ServiceNow SAM has launched an exciting new feature in the recent Tokyo Release- Cost-based licensing optimization for Microsoft SQL Server clusters.
More details on ServiceNow Docs here.
Through this feature SAM Managers would be able to able to balance License compliance and cost effectiveness to maximize cost savings on their Microsoft SQL Server cluster deployments.
More on the feature in this video below:
Microsoft SQL Server is a very popular Database, that is used by organizations worldwide. However, the software product can be very costly especially- SQL Server Enterprise.
Some Important facts:
- SQL Server Enterprise Licenses are approx. 4 x costlier than SQL Server Standard
- 2 core pack for SQL server Enterprise= $13000 approx.
- 2 core pack for SQL Server Standard = $3500 approx.
- In addition, Microsoft offers Software Assurance Benefits (or SA benefits) which are about 25% costlier than non-Software Assurance benefits
Usually, organizations have a mix of SQL Server Enterprise and Standard Licenses as well as Software assurance and non-Software assurance licenses and are looking for an automated mechanism to optimally assign licenses- to achieve License compliance with cost savings.
Hence, using this feature SAM Managers would be able to balance both sides of being License compliant while being cost-effective on their Microsoft SQL Server deployments.
While determining the best cost-effective way to assign SQL server licenses, ServiceNow SAM looks at the number of factors viz.
- Order of license consumption after scanning the entire infrastructure
- Using Microsoft Software assurance licenses vs non-software assurance licenses
- Using SQL Server Enterprise licenses vs Standard Licenses depending on virtualization density
- Partially Licensing Hosts and VMs using SQL Server Enterprise and Standard Licenses
based on the factors above, ServiceNow SAM assigns licenses automatically, so that customers are licensed (as per Microsoft Licensing Rules) in the most cost-effective manner.
In addition, to the cost optimization feature- ServiceNow SAM has launched a new report- Microsoft Windows and SQL Server Infrastructure Report.
More details on ServiceNow Docs here.
Through this report SAM Managers, can determine
- Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server deployments across the entire hybrid environments
- Determine physical host and Virtual machine infrastructure details in one view which is helpful during an audit
Please review this exciting feature and let us know your feedback.
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