SQL Server in new version 2022

SQL Server price increase 

The first change is an increase in the price of SQL Server. With the release of the new version, Microsoft has announced that SQL Server pricing will increase by 10% starting January 1, 2023.

Making the new guide available

Microsoft has also made available a new SQL Server licensing guide, the Licensing guide and Licensing datasheet.

Major licensing changes

With the release of SQL Server 2022 also comes licensing changes, namely:

• Licensing of individual virtual machines with allocated computing power (at least 4 Cores per VM) is enabled under the new licensing rules, unlike in previous versions, only when purchasing Software Assurance/Software Subscription.
• SQL Server licenses with active Software Assurance or purchased as a software subscription are entitled to the benefit of flexible virtualization, which allows customers to use their licenses with any shared hardware from an authorized outsourcing provider.
• Customers with an active Software Assurance/Software Subscription can now use a managed instance of Azure SQL as their preferred backup server option in Azure for disaster recovery.

New licensing models

SQL Server 2022 brings with it a new pay-as-you-go SQL Server licensing model. Some of the new features include:

• Two-way high availability and disaster recovery;
• Azure Synapse integration;
• Integration with Azure Purview; 
• SQL Server Account Book;
• A new generation of integrated query intelligence.

Microsoft is trying to put pressure on both new and existing customers with the changes. Subscription services, including a product with Software Assurance coverage, are discounted by Microsoft. In contrast, the classic on-premise solution is facing a deterioration in licensing terms.

This disadvantage of on-premise licensing affects a large proportion of organisations coming from the Enterprise, SMB and GOV segments. This is because in most cases, organizations only require licensing coverage for a specific VM with a defined computing power, which is now only available as an SA benefit.

The new licensing terms thus bring not only the financial burden that comes with a 10% increase in the price of the basic license compared to the previous version of SQL Server, but also the financial burden in the form of the price of Software Assurance, which must be purchased under the current form of licensing. SA represents approximately 75% of the purchase price of the base license for a period of 3 years.

A detailed description of all changes to SQL Server licensing can be found here.