Microsoft Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) – Explained

Microsoft Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE)

What is SCE?

The Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) is a licensing program under the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA). Hence, it allows organizations to standardize on one or more Microsoft Server and Cloud technologies while receiving enhanced value and simplified management.

To participate in SCE, customers make an installed base–wide commitment to at least one SCE component (such as System Center or Windows Server). Therefore, this means maintaining full Software Assurance (SA) coverage for all licenses within that component.

Key Features of SCE:

• Commitment-based discounts:
  • 15% off Licenses and Software Assurance (L&SA) products
  • 5% off Software Assurance (SA) products
• Subscription flexibility:
  Offers both perpetual and subscription-based licensing options, enabling flexibility when retiring workloads or migrating to the cloud.
• Azure management rights:
  Customers committing to the Core Infrastructure Suite (CIS) receive System Center rights to manage Microsoft Azure virtual machines and resources at no extra cost.
• Software Assurance benefits:
  Includes License Mobility for eligible applications, supporting seamless cloud migrations.

What are the key benefits of SCE?

The SCE provides a standardized, cloud-enabled licensing foundation for Microsoft Server and Cloud technologies, offering three main advantages:

1. Cloud Enablement
   • Flexible terms for Microsoft Azure
   • License Mobility through Software Assurance
   • System Center benefits for managing Azure environments
   • Subscription and perpetual license options—all within one agreement
2. Standardization
   • Encourages consistency across deployments
   • Provides access to the latest Microsoft technologies through Software Assurance
   • Helps align IT environments for improved performance and compatibility
3. Simplified Management
   • Streamlines licensing administration
   • Simplifies planning and compliance
   • Makes it easier to adapt as organizational needs evolve

• Here’s a clear and professional continuation of your SCE (Server and Cloud Enrollment) FAQ, expanding on the License Mobility benefits and introducing the “How SCE Works”
• Benefits of License Mobility
• License Mobility under the Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) provides customers with the flexibility to deploy eligible server applications on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment — all while maintaining compliance and maximizing Software Assurance benefits.
• The following table outlines License Mobility benefits across SCE components:

Comparison Chart with Benefits

SCE Component	Included Products	License Mobility Benefits
Core Infrastructure (CIS)	– CIS Datacenter- CIS Standard	Enables mobility and management of virtualized environments, including Microsoft Azure virtual machines, without additional licensing costs.
Application Platform	– SQL Server Enterprise (Per Core)- SQL Server Standard (Per Core or Server + CAL)- SQL Server CAL- BizTalk Server- SharePoint Server	Allows customers to reassign licenses to cloud environments such as Azure or qualified third-party shared servers, supporting hybrid and scalable deployments.
Developer Platform	– Visual Studio	Provides flexibility for development and testing across on-premises and cloud-based environments, ensuring consistency in DevOps and CI/CD pipelines.
Azure	– All Microsoft Azure cloud services*	Enables seamless integration and management between on-premises infrastructure and Azure services, maximizing the value of existing investments.

• License Mobility through Software Assurance applies to eligible server applications as defined by Microsoft’s License Mobility terms.
• How Does SCE Work?
• Enrolling in the Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) requires organizations to make a commitment to one or more Microsoft Server and Cloud components across their installed base. In exchange, they receive discounts, enhanced benefits, and simplified license management.

Key Requirements:

• Commit to at least one SCE component:
• Components include Core Infrastructure Suite (CIS), Application Platform, Developer Platform, or Azure.
• Maintain active Software Assurance (SA) coverage:
• Full SA coverage is required across the installed base for each enrolled component.
• Choose licensing options:
• Select between perpetual licenses (for long-term ownership) or subscription licenses (for flexibility and scalability).
• Sign the SCE Enrollment under an Enterprise Agreement (EA):
• SCE operates as an enrollment under the EA, leveraging its contract structure and terms.
• Ongoing Benefits:
• Simplified administration through standardization across products
• Flexible Azure usage and management rights with System Center
• Cost savings via built-in license and Software Assurance discounts
• Cloud readiness, enabling seamless migration or hybrid deployment

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How Does SCE Work?

