OEM vs. Open License

I needed SBS 2008 Standard for 6 users. I was quoted a price of
$1011.00 on an Open License for the base license plus a 1-user CAL. Dell
will add an OEM license to a new server for about $650 plus $230 for a
5-user CAL pack. (1-user CALs are not offered on Dell's web site.) Why do
they make Open License so unattractive? It is very hard to convince my boss
that we should use Open License instead of OEM when the numbers are so
skewed in favor of OEM, even though I know well that OEM is inferior.

1. Why do you consider the OEM to be inferior? There is not much different except whether the trials (Onecare and Forefront) are part of it.
2. If you buy OEM you have to buy new hardware as well. That's where they make their money.
3. Did you talk to a Dell Rep about doing the hardware and Open License? How does the price come out then?

--
Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP]
Co-Contributor, Windows Small Business Server 2008 Unleashed
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Small-...7269967&sr=8-1
Owner, CPU Services, Belleville, IL
A Microsoft Registered Partner
------------------------------------
MVPs do not work for Microsoft
Please do not submit questions directly to me.

"Andrew M. Saucci, Jr." <spam-only@2000computer.com> wrote in message news:%23GJmGH6vJHA.6040@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
I needed SBS 2008 Standard for 6 users. I was quoted a price of
$1011.00 on an Open License for the base license plus a 1-user CAL. Dell
will add an OEM license to a new server for about $650 plus $230 for a
5-user CAL pack. (1-user CALs are not offered on Dell's web site.) Why do
they make Open License so unattractive? It is very hard to convince my boss
that we should use Open License instead of OEM when the numbers are so
skewed in favor of OEM, even though I know well that OEM is inferior.

OEM is tied to hardware. Open License is exactly that...Open. You can
install it on old hardware (as long as it is supported of course) or on a
different server if the original dies. You pay for that freedom.

Is that inferior? Not really. Less flexible, to be sure, but if you want
flexibility, you pay for it. That simple. So it really depends on how
tightly tied to the Dell server you purchase you want to be.

-Cliff


"Andrew M. Saucci, Jr." <spam-only@2000computer.com> wrote in message
news:#GJmGH6vJHA.6040@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> I needed SBS 2008 Standard for 6 users. I was quoted a price of
> $1011.00 on an Open License for the base license plus a 1-user CAL. Dell
> will add an OEM license to a new server for about $650 plus $230 for a
> 5-user CAL pack. (1-user CALs are not offered on Dell's web site.) Why do
> they make Open License so unattractive? It is very hard to convince my
> boss
> that we should use Open License instead of OEM when the numbers are so
> skewed in favor of OEM, even though I know well that OEM is inferior.
>
>