| Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the packaging, pricing and licensing changes for Windows Server 2016 and System Center 2016 Standard and Datacenter Editions. Pricing and Licensing will be available on the web on the Windows Server 2016 page and the System Center 2016 page, along with datasheets and an extensive Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet.With the 2016 release, Microsoft is changing the Windows Server and System Center license model from processors to physical cores. The change to physical cores aligns private and public cloud licensing to a consistent currency of cores that simplifies licensing of hybrid use cases. The core based licensing model will become effective when the products are released in CY2016_Q3. Licenses for servers with 8 cores or less per processor will be the same prices as the 2012 R2 two-processor license price. Customers with processor licenses with Software Assurance (SA) can upgrade to the 2016 version. At the end of the SA term, the 2 processor licenses will be exchanged for a minimum of 16 core licenses and customers can renew their SA on the core licenses.We are sharing this information about this change with you well in advance of the CY2016_Q3 change so that you can work together with Microsoft and our End Customers on a smooth transition.
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