To participate in the Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE), customers must sign a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA). However, it’s important to note that an Enterprise Enrollment for Desktop is not required to qualify for SCE.

Key Requirements

1. Enterprise Agreement:
   SCE operates as an enrollment under the EA but functions independently from the Enterprise Enrollment for Desktop.
2. Annuity Coverage:
   100% Software Assurance (SA) or Subscription coverage is required across your installed base for each product family you commit to.
   This includes any licenses not previously covered by Software Assurance before entering the SCE program.

When You Enroll in SCE

• Renew existing SA:
  Licenses with continuous Software Assurance coverage can be renewed under SCE at a discount.
• Upgrade older licenses:
  Licenses without Software Assurance can be transitioned by subscribing to the latest version of the product.
• Add incremental licenses:
  Additional licenses purchased during the agreement term are eligible for price savings on Licenses and Software Assurance (L&SA).

Will I Benefit from SCE?

SCE is ideal for organizations that want to:

• Standardize on Microsoft Server and Cloud products across their enterprise.
• Obtain Microsoft’s best pricing by committing to standardization.
• Access the latest product versions through active Software Assurance.
• Maintain predictable and consistent pricing for the agreement term.
• Enjoy flexibility by combining perpetual ownership and subscription options.
• Reduce maintenance and administrative costs through license simplification.

Is There a Benefit to Committing to Multiple Components in an SCE?

Yes — while each component commitment brings its own set of benefits, there is no additional cumulative discount for adding multiple components.

However, making multiple commitments provides value through:

• Greater standardization and simplification of Server and Cloud licensing management.
• Consolidation of all Microsoft Server and Cloud technologies under a single, streamlined enrollment.
• Access to the specific benefits of each component you commit to (e.g., CIS, Application Platform, Developer Platform, Azure).

In summary, each component delivers its own incremental advantages, and managing them together enhances administrative efficiency.

If I Have Existing Licenses Without Software Assurance, How Should I Add Those into the SCE Agreement?

For any licensed deployments of products required under your SCE commitment that do not currently have Software Assurance, you have two options at signing:

1. Add them as Subscription licenses — providing access to the most current version for the term of the agreement.
2. Add them as L&SA (License + Software Assurance) — granting perpetual rights along with active Software Assurance benefits.

Both methods ensure that your entire installed base is compliant with the SCE commitment requirements and eligible for ongoing discounts and benefits.

Would you like me to now add the “SCE Components Overview” section next (covering the Core Infrastructure Suite, Application Platform, Developer Platform, and Azure commitments)?
That section naturally follows this content and completes the FAQ package.

Excellent — you’ve now provided the complete set of details for the Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) FAQ, including the specific minimum footprint by product, savings, Azure prepayment, subscription options, cloud management benefits, and customer eligibility.

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What Is the Minimum Footprint by Product?

Each SCE component has a defined minimum commitment, or “footprint,” that must be met to qualify for enrollment. These minimums ensure enterprise-wide standardization and eligibility for associated discounts and benefits.

SCE Component	Minimum Footprint Requirement	Details
Core Infrastructure	400 Core Licenses for Core Infrastructure Server Suites — Standard or Datacenter (either edition or any combination of both)	Must cover at least 400 cores across the Windows Server installed base. Includes System Center management rights through CIS.
Application Platform	SQL Server: 50 SQL Server per core or 5 SQL Server per server with 250 CALsBizTalk Server: 24 cores of any editionSharePoint Server: 5 servers	SQL Server coverage is mandatory if any Application Platform product is selected. Other applications (BizTalk, SharePoint) may be added once the SQL Server footprint requirement is met.
Developer Platform	20 licenses of any combination of Visual Studio Enterprise and MSDN Platforms	Designed for enterprise-scale developer teams; licenses may be combined in any ratio to meet the 20-license minimum.
Microsoft Azure	If Azure is the only SCE component: 10 Monetary Commitment units per monthIf combined with other components: 1 Monetary Commitment unit per month	Azure Monetary Commitment enables prepaid or pay-as-you-go consumption of Azure services under the Enterprise Agreement.

