Most often used to describe when individuals or client devices make use of a server-based product or online service, the relevance being that access usually triggers a licensing requirement.

An overarching term for several AD (Active Directory) related Windows Server roles, including AD Domain Services, AD Federation Services, and AD RMS (Rights Management Services). See AD for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server role that encrypts e-mails, files, and other content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to an unsecured file sharing service or shared by e-mail; See: RMS for a detailed entry.

An activation method that uses an organization’s existing on-premises AD Domain Services to activate products on devices with access to the organization’s network.

A Windows Server role (often called “AD”) that provides authentication and access management for an organization’s users, computers, and groups, and product activation; licensed via Windows Server CALs (Client Access Licenses) and server-side licenses. See AD Domain Services for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server software directory federation component that enables users in an organization to connect to resources controlled by a third-party’s directory; use covered by Windows Server licenses. See AD Federation Services for in-depth entry.

A type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to certain advanced or niche server features. See Additive CAL for in-depth entry.

A type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to certain advanced or niche server features.

A Windows Server-based security application licensed with Client MLs (Management Licenses) that automatically analyzes AD Domain Services activity to learn normal behaviors and activity patterns and detect anomalies.

Software that runs client applications in an isolated environment on each user's computer or on servers, and allows organizations to centrally deploy and update the applications; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or RDS (Remote Desktop Services).

To allocate a product license to one device or user so that it is not considered to be in use by multiple devices or users simultaneously.

An online service that provides identity and access management for Microsoft-hosted services such as Office 365 and Intune, and for customer and third-party applications; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

An online service that detects and identifies suspicious user and device activity on an organization’s network indicative of cyber-attacks before serious damage can occur; licensed via User SLs.

An online service that encrypts e-mails, files, and other types of business content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to unsecured file sharing or shared by e-mail; licensed by User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

An online service that allows Windows client applications running on servers in an Azure datacenter to interact with a user’s local desktop; to be shut down in Aug. 2017.

A Microsoft-hosted multitenant relational database service based on SQL Server; predominant charge is an hourly fee based on the performance, storage, and business continuity features selected.

Technology that manages BitLocker, Microsoft's full disk encryption technology; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Provides the right for a device or user to access all running instances of a particular server product deployed for the customer’s organization.

Formerly called Skype for Business Online PSTN Calling, this service augments Phone System by providing domestic and international calling minutes; licensed via its own separate User SL.

Combines server-side licenses and SA (Software Assurance) for equivalent editions of Windows Server and System Center; licensed Per-Core. See Core Infrastructure Server Suite for in-depth entry.

Provides the right for a device or user to access all running instances of a particular server product deployed for the customer’s organization. See acronym CAL for in-depth entry.

A Client Management License (ML) covers client-side licensing requirements for the two products governed under the Management Servers License Model, System Center and Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA); available Per-User, Per-OSE, or Per-Device.

Used to pay for telephony-related services not covered by Phone System or Audio Conferencing User SLs.

A Windows Server-based management application that automates software deployment and patching, hardware and software inventorying, and compliance with configuration policies; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs. See System Center Configuration Manager for in-depth entry.

A collection of six client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software.

Outlines major changes to the Core CAL Suite’s content and pricing.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Core Infrastructure Server Suite, organized by high and low value benefits.

A license model exclusive to Windows Server 2016 that requires at least 16 core–based licenses per physical server and CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or access devices.

An online service that delivers customer relationship management, marketing, sales, and service capabilities. See synonym Dynamics CRM Online for in-depth entry.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific product edition deploys a different, generally lower-level edition instead. See synonym down edition for in-depth entry.

A type of servicing model offered for the Windows client OS (Windows 10) and for Windows Server (version 2016) that delivered feature updates to a computer as often as two to three times a year; replaced by SAC (Semi-Annual Channel) model.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

A compliance feature built into and licensed as part of various online services and on-premises products that helps minimize the likelihood that sensitive information is not misused, for example, forwarded or sent outside an organization via e-mail and document sharing.

