SA Benefits for SQL Server Purchased Under Server/CAL Model

SQL Server provides a variety of benefits to customers who maintain Software Assurance (SA). SA, which can be purchased only through a volume licensing program, can be added to a license (at the time of license purchase) for an annual fee equal to 25% of the underlying license price. Below is a list of SA benefits for SQL Server licenses purchased under the Server/Client Access License (CAL) License Model, including a description and the consequences of not purchasing SA (or letting it expire). All benefits except one are documented in the Product Terms, updated monthly, and posted at www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/product-licensing.aspx. (The exception is “Pay for a license in installments,” which is documented in volume licensing contracts.)

SA Benefit	Description	Rule If No SA	Documented In
Rights to new versions	Licenses covered by SA on the date a new product version becomes available can be upgraded to the new version at any time in the future,