Vdi software licensing audit

Legacy 3tier data centers make deploying virtual desktops complex. As an exsoftware license auditor at kpmg specializing in microsoft licensing. In the event of a software audit, the organization must also be able to differentiate between software owned by the organization and software owned by the individual users. In fact, i think that licensing confusion is one big reason vdi never took off. It can tackle windows configuration with a wellplanned desktop audit. Microsoft windows virtual desktop easy to deploy, difficult to price. Solve the mystery of vdi licenses searchvirtualdesktop. I will say if you have pcs that are utilized for 1 thing, look into virtualizing it, not vdi, just hosted on a hypervisor.

Exploring the hidden license costs in application delivery and vdi. This occurs for a number of reasons, but not least due to the complexity of microsoft licensing programmes and the need to track license usage. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the shi blog. Theres a big problem with microsofts vdi rules the. No one is immune to microsofts software audits cio. There are many ways you might deliver software to endusers. Im hoping to do a survey and report on this in 2014, get its. Software license compliance why is software license compliance a concern. Software license management checklistkeeping score flexera. Teammates internal audit management software wolters kluwer.

Find answers to windows server 2016 vdi licensing considerations from the expert community at experts exchange. Vdi allows you to achieve better centralized network control and improve. This option may work out cheaper than vdi but could have more issues if applications dont like multiuser environments. Only question then would be if they cost more than what they saved you. Companies are turning to vmware to manage their virtualized environments. As an exsoftware license auditor at kpmg specializing in microsoft licensing, ive seen firsthand how organizations large and small misunderstand the licensing impacts of virtualizing their desktops. Moreover, the virtualization management option allows for risk mitigation through full transparency of virtual machines not being inventoried. Learn about how we are modifying our licensing terms related to outsourcing rights and dedicated hosted cloud services. Microsoft only offers sa to certain types of volume licensing programs, making vda a great alternative that offers similar sa. According to a recent report by the bsa software alliance, use of unlicensed software is down slightly, but remains widespread. Byod and the challenges of managing vdi and vda snow software. We have conducted a countywide software licenses audit. Apr 12, 2012 so the previous faq in the vdi suite section was fine to talk about the great partnership with citrix and their xendesktop vdi solution and microsofts vdi premium suite was a decent fit because it offered that full rds cal capabilities. Windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software.

Ive heard that its possible to license windows 10 w software assurance peruser now. Virtual desktop infrastructure what are the licensing. Citrix have been providing server, application and desktop virtualisation software since 1989. We have an average sized citrix xenappxendesktop environment looking at the license server we top at around 7k and we have way more license to cover for that. I am performing an audit of software licensing and am looking for a good working program.

In this environment, we want to run eight server vms that have no relation to vdi, 40 vdi vms and the supporting roles, vmware view manager, vmware view connection server, and so on. Most often we are seeing microsoft approach customers via email to conduct a selfaudit, but we also see the more invasive, thirdparty types of. This analysis focuses on the tangible costs quantifiable dollars spent. How to survive a software licensing audit informationweek. Vdi solves licensing issues by keeping the licensed software within an organizations own data center. To evaluate the current practices on the installation or use of commercial software packages, and determine whether employees are complying with the provisions of software licenses. If you are accessing a windows client operating system os as your guest os in the datacenter from a thin client, windows vda is the appropriate licensing vehicle. It had to pay for the vdi software plus had the same licensing costs. Further, microsoft windows workstation andor server licensing is required and may represent an additional cost. A good vdi design starts with understanding the target users requirements, setting proper user expectations and managing user perception. Licensing windows for vdi microsoft has announced changes to its licensing model for windowsbased desktops in a vdi environment, which will come into effect on july 1st, 2010. Snow presales expert, florian jorno explores the difficulties faced by organizations when it comes to licensing vdi implementations.

Study reveals more than half of companies have faced software audits within the past two years. Jan 06, 2012 one of my friends recently emailed me to clarify a point on potential implication of microsoft server licensing on vmware, in perticular with regards to vmotioning moving running vms amongst different physical esx servers. Among organizations with 10,000 or more employees, ibm took the numberfour spot, bumping oracle to number five, and moving sap off the topfive list. If youre talking virtual desktop infrastructure or vdi there are a few options vmware horizon view, microsoft. Recommended configuration for vdi desktops microsoft docs. Microsofts vda licensing is a strategic gambit techrepublic. This analysis focuses on the tangible costs quantifiable dollars. As an ex software license auditor at kpmg specializing in microsoft licensing. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi is a service that hosts users desktop environments on remote. Since microsoft outsources its software audits to the business software alliance bsa and microsoft software asset management consultants, it is essential for an organization to know how to create a defensible position. Microsoft audit letter announcement of a license compliance audit driven by microsoft ireland. All the above scenarios assumed that beyond the vda license there wouldnt be any problems with any other software, but unfortunately most of the time users will need more than just an empty desktop shell.