A broad brand for social networking and document discovery features in Office 365; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A Per-Device License model applicable to the Windows Pro Upgrade and to Windows Enterprise Per Device licenses purchased without SA (Software Assurance).

A license model exclusive to Visual Studio and MSDN offerings that generally requires a license for each user who accesses the included software and online services.

Provides the right for a device to be used by any person to access all running instances of a particular server-based product deployed by the customer’s organization.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit offered for most on-premises server licenses that waives the need to license backup servers used for disaster recovery in some scenarios.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific product edition deploys a different, generally lower-level edition instead.

A family of online services and on-premises products that provide customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality.

A Windows Server-based server application, formerly called Dynamics AX Server, that delivers enterprise resource planning (ERP) capabilities, tailored for multinational midmarket organizations; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model and listed in the Product Terms under Dynamics 365 On-Premises.

On-premises server software, Dynamics 365 Server and Dynamics 365 for Operations Server, that deliver customer relationship management (CRM), sales management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

Set of online services that provide customer relationship management (CRM), sales management, enterprise resource planning (ERP), retail, and human resources (HR) functionality; packaged as Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement and Dynamics 365 Unified Operations and licensed primarily via User SLs.

A Windows Server-based server application, previously called Dynamics CRM Server, that delivers customer relationship management (CRM), sales, and service capabilities; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model and grouped under the Dynamics 365 On-Premises packaging.

Online service providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality previously packaged in Dynamics AX Online; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses) and Device SLs.

A legacy Windows Server-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform tailored for multinational midmarket organizations; primarily licensed under the Server/CAL License Model. The application’s successor is Dynamics 365 for Operations Server, which is included under the category of Dynamics 365 On-Premises.

The previous name for Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, an online service that delivers customer relationship management, sales, and service capabilities; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses); now packaged as part of Dynamics 365 Online.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit that provides self-paced online courses targeted at end users and IT professionals.

A collection of client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software that is a superset of the Core CAL Suite. See synonym Enterprise CAL Suite for in-depth entry.

Used to distinguish the various SKUs within a product line, with differences including technical features, price, and occasionally use rights and license model.

Suites that offer a collection of User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for several online services used to manage and protect user identities, devices, applications, and corporate data, along with licenses for corresponding on-premises software. See the in-depth entry Enterprise Mobility + Security.

A collection of client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software that is a superset of the Core CAL Suite.

Outlines major changes to the Enterprise CAL Suite’s content and pricing.

Technology that enables organizations to centrally define and distribute VMs (virtual machines) to PCs; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Illustration summarizes the various Add-on options for the Enterprise Mobility + Security suites, including their prerequisites and contents.

A collection of User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for several online services used to manage and protect user identities, devices, applications, and corporate data, along with licenses for corresponding on-premises software. Renamed; see Enterprise Mobility + Security for in-depth entry.

An online service that filters incoming and outgoing e-mail for malware and spam, is included as a built-in feature of Exchange Online, and is available for Exchange Server installations. See Exchange Online Protection (EOP) for in-depth entry.

A discontinued Microsoft-hosted service that filtered e-mail going into or out of organizations. See successor product Exchange Online Protection for in-depth entry.

An online service that augments the Exchange Online Protection service to provide additional protection against previously unknown malware, malicious URLs, and other types of threats. Renamed; see Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection for in-depth entry.

An online service that filters incoming and outgoing e-mail for malware and spam, is included as a built-in feature of Exchange Online, and is available for Exchange Server installations.

Illustration outlines the technical features licensed by the Exchange Server Standard CAL (Client Access License) and Enterprise CAL; covers versions 2016 and 2013.

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Exchange Server.

Licenses access by an unlimited number of nonemployees to instances of Windows Server running on a single physical server.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit specific to SQL Server and Dynamics 365 On-Premises that waives the need, under limited circumstances, to license systems used for passive fail-over.

Illustration summarizes the online services and features included with Office 365 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Enterprise “F1” suites targeting Firstline workers, a population generally requiring more modest IT services compared to knowledge workers.

A discontinued Microsoft-hosted service that filtered e-mail going into or out of organizations. See successor product Exchange Online Protection for in-depth entry.

