Server Enrollments Modified

Initial purchase requirements for the Enrollment for Application Platform (EAP) and the Enrollment for Core Infrastructure (ECI) have been reduced to make it easier for smaller customers to access the programs. In addition, customers with existing Windows Server licenses can migrate them into the ECI, further reducing costs. The programs can reduce the upfront cost of moving to Microsoft server products.

EAP Threshold Reduced

The EAP, introduced in 2008, is aimed at customers who want to upgrade and expand key server products, such as BizTalk, SharePoint, and SQL Server, which Microsoft considers part of its “application platform.” The EAP encourages customers to upgrade to the latest versions of these products by deferring the cost of new licenses and requiring the customer to pay only for Software Assurance (SA), Microsoft’s upgrade rights subscription, which is 25% of the license price each year.

In addition, EAP customers can license new servers at discounts of 15% to 40% off the regular volume prices. The 15% discount is offered for Standard editions, such as SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard edition, and the 40% discount on “premium” editions, such as SQL Server Enterprise, Datacenter, or Parallel Data Warehouse editions.