As you may recall from my “Editions, pricing, beta, and more information on SBS 2008 & EBS 2008 released today” post, when Small Business Server 2008 is released, not only will there be a Standard and a Premium Server package, there will also be Standard and Premium CALs as well. Because of this, one question I have been receiving is, “If I have Software Assurance on my SBS Server and CALs today, will I get SBS Standard or Premium CALs once SBS 2008 is released?”

The answer is, it is dependent on your Server license. If you have an SBS Server Standard license with Software Assurance, then your SBS CALs that have Software Assurance will become SBS 2008 Standard CALs. If you have an SBS Server Premium license with Software Assurance, then your SBS CALs that have Software Assurance will become SBS 2008 Premium CALs.

So for all of you scratching your head right now and asking, “So, does that mean I can sell my clients SBS Server Premium 2003 with Software Assurance and SBS CALs with Software Assurance today at the lower per CAL price and they’ll get the SBS 2008 Premium CALs when it comes out without having to pay the SBS 2008 Premium CAL price difference? The answer, yes, that’s what I am saying. I’ll even help you out by giving you the Part numbers you need to order these for your clients through both perpetual licenses and subscription licenses:

To order SBS Premium 2003 with Software Assurance today as a perpetual license:

SBS 2003 Premium Server License + Software Assurance:

• Part #: T75-00927 (This is the 1^st year payment using the 3 year spread payments)
• Part #: T75-00925 (This is the 3 year up-front payment)

SBS 2003 CALs License + Software Assurance:

• SBS Device CAL with spread payments: Part #: T74-01729
• SBS Device CAL with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01723
• SBS User CAL with spread payments: Part #: T74-01744
• SBS User CAL with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01738

5 Packs

• SBS Device CAL 5-Pack with spread payments: Part #: T74-01731
• SBS Device CAL 5-Pack with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01725
• SBS User CAL 5-Pack with spread payments: Part #: T74-01746
• SBS User CAL 5-Pack with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01740

20 Packs

• SBS Device CAL 20-Pack with spread payments: Part #: T74-01730
• SBS Device CAL 20-Pack with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01724
• SBS User CAL 20-Pack with spread payments: Part #: T74-01745
• SBS User CAL 20-Pack with up-front payment: Part #: T74-01739

To order SBS Premium 2003 with Software Assurance today as a subscription license:

SBS 2003 Premium Server License + Software Assurance:

• Part #: T75-01139 (Must be ordered with CALs on company-wide basis for subscription model)

SBS 2003 User CAL License + Software Assurance:

• Part #: T74-02681 (Must be ordered on a company-wide basis for subscription model)

SBS 2003 Device CAL License + Software Assurance:

• Part #: T74-02617 (Must be ordered on a company-wide basis for subscription model)

Also, make sure you are taking advantage of the Open Value VAR Rebate for any of these orders.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman
Microsoft Senior Manager, Community Engagement
US Partner Strategy, Marketing and Programs
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights