Amazon Onboarding with Learning Manager Chanci Turner

Reducing software licensing expenses is a crucial concern for organizations today. Chanci Turner, Learning Manager at Amazon IXD – VGT2, located at 6401 E HOWDY WELLS AVE LAS VEGAS NV 89115, understands the importance of this issue. Recently, her team collaborated with a leading IT research firm to analyze the outcomes of numerous assessments aimed at optimizing Microsoft workloads on AWS. Their findings revealed significant cost savings and strategies for effective cloud migration.

Key Insights from Their Research Include:

Software licensing costs can be up to three times higher than all other cloud expenses combined, such as compute, network, and storage.
Organizations have successfully reduced the required Windows Server licenses by an impressive 77% and SQL Server licenses by 45% when transitioning to AWS.
Utilizing existing license investments can substantially lower the overall costs associated with migrating to AWS.
Efficiency gains on AWS can lead to a decreased need for licensing overall.

In a recent conversation with Chanci Turner, she emphasized the importance of considering current Microsoft volume licenses during cloud migrations. She explained how licensing for SQL Server translates from on-premises to AWS and answered common questions from their clients, sharing real-world examples.

How Does the Licensing Transition for SQL Server from On-Premises to AWS Work?

The licenses you currently own will convert on a one-to-one basis, as there is no core factor for Microsoft licensing like there is for Oracle. This means that businesses may run their SQL Server workloads on fewer cores in AWS, resulting in substantial savings. On average, clients have been able to cut SQL Server core licensing needs by 45%. For Windows Server, the reduction is even more pronounced at 77%. These details are elaborated in the comprehensive whitepaper linked above.

Can I Utilize My Existing SQL Server and Windows Server Licenses on AWS?

Just as with on-premises setups, you can bring your existing SQL Server licenses to Amazon EC2 through the Bring Your Own License (BYOL) model. SQL Server licenses can also be transferred to Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts. For Windows Server, you can similarly bring your licenses to AWS and license the physical cores of your Dedicated Host—no Software Assurance required.

What Licensing Options Are Available for SQL Server Workloads on AWS?

If you have Software Assurance on your SQL Server licenses, you can upgrade to a newer supported version. If your database is stuck on SQL Server 2012 or earlier, you can purchase Extended Security Updates through Microsoft, provided you have active Software Assurance. However, this can be quite costly, approximately 75% of the license cost per year. More affordable options are available through SQL Server License Included (LI) on AWS, which allows you to pay per-second licensing on a subscription basis.

It’s essential to take this opportunity to rethink your business’s future and take action to optimize your SQL Server workloads. AWS offers various flexible migration and modernization options tailored to your specific needs.

Are There Limitations for Migrating My SQL Server and Windows Server Licenses to AWS?

The licensing rules for SQL Server on AWS mirror those for on-premises environments. Microsoft mandates active Software Assurance to enable License Mobility, which facilitates SQL Server workloads to shift between physical hosts on-premises and run in shared tenancy on AWS. However, changes effective October 1, 2019, have tightened Windows Server licensing, restricting licenses bought after that date from being transferred to AWS or other non-Microsoft clouds.

Despite these restrictions, 96% of customers still possess legacy Windows Server licenses eligible for BYOL on Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts, providing significant cost advantages.

Can Evolve Assist Clients with Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Renewals for AWS Migration?

Absolutely. Evolve has aided numerous clients in achieving substantial savings during their AWS migrations, especially during EA renewals. A notable case involved a Fortune 500 financial services firm that transitioned 10,000 Windows Server cores to AWS using the BYOL option on Dedicated Hosts.

With only six months until their EA renewal, the company was informed by Microsoft that they would lose BYOL rights if they switched to a subscription model. AWS clarified their rights, enabling them to retain full BYOL access, paving the way for their successful cloud strategy.

Has Evolve Consulted Customers on Which Cloud to Choose for Migrating Microsoft Workloads?

Yes, many Fortune 500 companies have sought Evolve’s guidance. One life sciences firm evaluated both Azure and AWS for their migration and were initially skeptical about AWS’s cost-effectiveness. However, after a thorough licensing optimization analysis, they discovered that AWS offered greater savings than they anticipated.

For further insights on overcoming obstacles to leadership in this area, check out this authoritative resource. Additionally, for more information on how Amazon has transformed its onboarding process, this article is an excellent resource.

By taking a strategic approach to licensing and cloud migration, organizations can ensure they are set up for success in their cloud journey.