Switching between Device and User CALs

By: Lacey Hartje

Summary: With the consumerization of IT, and the proliferation of devices in the workplace, it is now as important as ever that the licensing model you use is delivering the most value to your business.  Our volume licensing programs can offer the flexibility and improved manageability to ensure your CAL licensing model is optimally matched with your organization’s needs.  If your business needs change and you want to switch from your current method of Client Access Licensing (CAL) there is an opportunity to switch from Device to User CALs or vice versa.  That opportunity comes when you renew Software Assurance (SA) on your CALs.   

Let’s say your Company chose license access to server software with Device Client Access Licenses (CALs) in the early days of the business because Device CALs made economic sense as you had more employees than devices. By licensing devices, you were guaranteed that all access to the server software was properly licensed and this was the most cost effective solution.

Now let’s fast-forward a few years.  Your devices outnumber your employees.  Put another way, each employee now has multiple devices; a PC, a laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone and you want them to be able to access your server software with ALL of these devices.  The most cost effective licensing solution for this scenario is to license client access by User CALs.

If this mix between users and devices exists in your organization it’s a likely indication that you should consider switching from Device CALs to User CALs as it is more cost effective and applicable for your business needs. 

How is this accomplished?  Here are the key steps you’ll need to take:

• First, confirm that your CALs are covered by active Software Assurance (SA). 
• Second, the switch is made ONLY at the time of SA renewal on the CALs.  This licensing situation is outlined in the Product List.  If you’re searching the Product List for this text, it’s called transitioning between User and Device CALs.

Client Access License (CAL) Decision Tool

In closing, volume licensing and active software assurance can give you the flexibility to switch between User and Device based CALs upon renewal of your SA coverage.  Refer to the current Product List, contact our Pre-Sales/Licensing customer service team, or work with your reseller or account team if you have additional questions.

This is one scenario, and licensing situation. Each customer scenario can vary by deployment, usage, product version, and product use rights. Always check your contract, and the current Products Use Rights document to confirm how your environment should be fully licensed. The blogging team does not warrant that this scenario will be the right licensing solution for other similar cases.