Put together the perfect licensing for your business with CALs from Wiresoft

The Microsoft licensing model for server software is complex and not always easy to understand. For customers, the correct licensing of Exchange Server with CALs is therefore often a challenge. The following explanations provide an overview of all the options available with client-based licensing and answer the most common questions about the correct licensing of an Exchange Server version with CALs. In the Wiresoft Online-Shop you will find not only access licenses, but also the corresponding server licenses - from the older 2010 version to the current 2019 version.

FAQs about licensing Microsoft Exchange Server with CALs

Exchange Server, the powerful e-mail management software, unlike other server software from Microsoft, can only be used in combination with a server license plus a variable number of client access licenses. Only with both licenses you can use the Exchange Server services.

Not included in Exchange Server is Microsoft Outlook, which is recommended as client software for the desktop application and which you may need to purchase separately if you are not already using Outlook, which is available in the Office.

What are the special features of the licensing system with CALs?

Microsoft License Management separates the licensing of a server from that of its users. Here, so-called Client Access Licenses regulate the differentiated usage rights for the Exchange Server, since these not only enable server access but also the respective associated services.

A prerequisite for access via CAL is always the implementation of the corresponding server license of the same software. This combination is usually referred to as server/CAL licensing.

The client access license thus provides pure access rights in a client/server environment, but does not require the prior installation of software.

How is the Microsoft licensing model for Exchange Server structured?

The Microsoft Exchange Server versions 2010 - 2019 are each available in two editions: Standard and Enterprise, for each of which a separate server license must be purchased; these differ primarily in terms of the scalability of mailbox requirements:

• The Standard allows the administration of up to 5 mailbox databases - this is usually already sufficient for the requirements of small and medium-sized companies.
• The Enterprise Edition allows the administration of up to 100 mailbox databases - thus covering the requirements of large companies and organizations.

What are the differences between Standard and Enterprise CALs for Exchange Server?

A further difference between Exchange Server Standard and Enterprise is the additional functions and the range of functions, which also includes the possibility of individual settings. However, you cannot use these features with the server license of an edition, but only with the respective client access license.

This means that with a Standard you can in principle also use the Enterprise edition of Exchange - but then only the smaller number of mailbox databases is available to you, as is the limited Standard.

If you own an Enterprise CAL, you can use the Standard of Exchange Server with the full range of functions of the Enterprise Edition (but not the number of mailbox databases available with it). The Enterprise CAL instead of the Standard for Exchange is an add-on, so to speak.

This variable use of access licenses for the individual editions of Exchange Server allows users or companies to use even the typical functions and services of the Enterprise Edition without their maximum scalability of mailbox databases. Thus, smaller companies or individuals can save money when purchasing a license if the combination of Standard and Enterprise Access License meets all their needs.

How does version compatibility of CALs work?

With each CAL for a particular version of Exchange Server, you also acquire the right to use an older version of the software - called backward compatibility or downgrade. For example, with an Exchange Server 2019 Client Access License, you can also use Exchange 2016 or 2010 as long as the corresponding server software is deployed.

The reverse is not possible: If you have a CAL for Exchange 2016, for example, you cannot use the next higher version 2019 - also known as an upgrade.

What types of CALs are available for Exchange servers?

The Client Access License is a single license that gives either a specific user the right to use the Exchange Server - the so-called User CAL - or a defined single Windows device - the Device CAL. This differentiation also means that it is not possible to transfer the usage rights to another user or another terminal device, nor to change the type. These restrictions prevent unauthorized persons inside or outside a company from accessing server data, thus providing additional protection.

What are the differences between User CALs and Device CALs?

In principle, there is no difference in functionality between user and device client access licenses, as long as both are valid for the same Exchange Edition. However, there are some differences in the respective advantages offered by the two types of CAL. These are mainly reflected in the type of server access and the number of users.

Companies can differ in the use of workstations and workflows depending on the department: While a single user regularly accesses the Exchange Server for certain tasks, such as sending e-mails to groups and coordinating appointments, and uses completely different devices, elsewhere several employees share a single computer in shifts or only retrieve their e-mails irregularly. Below is a brief overview or the advantages of the types of use.

What are the typical advantages associated with User CAL?

Because a user access license is only bound to a specific person and not to a specific device, the person is free to decide where and with which device he or she wants to access the Exchange server - provided that access is made from a single Windows device.

The user CAL thus has the advantage of mobile use compared to the device-dependent CAL, since it is not locally bound. As long as the licensed user has access to the Internet, he or she can use Exchange both inside and outside a company, e.g. on a business trip or in the home office.

What are the typical advantages of Device CAL?

The advantages of Device CAL as an exclusively device-based license are evident, for example, in corporate structures where the use of a PC for sending e-mails or planning meetings is rare or irregular, for example, when a user has little customer contact or generally does not use a computer all the time.

With Device CAL, too, the end device can be chosen completely freely before licensing - provided it can perform the necessary Windows. Access to the Exchange Server can thus be local, in the company or on the road.

The device access license is therefore the more economical licensing solution if the Exchange functions are not permanently used by an individual, so that it is not necessary to equip them with a personalized CAL.

Device CAL or User CAL - or both?

The different CALs thus enable every organization to provide rights management for the Exchange Server services as needed. The combination of Device CALs and User CALs is also possible. It is best to get an overview of the type and number of Device and User CALs you need before you make a purchase decision. Simply contact us for individual licensing advice on the use of Exchange Server in your company.

All important facts about server/CAL licensing for Exchange Server at a glance

Below is a brief summary of all the important details involved in purchasing CALs for Exchange Server:

• The basis is always the licensing of your server. This Exchange Server license includes access rights for administrators - but only to manage the server services.
• Each employee needs a client access license - CAL, which entitles him to use the Exchange Server services and features.
• CALs for the Enterprise Edition have an extended feature set compared to CALs for the Standard.
• The CAL is issued once as a User CAL (for an individual) or as a Device CAL (for a specific device).
• CALs cannot subsequently be transferred to another person or persons or to another or more mobile devices.
• The CAL type cannot be changed either: a Device CAL cannot be used as a User CAL - and vice versa.
• However, it is possible to combine both CAL types to use Exchange Server.
• Server license and client access license must have the same Exchange version. However, you can use a CAL for a specific Exchange Server version to access (downgrade) a server licensed with a lower version (until 2010).
• The reverse case (upgrade) is not possible with CALs.

For which Exchange Server editions can you find CALs in the Wiresoft Online-Shop?

The following overview shows you for which Exchange Server editions you can purchase Enterprise and Standard from Wiresoft:

License purchase of incl. license consulting for Exchange Server at Wiresoft

At Wiresoft you will find all corresponding CALs for users as well as end devices for the Exchange Server versions 2019 to 2010, as well as the corresponding server licenses - and all this at a very reasonable price! All CALs are also available as particularly practical single licenses, so that you can cover your need for access licenses for Exchange servers in a customized and economical way.

With all our software products you benefit from a lower price compared to the usual retail price for Microsoft software. We also pass on to you the price advantage of unused CALs from European companies. The access licenses offered in the Wiresoft Shop are fully operational original Microsoft programs and access licenses, which you can use without any restrictions. When buying software from Wiresoft you do not take any risk and you can also make use of our competent advice on CALs and other questions. Just contact us by phone, e-mail or chat.