To take advantage of the vdi benefits, first you need to understand and be able to manage the rights for users to access the technology. That means if they did not purchase with software assurance, there is no option for them to use virtual desktops from a true licensing perspective. April 30, 2020 this is the last day of the grace period following april 2, 2020 that vmware is giving free licenses to customers who purchase physical servers with more than 32cores prior to this date below is an info graphic showing the current licensing model as. Globally, bsa estimates 37 percent of installed software is unlicensed. For the os licensing assuming standard you need to license every core in the physical server 16 core minimum purchase and this will grant you the ability to run two virtual instances on that hardware. Details of virtual servers and installed software can be imported into the asset repository in snow license manager, alongside physical audit information gathered from multiple inventory solutions. What is virtual desktop infrastructure vdi and how does it. Jan 28, 2014 the five vendors mostly likely to audit corporate software licenses are microsoft, adobe, autodesk, oracle, and sap, in that order. Software executed on these virtual machines is separated from the underlying hardware resources. In order to buy software assurance, i would need a volume licensing agreement. The main focus was on virtual desktop infrastructure and what are the licensing implications.

Well help you guide your customers through acquiring and deploying new software and cloud solutions. If you have purchased software assurance with your microsoft software, you may be able to take advantage of your existing microsoft volume licensing investments and move to the aws cloud without paying additional microsoft licensing fees. Byod and the challenges of managing vdi and vda itproportal. This means the desktop license itself windows 10 as an example must be enterprise and have active software assurance sa. January 25, 2016 toni preckwinkle the honorable toni. Microsoft licenses client access to vdi sessions through windows virtual desktop access vda. Im sure, start to appear in microsoft compliance checks and audits. Jul 01, 2010 avail of windows vda and windows client software assurance benefits today. In addition to initial procurement for vdi licensing, ongoing maintenance and support agreements affect the bottom line.

Although the windows 10 operating system is very well tuned out of the box, there are opportunities for you to refine it further specifically for the corporate microsoft virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. Audits can be useful, especially as confusing as licensing can be. If you are accessing a windows client os as your guest operating system in the datacenter from any nonsa device including thin clients, ipads, etc, windows vda is the appropriate licensing vehicle regardless of the vdi software vendor you choose. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi there are many scenarios where you would opt to not go the rds route and need your users to access a windows desktop operating system such as windows 7 or windows 8. These problems have been around for a lot longer than the current consumerization trend. The only scenario where you would not need windows vda is if you were using pcs covered under software assurance as the access devices, since virtual desktop access rights are included as a benefit of sa. And for that, you need to understand vda virtual desktop access licensing. Vmware changing cpu license model limits cores per.

Vdi also requires constant, goodbandwidth network connectivity between the endpoint devices and the backend servers, so its not a good fit if offline mobility is required or if branch. So, for all the windows server licenses bought through the volume licensing program, if those vms need to be freely moveble within an esx farm such as drs initiated vmotion, each esx host physical hardware need to be licensed for the worst case scenario aka. Samit asset management take control of deployed software, volume licensing, and internal governance to maximize roi, ensure compliance, and avoid an audit. Peak usage where all vms may end up running in 1 esx server hardware for example unless you can ensure this will never happen.

In the vdi environment, many background services and tasks are disabled from the beginning. Microsoft licensing for virtual desktops explained vdiworks. In this document, we have compiled a cost comparison of vdi solutions by leading vendors. Our vmware consulting services help you get the best out of your software investment. In this case depending on whether you are covered under software assurance sa or not, the licensing cost varies. Group policy edition, cloud edition, mdm edition and gp compliance reporter. Software license management checklistkeeping score. Microsoft is amongst one of the software vendors with the highest number of audits.

Ive never heard of a situation where even a large company could have them completely removed. The following restrictions on fpp licensing apply to vdi scenarios. Byod and the challenges of managing vdi and vda snow. Microsoft differentiates license and software assurance, metrics, product components, suites and restrictions. Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure hci integrates compute, virtualization, storage, networking, and security. I need to upgrade the vdi current vms to windows 10 and purchase additional licenses to provide a windows 10 vdi vm for the other 31 users who are currently only using their laptop. Commonplace software licensing audit triggers to avoid. View vdi desktop than there are purchased ccu licenses this is a common. And then there is no problem with using licensed software in the vce. Allowing you to scale nodes instead of disparate hardware devices. Software licensing for virtual desktop infrastructures and terminal. Microsoft licensing for vda and office sucks, but will it.

Im just going to talk about office here because of its ubiquity and for the sake of my sanity. Do i still need windows vda if i have vdi software from vmware or ctrix. Since vdi vda is a software assurance benefit, your customer must purchase their desktop os with software assurance to have vdi rights. We had kpmg lead a software audit for microsoft products. Virtual desktop infrastructure vdi checklist emilio valente and tim proffitt june 2009 1. Im buying vdi software from vmwarecitrixother vendor. Software licensing is a complex area, even in organisations with a relatively. Full package product licenses fpp may be purchased from retailers. The microsoft vdi product managers also made past presentations around this as well.