An online service for conducting Web-based surveys, quiz¬zes, and polls; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Refers to the month and year a product version was officially released to volume licensing customers.

A discrete computational unit to which the operating system can assign an independent instruction stream; sometimes relevant under the Per Core License Model and Server/CAL License Model.

Refers to a scenario involving Windows Server-based high performance computing (HPC) clusters licensed via volume licensing programs where client access is “free,” meaning neither Windows Server CALs (client access licenses) nor External Connectors are required.

A hardware performance enhancement technology that allows each physical core within a physical processor to execute two (rather than one) independent instruction streams simultaneously; can be a factor under the Per Core License Model.

A Windows Server-based directory synchronization and user credential management product that replaced Forefront Identity Manager; licensed on a Per-User basis with an Identity Manager CAL (Client Access License).

Most often used to describe software that is loaded into memory and either executing or ready for execution.

An online service that provides antimalware, hardware and software inventory tracking, health monitoring, software updating, and policy management for mobile devices, Windows 10 PCs, and Apple Macs; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Key Management Service (KMS) is an activation method that allows organizations to deploy and use on-premises servers to activate products on devices with access to the organization’s network.

To allocate a product license to one device or user so that it is not considered to be in use by multiple devices or users simultaneously. See synonym Assign for in-depth entry.

A special provision, usually associated with SA (Software Assurance), that allows licenses assigned to servers to be reassigned with unlimited frequency within the confines of a server farm.

A use right provided through volume licensing programs that allows customers to repurpose server licenses with active SA (Software Assurance) toward workloads running on a service provider's multitenant servers. See synonym License Mobility through SA for in-depth entry.

Lists all the Illustrations available as part of the Licensing Reference Set

Lists all the timelines available as part of the Licensing Reference Set

A discrete computational unit to which the operating system can assign an independent instruction stream; sometimes relevant under the Per Core License Model. See synonym hardware thread for in-depth entry.

The Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) is the label used for the slow cadence servicing model offered for System Center Configuration Manager; the term was previously used for Windows Enterprise and Windows Server until the word Branch was replaced by “Channel” (LTSC)

Client applications for desktop and mobile devices that provides access to Lync Server and Lync Online features that provided presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing. Name changed; see successor product Skype for Business client for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server-based server application that provides presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing. See successor product Skype for Business Server for in-depth entry.

A license model exclusive to System Center products (and Advanced Threat Analytics) that requires managed servers and clients to be licensed with Server MLs (Management Licenses) and Client MLs respectively.

A suite of technologies to help organizations centrally manage PCs; licensed on a subscription basis through SA (Software Assurance) offerings for Windows Enterprise and through VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) subscription licenses.

Offering that combines User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for Windows Enterprise, Office 365 Enterprise suites, and Enterprise Mobility + Security suites or components.

Illustration summarizes the online services and features included with Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 and E5 suites.

A set of fee-based offerings that license a broad collection of Microsoft software and online services on a Per-User basis, with use limited to application development and test, problem diagnosis and resolution, demonstration, and evaluation. See MSDN for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides the right to deploy new product versions that become available during the term of SA coverage. See synonym new version rights for in-depth entry.

A discontinued MSDN offering targeting operations personnel managing test labs and Windows developers who did not need a Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE); replaced by MSDN Platforms.

Used to describe a physical processor with more than one core. See related term core for in-depth entry.

Describes scenarios where clients communicate with a server product or online service through an intermediary rather than directly.

An online service designed to help users increase their productivity by better understanding how they spend their work time within Office 365; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Describes a license that allows a customer to use the associated product for a specified period of time only.

Name for client application suites for Windows PCs and Macs licensed under Desktop Applications License Model, but also used in other contexts.

The default activation method for Office 365-branded applications; uses a Microsoft hosted service to manage the activation of applications installed on users’ devices.

An online service that augments the Exchange Online Protection (EOP) service to add protection against previously unknown malware, and augments EOP and Office 365 ProPlus to protect against malicious URLs; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses)

A set of features licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites that enable customers to individually approve or deny requests for access to their Office 365 data by Microsoft administrators.