How Much Will I Save Through the SCE?

The SCE provides significant cost savings compared to transactional or standalone licensing:

• 15% discount on Licenses and Software Assurance (L&SA)
• 5% discount on Software Assurance (SA) only

Therefore, these discounts apply to both renewals and new purchases under the SCE.

What Is a Monetary Commitment in the SCE, and What Are the Benefits?

The Azure Monetary Commitment (also called Azure Prepayment) allows organizations to prepay for eligible Azure services and Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances (RIs) under the Enterprise Agreement.

You can choose between two options:

1. Prepaid Prepayment:
   All funds are paid upfront and available for use until the enrollment expiration date.
2. Annual Prepayment Commitment:
   Funds are made available annually, from one anniversary date to the next.

Benefits of Azure Prepayment:

• Creates budget predictability and cost control for cloud spending.
• Simplifies billing and forecasting for Azure consumption.
• Available under all Enterprise Enrollments, including SCE.

For more information, visit:
👉 Microsoft Learn – Review Your Enterprise Agreement Bill

How Is Subscription Different from Traditional Licenses and Software Assurance (L&SA)?

Hence, SCE offers subscription-based and perpetual licensing options for eligible components.

Option	Description	Flexibility
Subscription License	Pay for the right to use the software during the agreement term.	Can reduce license quantities annually if workloads are retired, consolidated, or migrated to the cloud.
Perpetual License (L&SA)	Own the software permanently, with Software Assurance benefits during the term.	Provides long-term ownership and rights to continue using software after the term ends.

Therefore, this flexibility allows you to mix subscription and perpetual licenses within a component, based on workload or budget needs.

Can I Purchase a Subscription for New Units?

Yes.
When signing your SCE or completing an annual true-up, you may choose to:

• Add new units as subscription licenses, or
• Add new units as perpetual licenses (L&SA).

Therefore, this flexibility allows you to align license types with your organization’s deployment strategy and financial planning.

What Are the “Cloud Management Benefits” for System Center and Microsoft Azure?

Hence, organizations that commit to the Core Infrastructure Suite (CIS) gain System Center rights to manage Azure resources at no additional cost.

Management Entitlement

For every 16 CIS Suite Core Licenses (or 1 CIS Suite Processor License) covered by SCE, you may manage up to 10 qualifying virtual operating system environments (OSEs) in Azure.

Qualifying Azure OSEs Include:

• Windows Server Virtual Machine Instances (including those deployed under Azure Hybrid Use Benefit)
• Cloud Services instances (Web Role and Worker Role)
• Storage Accounts
• SQL Databases
• Azure Websites instances

Additionally, this benefit enables unified management across hybrid cloud environments using System Center.

Is SCE Available to Government Customers?

Yes.
SCE is available to both commercial and government customers.

However, education customers are not eligible for SCE and should continue using the Education Server Platform (ESP) available within the Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES). Therefore, ESP remains the recommended option for educational institutions seeking simplified server licensing.

How Do I Enroll in the SCE?

To enroll in the Server and Cloud Enrollment, contact your Microsoft Account Manager or authorized channel partner. They can help assess your current environment, identify eligible components, and complete the enrollment process.

Where Can I Find More Information on SCE?

For complete documentation and current program details, visit:
👉 Microsoft Learn – Server and Cloud Enrollment Overview

Additionally, an alternative to a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement due to the requirements is a Microsoft CSP Agreement.  CSP agreements are a part of the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider.  Therefore, they offer massive discounts including major flexibility. The only Microsoft CSP and Microsoft Partner to be able to offer 30-40% off all Microsoft Licensing is Technology Solutions Worldwide.

GET A QUOTE – INFO@TECHSOLWORLD.COM or (770)580-4220.