Im buying vdi software from vmware citrix another vendor. Jan 17, 2014 it can tackle windows configuration with a wellplanned desktop audit. This licensing quick guide aims to give you a basic understanding of citrix products, their license types and how to manage citrix licenses. Its important to assess the needs of the user demographic and ensure the solution meets their needs. April 2, 2020 this is the date when the new licensing change goes into effect with the 32core percpu licensing model. Vdi eliminates the requirement for licensing and tracking remotely. Wed also need 4 time more server hardware no difference in licensing, and a lot of new expensive software but possible a drop in user satisfaction. Software manufacturers take an active role pursuing licensing to the chagrin of some thought leaders in the it professionwho have referred to software licensing audit practices as an. Emerset helps enterprises like yours in software licensing, license. Examining software licensing models infotech research group.

Cost comparison real costs of vdi are hard to find out, hard to compare and hard to quantify tangibly. But do you know what vda and cal licensing is, and if its something you will. Organizations require a licensing arrangement that puts software in the hands of users who need it. Enterprise it organizations face software audits as a matter of doing business with large technology vendors. Our solutions help service providers diversify their offerings and create new recurring revenue streams. Whether purchasing large enterprise applications or desktop productivity suites, the software license an enterprise chooses can have a profound impact on the return on investment roi. Microsoft releases new faq doc to clarify vdi, vda, and rds. Even salespeople and customer service can benefit from having a say in. The license mobility benefit is available to microsoft customers with eligible server applications covered by active microsoft software assurance. If you are accessing a windows client operating system os as your guest os in. As the year comes to an end, spend time auditing your virtual desktops and planning for. Solved windows 10 licensing for vdi ms licensing spiceworks.

Used downgrade rights on the windows licenses through vlsc to get windows 7 pro on the vdi. Software asset management and license optimization solutions that can meet this set of requirements can help your organization maintain continuous license compliance, manage hardware and software assets from a financial perspective, and reduce ongoing costs for software licenses and maintenance. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the. Learn how the horizon universal license gives you the flexibility to deploy in the. If you recently went through an audit or just nervous about being notified, i outlined ten steps that service providers can take to arm themselves more efficiently and be compliant. The glossary presents 75 microsoft licensing terms. When a company is unaware of what software is installed and being used on its machines, it can result in multiple layers of exposure. For example, a computer that is running microsoft windows may host a virtual machine that looks like a computer with the ubuntu linux operating. Nov 21, 2012 easing the pain of a vmware audit november 21, 2012 vmware audit, licensing, powercli, scripted ed grigson i recently had to complete an external audit of our vmware estate and thought it might be useful to others to know what the process entails, what youll need to provide to the auditors, and a few issues that i wasnt aware of. Dec 10, 2015 this licensing quick guide aims to give you a basic understanding of citrix products, their license types and how to manage citrix licenses. Learn more about the licensing model for policypak products. It can tackle windows configuration with a wellplanned.

Feb 19, 2012 these licensing issues are pretty screwy, but all of the above scenarios assume that the users want to be accessing desktops and desktop software. Windows server 2016 vdi licensing considerations solutions. Vdi solutions are generally complex to implement and have high capital expenditures because of the cost of highend server hardware and software licensing. Heres a look at what you should and shouldnt do when you get that software licensing audit notice. Our software then helps enhance network functionality and security. The five vendors mostly likely to audit corporate software licenses are microsoft, adobe, autodesk. Provision virtual or remote desktops and applications through a single vdi. Info windows 10 license clarifications vmware communities. Apr, 2016 in the event of a software audit, the organization must also be able to differentiate between software owned by the organization and software owned by the individual users. Virtualization can involve complex technical and software licensing issues. How it departments can prepare for a software license audit. Explore software licensing and cloud enablement programs from insight.

Dear president preckwinkle and board of commissioners. Apr 28, 2010 examples of vmware view licensing in action lets say we have a small environment that has six vmware esx4 hosts, each with two cpus. Jan 01, 2016 i only see value if software company tries to bill you for punitive damages or something, then lawyer might be able to help. From a sam point of view, however, vdi introduces a whole new level of complexity in terms of software licensing. While there is nothing a customer can do to change its software providers audit policies, organizations should do their best to avoid licensing audit triggers. Hardware virtualization or platform virtualization refers to the creation of a virtual machine that acts like a real computer with an operating system. A software licensing audit or software compliance audit is an important subset of software asset management and component of corporate risk management. How it departments can prepare for a software license audit as revenue for new software licenses is down, software vendors are focusing more on licensing audits to recover some of that lost income. Dec 18, 2018 although the windows 10 operating system is very well tuned out of the box, there are opportunities for you to refine it further specifically for the corporate microsoft virtual desktop infrastructure vdi environment. Apr 23, 20 for those of you who were lucky enough to join is in sunny southampton for the windows 8 it pro camp last week, you would have had the opportunity to speak to our licensing guru vicky lea.