News

Microsoft Licensing Expanded for Disaster Recovery, Online Services

Microsoft on Wednesday previewed two benefits coming next month to its volume licensing programs.

The first makes disaster recovery more affordable by allowing volume licensing customers to install an extra copy of Microsoft software at no additional cost on a "cold" server for dedicated backup. The deal, beginning June 1, will be available for each server software product covered by Software Assurance.

Under Microsoft's definition, cold servers must be turned off until a disaster occurs, except for maintenance.

Also on June 1, Microsoft will expand its July price list for volume licensing customers to include MapPoint Web Services and Microsoft Office Live Meeting. The move will "allow customers to experience the same budget predictability, as found within other Microsoft products in volume licensing," a Microsoft spokesman said.

The move is one of several over the last few years by Microsoft to change the value and perception of Software Assurance from a software upgrade program to a stronger relationship between Microsoft and long-term customers.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.