Suites of Office 365 online services and on-premises server use rights important to large businesses, providing cost benefits compared to purchasing separately; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Illustration summarizes the contents of Office 365 Enterprise E1, E3, and E5 suites.

A suite of client applications for PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets licensed Per-User via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

A central console used to investigate the scope, nature, and origin of attacks and suspicious activity; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Office 365 ProPlus, Office Professional Plus, Office Standard, Office for Mac Standard, Office Online Server, and Office Web Apps Server.

An online service that observes Office 365 user activity and infers relationships among users and their content; used in the background by some Office 365 features and licensed via purchase of online services that use it.

Allows a single instance of an Office desktop application or suite to offer features such as menus and dialogs, grammar and spell checking, and sorting for multiple different languages; use rights included with Office 2016 suites.

Server software that enables browser-based viewing and limited editing of Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents; some functions licensed with User SLs or Office and SA. Successor to Office Web Apps Server.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Office suites, Visio, and Project; organized by high and low value benefits

Illustration compares application components in Office Professional Plus and Office Standard across versions 2016, 2013, and 2010.

Server software that enables browser-based viewing and limited editing of Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents; in some scenarios, use is free, in others, Office suite (Per-Device) licenses or User SLs are required. Replaced by Office Online Server.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

Application for free-form information gathering (including note-taking) and multi-user collaboration available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers; typically licensed as part of an Office suite.

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to online services suites sold as User SLs (Subscription Licenses), including Office 365 Enterprise suites, Enterprise Mobility + Security suites, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise suites.

Predecessor to Online Services Terms, a repository for certain types of information specific to online service licenses acquired through volume licensing programs. See Online Services Terms (OST) for in-depth entry.

Bundles several Azure hosted services to provide a less expensive alternative to separate subscriptions for managing hosted and on-premises compute resources; also includes some rights to manage systems with System Center.

Operating system environment is an operating system instance running on either a physical device, virtual machine, or hardware partition.

Is a Windows desktop application commonly used with Exchange Server and Exchange Online.See Outlook client.

Is a browser based-client included with Exchange Server and Exchange Online.Formerly Outlook Web App; see Outlook client.

Is a browser based-client included with Exchange Server and Exchange Online (full name: Outlook Web App); renamed Outlook on the Web; see Outlook client.

A license model used for SQL Server and a few other server-based applications; use of the product covered by purchasing a license for each physical core in a server or licenses based on the processing resources allocated to a Virtual OSE.

A license model used for older versions of SQL Server and a few other server-based applications; use of the product covered by purchasing a license for each physical processor in a server or licenses based on the processing resources allocated to a Virtual OSE.

A hosted public exchange (PBX) service that augments Skype for Business Online and Teams with traditional PBX capabilities, such as call forwarding and delegation; licensed predominantly via User SLs.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

An online service for organizing and tracking small projects; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Describes a license that allows a customer to use the associated software on more than one OS platform; commonly used to license Office for Mac Standard.

A laptop or tablet on which products licensed under the Desktop Applications License Model can, under certain circumstances, be locally installed without requiring its own device-based license.

A free-to-download Windows desktop report design tool that is the primary method for creating reports shared in the Power BI backend services: Power BI Pro, Power BI Premium, and Power BI Report Server.

An online service for publishing, distributing, and rendering reports; licensed primarily on a capacity basis.

A component of SQL Server that enables customers to host and share Power BI content on-premises and reduces the need to license individual users; licensed via Power BI Premium subscriptions or SQL Server Enterprise core licenses.

Application for creating slide-based presentations available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers; typically licensed as part of an Office suite.

Support offering for EA (Enterprise Agreement) customers provides critical and important security updates and bulletins for 2008 and later versions of SQL Server and Windows Server for up to six years beyond the conclusion of Extended Support

A type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to certain advanced or niche server features. See synonym Additive CAL for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides limited break-fix phone incidents for products in Mainstream support.

A license model exclusive to Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 that requires at least one server-side license per physical server and CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or client devices.

