Small Business Server OEM's as "Distributors"
In some cases Small Business Server hardware OEMs
take the place of Small Business Server distributors. Computer resellers
and systems integrators purchase the server hardware bundled with Small Business Server
and then subsequently resell the Small Business Server bundled offering to
their small business clients.
In other cases Small Business Server OEMs takes the
place of both the distributor and the computer reseller or systems
integrator . In this situation, the small business end user purchases the
server hardware bundled with Small Business Server directly from the
hardware vendor, effectively bypassing both the distributor and the computer
reseller or systems integrator.
With Small Business Server 4.0, Small Business Server
OEMs were able to bundle a special 10 CAL Small Business Server 4.0 SKU
with their server hardware. However, that was the only SKU available for
hardware bundling.
Under Small Business Server 4.5, Small Business Server
OEMs still have one special SKU available; however, it now only contains 5
CALs. Microsoft felt that this would still allow Small Business Server
OEMs to attract and service many clients through the attractive relative
pricing of Small Business Server 4.5, while leaving more room for computer
resellers and systems integrators to be actively involved in reselling
additional 5 and 20 CAL add-on packs for Small Business Server 4.5.
Some of the Small Business Server OEMs who have
bundled Small Business Server include:
-
Dell
-
Gateway
-
HP/Compaq
-
NEC
Other
Options Besides Small Business Server OEM's
Smaller system assemblers and Small Business Server
OEMs, many of whom are also computer resellers and systems integrators,
can bundle Small Business Server with their “white box” server
offerings through the Microsoft OEM System Builder Program. There are a
variety of benefits to participating in this program, including very low
volume commitments.
Small Business Server also became part of the Microsoft Open License
program. This provides computer resellers and systems integrators and
their small business customers’ increased licensing flexibility for Small Business Server
and most other Microsoft products. In many cases, the Open License program
also reduces the acquisition and asset management costs of software
licensing.
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