Key Points

• There is a Minimum order requirement set at the quantity of SQL per-core licenses needed for 50 cores or licenses for five SQL Server editions with 250 CALs.

• A SCE can be purchased on a Perpetual or Subscription basis and this can be mixed within the SCE if necessary.

• A Perpetual purchase has higher cost in the first 3 years but gives you perpetual licences after that 3 years (the following 3 years would be SA only).

• SCE offers a 15% discount on licenses and a 5% discount on Software Assurance.

• Both SCE options include SA.

• Over the life of the SCE, you can deploy additional software and online services and then account for these changes through an annual reconciliation process known as True-Up.

• Subscriptions require a minimum commitment of 12 months. However, should you not wish to renew or prefer to purchase a license, buyout pricing will be set at year three True-Up pricing.

• An ‘Enterprise’ is defined by the affiliates declaration in the Enterprise Enrollment. Normally, a business will select “all and future affiliates” to incorporate planned acquisitions. Microsoft would normally classify an enrolled affiliate as an organization that is more than 50% owned.

True-Up

"Once a year, you are asked to reconcile your SCE licenses, subscriptions, and services to account for anything that has been added in the previous 12 months. This effort culminates in an order you place (or an Update Statement you submit) that reconciles all the software licenses, subscriptions, or online services added or used by your organization over the course of the year. Your annual reconciliation order (or Update Statement) is due 60-30 days prior to your Enrollment anniversary, which helps Microsoft make sure you’re taking advantage of allowable license transitions or license reductions before issuing your annual invoice. (See the Enterprise Agreement True-up Guide for more information.)"

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