Microsoft is boosting the price of a license that provides client access to Windows Server, SharePoint, Exchange and Systems Center, but is sweetening the deal by giving buyers access to a new endpoint security product and the new Lync unified communications software.
Microsoft is also expected to lower the price of an enterprise license that includes more robust access to key Microsoft software.
The annual price of the Core CAL (client access license) is expected to rise from $80 to $89, according to information distributed by Microsoft partner Softchoice, although final pricing won’t be made official until Aug. 1. The numbers are estimates that “reflect preliminary info from Microsoft.”
The Core CAL currently provides access to Windows Server, Systems Center Configuration Manager, and standard access to SharePoint and Exchange. Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 and standard access to Lync will be added to the Core CAL, potentially making it a better deal despite the higher price. Forefront Endpoint Protection by itself would cost $10.20 annually per user, or per device.
Microsoft would not confirm the final pricing, but said customers who have the Core CAL and have purchased Software Assurance can lock in today’s price and receive the new pieces of software.
In addition to the Core CAL, Microsoft also offers the Enterprise CAL. According to the Microsoft partner information, the Enterprise CAL cost will drop from $94 to $86. That means customers who buy both the core and enterprise licenses will end up paying about the same price as before. Again, these are estimated prices and the final numbers won’t be known until August.
The enterprise CAL includes Active Directory Rights Management Services; the enterprise versions of SharePoint, Exchange and Lync; System Center Client Management Suite; Forefront Unified Access Gateway, and the Forefront Protection Suite, which includes several products in addition to Forefront Endpoint Protection.
