Finally Pricing for SBS and EBS 2008

Microsoft has released the pricing for the upcoming releases of the new SBS and EBS products later this year. Here are the facts:

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $1,089 (U.S.); additional CALs $77 each (U.S.)

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $1,899 (U.S.); additional CALs $189 each (U.S.)

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Standard Edition software, including five CALs, $5,472 (U.S.); additional CALs $81 each (U.S.)

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition software, including five CALs, $7,163 (U.S.); additional CALs $195 each (U.S.)

Microsoft also today announced rebates of up to $200 (U.S.) for solution provider partners configuring Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 for their clients who acquire the software and purchase Software Assurance within a certain time period. With Software Assurance, customers will receive the upgrade to Small Business Server 2008 at no additional cost when it is available, as well as access to support, tools and training. Terms and conditions of the rebates are available at http://www.SBSrebate.com.

There are some things to keep in mind about this. There are some licensing improvements over the current Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 product including:

Customers will be able to purchase single client access licenses (CALs), so they will pay only for the exact number of employees using the product.

Customers can cost-effectively purchase a mix of Standard or Premium CALs, as appropriate to the technologies that individual employees are using.

CALs now apply to other copies of Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server on the network, eliminating the need to purchase additional CALs.

The full press release is at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/may08/05-13PublicPreviewPricingPR.mspx.

The net is that the mix is different but the cost to the end user is extremely close to what it was prior. It is just done differently - higher price server and lower priced sku's. Don't let the change cause you alarm without getting the facts first. It really is a good thing from my perspective. Customers have wondered why it was so cheap - now the server is more in line but the cals are less. Check out the details - but the real key is to sell SA now and get a free upgrade to SBS2008.