Microsoft told ComputerWire yesterday support for server partitioning in eight products, to be added next month, is designed to help customers save money.

However, Microsoft renewed its commitment to the very software model that last year ignited a massive user backlash. The company called its annuity-based Licensing 6.0 and Software Assurance (SA) a good business model for customers.

Microsoft will introduce support for server partitioning on April 1. Products affected are SQL Server 2000, BizTalk Server 2002, Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000, Commerce Server 2002, Content Management Server2002, Host Integration Server 2000, Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 and Application Center.

The changes mean customers will be able to reduce the number of copies of a Microsoft license required to run the products. Currently, customers must buy a license for each CPU in a server regardless of whether the processor actually runs the software

In the case of SQL Server 2000, for example, a license costs $19,000 per processor. On a typical eight-way box, without volume discount, a customer would need to pay $152,000.

Gartner Group research director Alvin Park, who this week disclosed Microsoft’s planned changes, called support for partitioning one of a series of small steps to re-build trust of customers lost thanks to Licensing 6.0.

Rebecca LaBrunerie, Microsoft product manager for worldwide licensing and pricing, said yesterday customers are being presented with the opportunity to save a lot of money with support for partitioning. Asked whether Microsoft is attempting to win back customers, La Brunerie replied: I would agree with that.

Customers alienated by Licensing 6.0 are investigating rival server and desktop products from Sun Microsystems Inc, Ximian Inc, Corel Corp and Novell Inc among others. These companies’ are in turn attempting to attract customers on cost and return on investment.

LaBrunerie said: We are hoping to get more sales because of the way we license [the eight] products.

Inspite of alienating users, La Brunerie defended Licensing 6.0 – a program she believes is not structurally wrong or more expensive for users than Licensing 5.0. Instead she believes Microsoft could have done a better job launching Licensing 6.0 and preparing customers.

The business model for SA is a good business model, we didn’t transition into it very effectively, she said. We are now in a steady state where we are looking at what customers need.

Source: Computerwire