A validation process built into a small number of the most popular Microsoft products that must be successfully completed for the software to function correctly. See synonym Activation for in-depth entry.

Prior to July 2015, one of two main documents (the other being the PUR) that contained rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs; replaced by Product Terms but still relevant for past SA license grants and other reasons.

Prior to July 2015, one of two main documents (the other being the Product List) that contained rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs; replaced by Product Terms. See PUR for in-depth entry.

Name for Project Standard and Professional project management client applications for Windows PCs licensed under Desktop Applications License Model, but also used in other contexts.

Project and portfolio management client application for Windows PCs licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses); renamed Project Online Desktop Client in Aug. 2016; see Project Online for in-depth entry.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Project Server, organized by high and low value benefits

Prior to July 2015, one of two main documents (the other being the Product List) that contained rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs; replaced by Product Terms but still valuable for researching rules for non-current product versions

Somewhat nebulously defined by the Product Terms as a client “device that is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by Customer or its Affiliates”; phrase is a factor in Roaming Rights.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that allows authorized individuals to use Internet-connected devices to connect to the organization’s server-based desktops or desktop PCs. See synonym Remote Desktop Gateway for in-depth entry.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) used to assign virtual desktops to users, load the associated VMs (virtual machines) onto server hosts, and help users connect. See synonym Remote Desktop Virtualization Host for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit lets customers use RDS User CALs to license access to session desktops hosted on service providers’ multitenant servers.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) used to assign virtual desktops to users, load the associated VMs (virtual machines) onto server hosts, and help users connect. See synonym Remote Desktop Virtualization Host for in-depth entry.

Term typically used to describe a customer’s right to overwrite a PC’s OEM-installed Windows client OS with a customized Windows Pro image built using installation media obtained through a volume licensing program.

Most often used to describe software that allows a client device to access a Windows-based desktop (OS, shell, desktop applications, user settings and preferences, etc.) hosted on a different device.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that allows authorized individuals to use Internet-connected devices to connect to the organization’s server-based desktops or desktop PCs; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors.

A feature for hosting session desktops, formerly known as Terminal Services, that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) role; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors

Refers to the right for users, under certain circumstances, to use some other client device to connect to their Windows-licensed PC from across the Internet.

A Windows Server role that encrypts e-mails, files, and other content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to an unsecured file sharing service or shared by e-mail; See: RMS for a detailed entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit, associated with Office Professional Plus and other client products licensed Per-Device, sometimes permits users at unlicensed client devices to access server-based desktops running the product.

Software Assurance (SA) augments on-premises product licenses with rights to new versions of the licensed software, use rights that provide the most cost effective way to enable specific usage scenarios (such as virtualization), and miscellaneous benefits of modest value.

The semi-annual channel (SAC) is a product servicing model promising to deliver two new versions per year, each supported for approximately 18 months; use of these versions require active SA (Software Assurance) coverage on a preexisting perpetual license, or an ongoing subscription license.

Secure Productive Enterprise (SPE) combined User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for Windows Enterprise, Office 365 Enterprise suites, and Enterprise Mobility + Security suites. Renamed; see Microsoft 365 Enterprise.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit permits certain on-premises server products to be used as components within a commercial hosted service.

A physical hardware device capable of running server OSs (operating systems) and applications such as Windows Server and SQL Server.

Server Management Licenses (ML) provide the right for server OS-based workloads running on a physical server to be managed by one or more System Center components; starting Oct. 2016, Server MLs are Per-Core.

The most common license model for server-based applications; generally requires at least one server-side license per physical server and CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or client devices.

Used to distinguish various Azure branded offerings with differences including technical features, performance, capacity, and price. See synonym Tier for in-depth entry.

A type of server-based desktop architecture where multiple concurrent users share the same Windows Server instance running on a server.

An alternative to Office 365 Activation used to handle activation of Office 365-branded applications on devices shared by multiple users.

An Office 365-branded online service that delivers file sharing, team collaboration, corporate portal hosting, enterprise search, content management, Web-based reporting, and other functions; Built on a similar code base as SharePoint Server and licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with SharePoint Server, organized by high and low value benefits

Online service delivering file storage, sharing, and synchronization. Name changed; see successor product OneDrive for Business for in-depth entry.

Client applications for desktop and mobile devices that provides access to Skype for Business Server and Skype for Business Online communications features; in most cases licensed separately from the server application and online service.

A hosted public exchange (PBX) service that augments Skype for Business Online with traditional PBX capabilities, such as call forwarding and delegation; licensed via User SLs. Renamed; see Phone System for in-depth entry.

A feature associated with Skype for Business Online that enables meeting attendees to call in to Skype for Business meetings when they are unable to attend online; users scheduling or hosting such meetings require a User SL. Renamed; see Audio Conferencing for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server-based server application that provides presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Skype for Business Server, organized by high and low value benefits

A discontinued online service that allowed organizations to monitor social networks and blogs for brand performance and engage with individuals who post comments. See successor product Social Engagement for in-depth entry.

A subscription add-on for on-premises licenses that provides rights to new versions of the licensed software, use rights that provide the most cost effective way to enable specific usage scenarios (such as virtualization), and miscellaneous benefits of modest value. See SA for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit allows customers to spread the cost of a new perpetual license across multiple (typically annual) payments.

Illustration compares SQL Server editions features across versions 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2012.

A limited use copy of SQL Server distributed with certain System Center and Visual Studio product offerings that eliminates the need for customers to license SQL Server separately.

An online service for work shift scheduling; licensed as part of Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Type of supplementary license used to convert a lower-level edition or plan license to a higher level.

An image of software created by running a program’s associated setup procedure or duplicating an existing installed copy. See synonym install for in-depth entry.

Describes a program or license that grants rights for a specific term (timeframe).

A presentation application; licensed as part of Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A bundle of Client MLs (Management Licenses) for System Center Data Protection Manager, System Center Operations Manager, System Center Orchestrator, and System Center Service Manager; being phased out in favor of separate client licenses for each product.

A Windows Server-based management application that captures frequent backups of application and system data to disk, tape, or Internet storage; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit associated with System Center management licenses allows use of an online tool for monitoring of Web application availability and performance.

A Windows Server-based management application that automates IT processes, such as provisioning of virtual servers, to save staff, prevent errors, and achieve faster remediation of problems; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs.

A Windows Server-based management application that automates trouble ticketing and problem tracking; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs.

Tool for managing large numbers of VMs (virtual machines) and their physical hosts running hardware virtualization technologies; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Configuration Manager Client MLs.

A free edition of Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, a Windows Server-based application lifecycle management tool for developers and testers, but with use limited to five or fewer users. See Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Express for in-depth entry.

A feature for hosting session desktops that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) component; renamed with introduction of Windows Server 2008 R2. See Remote Desktop Session Host for in-depth entry.

Used to distinguish various Azure branded services with differences including technical features, performance, capacity, and price.

Technology that allows users to maintain the same applications settings when using different devices, such as PCs or tablets; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See User Experience Virtualization for full entry.

A person running Microsoft software on a client device, accessing software on a server, or making use of an online service.

Technology that allows users to maintain the same applications settings when using different devices, such as PCs or tablets; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Provides the (non-perpetual) right for a user to access a particular online service, server-based product, or Windows client OS, typically from any device. See synonym User SL for in-depth entry.

A Per-Device or Per-User subscription that licenses access to Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted virtual desktops and in many cases also allows local use of Windows Enterprise on client devices.

A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to access Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted virtual desktops, and to install and run Windows Enterprise locally on most Windows-capable client devices.

Designates a significant release of an on-premises product; use of a newer version almost always requires an additional fee of some sort.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides the right to deploy new product versions that become available during the term of SA coverage. See synonym New Version Rights for in-depth entry.

A type of server-based desktop architecture where each user has a dedicated OS instance running in a VM (virtual machine) hosted on a server.

Most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows client OS in VMs (virtual machines); sometimes used more broadly to describe any server-based desktop architecture or infrastructure. See synonym VDI for in-depth entry.

