Rules for SharePoint Server CALs

SharePoint Server is one of approximately a dozen Microsoft products that are licensed with Client Access Licenses (CALs), and for most customers these CALs comprise 80% or more of SharePoint Server licensing costs.

Rules governing SharePoint Server CALs are mostly consistent with the following general rules for Microsoft server products.

CALs are assigned per-user or per-device. Each User CAL gives one user (employee or nonemployee) the right to use any device to access all instances of SharePoint Server running within the organization. User CALs are attractive for knowledge workers that make use of multiple devices, such as a desktop, laptop, and smart phone.

Each Device CAL licenses a particular end-user device to access all instances of SharePoint Server running within the organization. Device CALs are useful for devices shared by multiple users, such as workstations in a 24-hour call center. Device CALs can be purchased to license devices owned by an organization as well as client devices owned by employees or other entities.