---
sourceDocument: Zurich IT Asset Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/it-asset-management

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich IT Asset Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itam

bundleId :

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workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Create preferred licensing assignments

# Create preferred licensing assignments for Microsoft software products deployed on clusters {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

Create and define preferred licensing assignments for the Microsoft software products that are deployed on your hypervisor clusters. Use these assignments to specify whether you want to license each software product at either the physical host layer or virtual
layer.

## Before you begin

Role required: sam_admin

## About this task

Note:  
Preferred licensing assignments support only the per core and per core (with CAL) license metrics.

Preferred licensing assignments take precedence over the cost-based licensing optimizations that are recommended by default. By using a preferred licensing assignment, you can bypass these recommended licensing optimizations
to better align with your organization's predetermined licensing strategy. For more information on cost-based licensing optimizations, see [Cost-based licensing optimization for Microsoft](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/y~VFyN79h6tCkzjNfY4OfA "The cost-based licensing optimization for Microsoft helps you determine the most optimal way to license your Microsoft software products across hybrid infrastructures. With this optimization, you can automatically balance license compliance with cost effectiveness to maximize cost savings.").  
Note:  
You can alternatively license a Microsoft software product on a specific physical host, virtual machine (VM), user, or device by adding allocations directly to the corresponding software entitlement. ServiceNow recommends that you use either preferred licensing assignments only or allocations only on each hypervisor cluster. For more information on adding allocations to a software entitlement, see [Create entitlements in workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/O~JVsyQdaW99Fe~XMND4nA "Create entitlements in the Software Asset Workspace to enter your license details and allocate purchased software rights to users or devices.").

## Procedure

1. On the page header of your ServiceNow instance, select All.
2. In the menu navigation filter, enter <kbd class="ph userinput">samp_device_license_assignment_list.do</kbd>.  
   The Cluster License Assignments \[samp_device_license_assignment\] table opens.
3. Select New.
4. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#apply-preferred-licensing-assignments-microsoft-clusters__table_zwr_v3q_jfc__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | License metric | License metric that you're using to reconcile the Microsoft software product. Select either Per core or Per core (with CAL). |
   | Product version | Version of the Microsoft software product that you want to specify the licensing layer for. Note: If you don't specify a product version, the Software Asset Management application automatically selects the most cost effective version for the licensing assignment. |
   | Licensing layer | Layer that you want to license the Microsoft software product on. The options are Physical and Virtual. |
   | Product | Microsoft software product that you want to specify the licensing layer for. |
   | Cluster | Hypervisor cluster that you have deployed the Microsoft software product on. |
   | Product edition | Edition of the Microsoft software product that you want to specify the licensing layer for. Note: If you don't specify a product edition, the Software Asset Management application automatically selects the most cost effective edition for the licensing assignment. |
   | Domain | Domain that the licensing assignment is available in. |
   [Table 1. Cluster License Assignment form]

   {#apply-preferred-licensing-assignments-microsoft-clusters__table_zwr_v3q_jfc}
5. Select Submit.

## Result

The preferred licensing assignment is applied to the Microsoft software product.