friendly. Some licenses are tied to factors such as the number of users, the amount of software installed, the number of processors, etc. When customers wish to use their own licenses in the cloud, this creates an issue.

Infrastructures vary depending on the cloud delivery strategy used. SaaS users, for instance, have command over the operating system and the programs themselves, but not the underlying cloud infrastructure. With PaaS, users can control their programs but not the underlying operating system. To facilitate your use of software on AWS, AWS provides a set of tools.

MSFT Products Licensed to Migrate To AWS

With BYOL, you can keep using the licenses you already have without replacing them or spending extra money. The AWS License Manager can be used to control these permissions. The following programs are compatible with AWS Microsoft Licensing

  • Microsoft Skype for Business Server
  • Microsoft System Center
  • Microsoft BizTalk Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint Server
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Remote Desktop Services
  • Microsoft Dynamics products
  • Microsoft Exchange Server

The Advantages of BYOL

As with other forms of technology, licensing has progressed over time. Users can enjoy the same level of convenience with BYOL as they would with the widespread adoption of cashless payment methods like credit cards. There are many benefits to using a BYOL strategy for Microsoft licenses on AWS. Bring Your Own License (BYOL) allows you to use a variety of both new and older software with flexible, as-you-go renewal payments. You also don’t have to sign any enterprise contracts or pay any upgrade costs.

There are substantial monetary gains to be had by adopting the BYOL approach. The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement provides substantial savings and ongoing support to businesses with 250 or more users and devices. Additionally, businesses can reduce initial investments by locking in price at the outset and spreading payments out over a three-year period. Instead of going the BYOL route, consider taking advantage of the superior built-in value that comes from employing a vendor license in conjunction with an Azure subscription plan. Doing so would ease management chores during cloud migration service processing and encourage standardization across enterprise-wide systems.

With BYOL, you only need one license to switch between services instead of juggling many ones. This method also avoids having to pay for additional licenses repeatedly. To renew the license or pay for upgrades, no changes to the agreement are necessary. One license makes it simpler to keep tabs on expiration dates and servicing commitments. In addition, licenses are renewed on a need-to-renew basis at no additional cost. BYOL is compatible with a wide range of programs. You simply need to know which ones are relevant.

Licenses purchased through Microsoft’s Software Assurance can be used in either the AWS cloud or locally on-premise. Microsoft SQL Server, Exchange Server, and SharePoint Server all support Software Assurance’s license mobility options. You can’t use Windows Server.

BYOL and AWS Microsoft Licensing: The Basics

Businesses have relied on AWS as their primary cloud provider for over a decade. A variety of licensing models, including the pay-as-you-go scheme and the bring-your-own-license (BYOL) option, are available from AWS. Windows Server and SQL Server licenses already purchased by a user can be moved to AWS and managed there. AWS licensing fees can be paid monthly or annually.

The AWS Licensing Options

There are two different types of Amazon EC2 licenses available. There is the convenient pay-as-you-go plan, and there is the option to use your own license:

  • Pay-as-you-go: Instances bundled with licenses are available for sale to customers. Windows Server and SQL Server licenses are included. You’ll pay only for what you use and never have to worry about renewing the license.

More than 160 distinct applications can take use of AWS’s pay-as-you-go model for cloud computing. Many people like this method because it is similar to how normal bills are paid in the United States. For as long as you use it, you pay only for what you really consume. It also gives you the flexibility to adapt as your company undergoes natural and unnatural changes.

The model does away with the need to stick to predetermined budgets regardless of the state of the firm. Reserved instances are another service AWS provides, with discounts based on how far in advance you pay. The deeper the price cut, the more you pay.

  • Bring Your Own License (BYOL): With the AWS BYOL licensing option, customers have the choice between two tenancy options. For software assurance eligible license mobility goods, shared tenancy is an option. The other is the dedicated tenancy, which is compatible with licenses that can’t be used with EC2.

With AWS License Manager, users can easily keep track of their software licenses, even for resource-heavy programs like Windows and SQL Server. Despite having all the benefits of Amazon EC2, AWS BYOL lets you use your own operating system on Amazon EC2 dedicated hosts.

Final Thoughts

The idea behind BYOL is to assist professionals save time and money while getting the most value out of their data. With Supportfly, getting started is a breeze. Just submit a request for a Windows workload assessment (Windows Licensing and Optimization Assessment), and we’ll take care of the rest. With our assistance, you should be able to optimize your operations and cut expenditures by well over half. Also, you can checkout some of our other services by visiting our website. We provide the best AWS cloud management services in India.

FAQ

Can I bring my own Microsoft licenses to AWS?

Yes, AWS supports the “Bring Your Own License” (BYOL) model, allowing you to use your existing Microsoft licenses on AWS virtual machines.

What is License Mobility through Software Assurance?

License Mobility is a benefit of Microsoft Software Assurance that allows you to deploy certain Microsoft server applications with active licenses on AWS without purchasing additional licenses.

Can I use Microsoft software on AWS without proper licensing?

No, you must have valid licenses for any Microsoft software you use on AWS, just as you would in an on-premises environment. Unlicensed usage can result in compliance and legal issues.

Does AWS offer Windows Server instances without extra licensing costs?

AWS provides Windows Server instances, but you are responsible for acquiring and managing the necessary licenses. AWS charges for the usage of the infrastructure, not the licenses.