How To Track SBS Licenses
The Sticky Note Method
SBS licensing can be a bit confusing. The base product comes with 5 licenses which are not set by the installation program as either device or user. So what to do?
I do not know who first postulated this, but I think it is a great way to think about SBS licenses and keeping track of how many of each you own and are using. All you need is your license documents and a pad or two of sticky notes.
The base installation comes with 5 licenses, which you can designate any way you wish, all five as one kind or 4 and 1, etc. As your system grows, you can purchase additional licenses in 5 or 20 packs sold as either device or user.For the first five, and whenever you purchase a package of SBS licenses create a sticky note for each license in the group. Perhaps yellow for users and pink for devices. Each time you identify a user, put a yellow sticky on his/her forehead. Each time you id a device, put a pink sticky on the device.
When you run out of sticky notes, you should purchase additional licenses of that type/color. When you retire a user or a device, move the sticky note to the replacement.
That's all there is to it. Of course, most SBS organizations won't go around with sticky notes on the foreheads of their employees, but this is an easy way to remember how the licenses are used and counted.
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