An OSE (operating system environment) running on a VM (virtual machine)]; see OSE for more details.

Tool for viewing and creating business and technical diagrams, such as flowcharts, organization charts, and office layouts; delivered as both a browser-based and Windows-based application and licensed via User SLs.

Higher end edition of Windows client application for viewing, creating, and modifying business and technical diagrams; licensed Per-Device under the Desktop Applications License Model.

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Visio-branded applications.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Visual Studio and MSDN-related licenses, organized by high and low value benefits

A cross-platform code editor with extensible support for development operations such as building and debugging applications; use is free with no restrictions against commercial use.

A Windows-based integrated development environment (IDE) used to design, develop, debug, and test commercial and in-house applications, usually running in conjunction with Microsoft software or online services; licensed as part of the Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription.

Licenses (mostly) non-production use of Microsoft products; targets developers requiring the most advanced debugging, diagnostics, testing, modeling, and lab management capabilities, and applications developers leveraging server-based software besides SQL Server. Renamed Apr. 2017; see Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription for in-depth entry.

An online service that provides source code control, build management, and other Visual Studio Team Foundation Server (TFS) functionality. See successor product Visual Studio Team Services for in-depth entry.

An integrated development environment (IDE) used to design, develop, debug, and test commercial and in-house applications, usually running in conjunction with Microsoft software or online services; licensed under the Developer Tools License Model.

Licenses non-production use of Microsoft products; targets developers who do not require the advanced debugging, diagnostics, testing, architecture and modeling, and lab management capabilities unique to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE. Renamed Apr. 2017; see Visual Studio Professional Subscription for in-depth entry.

A free edition of Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, a Windows Server-based application lifecycle management tool for developers and testers, but with use limited to five or fewer users.

Licenses testing tools along with non-production use of a broad array of Microsoft software and online services; targets personnel involved with software test planning, authoring, execution, and tracking.

A discontinued MSDN offering targeting high-end development requiring the most advanced debugging and load and performance testing tools; replaced by Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription.

An OS (operating system) instance and applications that exhibits the behavior of a separate computer but does not require its own dedicated hardware to run.

Programs designed to make bulk purchases more practical and convenient for organizations that want to license Microsoft products for production purposes, as well as for development and testing of internal applications.

Refers to certain scenarios involving public-facing Windows Server-based websites licensed via volume licensing programs where client access is “free,” meaning neither Windows Server CALs (client access licenses) nor External Connectors are required.

An activation method specific to Windows Enterprise when licensed Per-User; use is optional except in two specific scenarios.

Illustration compares Windows client OS editions features across versions 10, 8/8.1, and 7.

An online service that adds a post-breach layer of protection to Windows 10 clients, helping to detect and remedy threats that made it past other defenses; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Per-Device licenses that provide the right to install and run Windows Enterprise edition on the licensed PC (or Mac); licenses with SA (Software Assurance) coverage also provide access to the OS running within server-hosted virtual desktops.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Windows Enterprise and VDA licenses, organized by high and low value benefits

Table compares use rights and rules for a Windows Enterprise Per Device license with active SA (Software Assurance) coverage and a VDA Device SL (Subscription License) purchased via an EA (Enterprise Agreement), Select Plus contract, or MPSA (Microsoft Product and Services Agreement)

The lowest-level Windows client OS edition of relevance to organization customers; licensed Per-Device.

A Per-Device perpetual license for Windows Pro that comes with new PCs; the main business-focused Windows client OS edition available through the OEM channel.

A server OS (operating system) licensed under a Core/CAL License Model or Processor/CAL License Model that is a prerequisite for all Microsoft server-based applications.

Illustration compares Windows Server Standard and Datacenter edition features across versions 2016, 2012 R2, and 2012.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Windows Server, organized by high and low value benefits

A small-footprint OS that enables existing Windows PCs to be repurposed as thin client devices; licensed via Windows Enterprise and VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) licenses.

Flowchart illustrates the ways an organization can acquire the right to host Windows client OS-based virtual desktops on on-premises servers and make them accessible to users.

Discounted Office and Office for Mac Standard licenses for certain customers of those suites.