A tool that estimates the cost associated with legally utilizing Microsoft SQL Server in a given environment. This assessment takes into account various factors such as the number of physical cores on the server, the number of users accessing the database, and the specific edition of SQL Server required. For instance, a company deploying SQL Server on a server with 16 cores and requiring access for 50 users would input these details into the tool to determine the necessary license requirements and associated expenses.
Accurate determination of software licensing needs is paramount for budgetary planning and compliance. Overestimation leads to unnecessary expenditures, while underestimation can result in substantial penalties from software audits. The historical context reveals a shift from primarily per-server licensing models to more granular, core-based, and user-based models, necessitating such estimation tools to navigate the complexities of modern software licensing agreements effectively.