If you are an IT consultant outfitting a 15-person law firm, or a small business owner replacing an old server closet, you are looking at two options: Windows Server 2022 Standard and Windows Server 2022 Essentials. On paper, Essentials looks like a massive bargain. It is less than half the price of Standard, and it…
If you are setting up a Terminal Server or a VDI environment on Windows Server 2022, you already know you need a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL. But when you go to your software vendor, they hit you with another question: “Do you want the Device version or the User version?” Choosing the wrong one…
When a company moves from Microsoft 365 back to a perpetual volume license like Office LTSC Standard 2024, they usually bring their subscription habits with them. “I assigned the license to Sarah, so she can use Word on her laptop, her phone, and the terminal server, right?” Wrong. If you are treating Office LTSC like…
Microsoft Project is the gold standard for Gantt charts and waterfall project management. But when you go to buy a perpetual license (LTSC 2024), you are faced with a $600+ question: “Do I really need the Professional edition, or is Standard enough?” The price jump is significant. Project Standard usually retails around ~$700, while Professional…
Microsoft Visio is the industry standard for diagramming, but its pricing structure often leaves buyers scratching their heads. Visio Standard 2024 is a robust tool for basic charts. Visio Professional 2024 is a powerhouse for data-driven diagrams. The price difference? Nearly double. Here is how to decide if the upgrade is worth your budget. 1.…
The single most common question we get about Windows Server isn’t about features—it’s about math. “I bought a 16-Core Standard license. How many Virtual Machines (VMs) can I spin up before Microsoft asks for more money?” This guide breaks down the virtualization rules for Windows Server 2022, whether you are running Hyper-V, VMware, or Nutanix.…
If you are an IT administrator, you have likely stared at a Microsoft licensing quote and asked: “Why do I need two different types of CALs for the same user?” You are not alone. The distinction between a Windows Server User CAL and a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL is the single most common source…
SQL Server allows you to store data, but its licensing model seems designed to store confusion. In 2024, if you buy the wrong license type, you could overpay by tens of thousands of dollars – or worse, failing a compliance audit. This guide simplifies the two main licensing models for SQL Server 2022 Standard and…
One of the most common mistakes IT procurement managers make is defaulting to “Professional Plus” for everyone. “We want the best version, just to be safe,” they say. This safety net costs money. A lot of money. The price difference between Office LTSC Standard 2024 and Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 is significant (often ~30-40%…
In the world of defense (DoD), critical infrastructure, and high-security manufacturing, the internet is considered a threat vector. “Air-gapping”—physically isolating a network from the public internet—is the gold standard for security. But it is a nightmare for software management. Modern software craves a connection. It wants to call home for license activation, feature telemetry, and…
