SharePoint Server SE Continues Move to Subscription Model

• The latest version of SharePoint Server moves the software to a subscription model.
• SharePoint Server SE incorporates some, but not all, features of SharePoint Online.
• This version will be of most interest to customers who require an on-premises deployment for data governance reasons.

SharePoint Server Subscription Edition (SE), released in Nov. 2021, is software for on-premises deployment that delivers a subset of features that have already been implemented in the Microsoft-hosted SharePoint Online service. Although the software offers some areas of improvement over previous versions, most enterprises will first need to focus on the changes in licensing and product support tied to this new version.

Licensing and Product Support Tightened

Unlike previous versions, which were sold as a one-time (“perpetual”) purchase, SharePoint Server SE requires the purchase of a subscription license. The subscription will enable access to support, security, and product updates and patches while customers are current on their payments. Customers must maintain active Software Assurance coverage to run SharePoint Server SE and receive perpetual use rights for SharePoint Server 2019 only. If customers drop Software Assurance coverage or purchase a buyout license, they must uninstall SharePoint Server SE and install the 2019 version.