Used SharePoint Server CALs
Used, legal, affordable: SharePoint Server CAL from Soft & Cloud
Microsoft's licensing policy stipulates that at least one SharePoint Server CAL (User CAL or Device CAL) is required for use in addition to the SharePoint Server licence. A SharePoint Server CAL (Client Access Licence) enables a user or device to access and use the server and the services provided. With used SharePoint Server CALs from Soft & Cloud, companies can permanently reduce their IT costs without restrictions or other disadvantages. Legal, audit-proof and cost-effective.
What exactly is a SharePoint Server CAL?
Access to a SharePoint server by a client is licensed via Client Access Licences (CALs). A CAL is assigned to either a device (e.g. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 Device CAL) or a user (e.g. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 User CAL) and - depending on the variant - enables the use of the basic functions of SharePoint or the entire range of functions.
Access licences are version-specific, i.e. the version of a user or device CAL must correspond to the version of the server software used (SharePoint Server 2019 and SharePoint Server 2019 User CAL). Licensing of an earlier server version is also permitted: a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 User CAL (for the current server version) therefore also authorises access to a SharePoint Server 2016.
In addition to individual licences, Microsoft also offers bundles of access licences for various server applications, such as the Core CAL Suite with Server CALs for Exchange, SharePoint, Skype Server, Windows Server CAL and Software Assurance (SA). They are versionless and can therefore also be used to access new server versions.
Functions and features
Microsoft SharePoint is a web application with which companies can quickly and easily create and host internal websites for the exchange of information and for cross-location digital collaboration, e.g. intranet applications, team or project-specific sites. All digital content (texts, documents, tables, images, technical drawings, videos, etc.) is stored centrally on the SharePoint server and organised, structured and edited individually via sites. The sites can be supplemented and expanded with wikis, blogs, etc., and responsibilities and deadlines can also be defined and tracked.
SharePoint offers an enterprise content management system that integrates natively with other Microsoft applications (e.g. Teams). With just a few clicks of the mouse, individual sites can be created from Microsoft Teams, for example, which serve as a central point of contact for team members to share or collaborate on content.
Advantages of SharePoint Server 2019
The current version of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 has replaced the previous version SharePoint Server 2016. Compared to the previous versions 2016 and 2013, SharePoint Server 2019 offers numerous new and improved functions. For example, the use of digital content in websites has been significantly simplified and the user interface has been modernised.
The new SharePoint home page offers every user standardised access to their own websites, online and locally, as well as a better user experience on mobile devices. Collaboration and communication between teams has also been optimised in the current SharePoint version. Last but not least, restrictions such as the maximum file size or file path length have been relaxed in SharePoint Server 2019 to make it easier to synchronise content on your own storage media with SharePoint.
Microsoft will continue to provide SharePoint Server 2019 with free patches and updates until at least mid-2026. This means that the latest version of Microsoft SharePoint offers companies additional security - both in terms of cost-effectiveness and data protection. Companies can purchase the required licences for the SharePoint server and access licences second-hand and at a reasonable price from Soft & Cloud - with secure licence transfer repeatedly certified by TÜVIT. Soft & Cloud fulfils all the requirements that the ECJ laid down in its 2012 landmark ruling for the resale of software.
When purchasing a used licence, you have the same rights as buyers who purchase their licences directly from Microsoft. This means that with a current SharePoint Server 2019 CAL, you can also access older versions of SharePoint and use its functions. Conversely, you cannot use successor versions (SharePoint Server 2016 or 2019) with SharePoint Server 2013 CALs, for example, but require CALs that correspond to at least the version of the SharePoint server.
What is the difference between a SharePoint User CAL and a SharePoint Device CAL?
A Client Access Licence, or CAL for SharePoint for short, enables access to a SharePoint server and the use of server services on a client. The access licence is either valid for one user, who can then access the SharePoint server from all devices (mobile and local), or for a defined device (e.g. a workstation), regardless of the user.
The use of user CALs is always recommended when employees work on different devices, both in the office and on the move. Each access licence is then linked to a user stored in the system and enables users to access the SharePoint server with different clients, for example from the home office.
Device CALs for SharePoint are useful where different employees share a workstation. The licence then authorises this device to access the SharePoint server, regardless of which user logs on to it.
In most companies, both user and device CALs are used in order to be able to use SharePoint as flexibly as possible and at the same time limit the overall licence costs. If you are not sure how many and which access licences are required for your company to make optimum use of SharePoint Server, the Soft & Cloud licensing consultants will be happy to advise you. We will determine your specific requirements and provide you with a customised quote on request.
What is the difference between SharePoint Standard and Enterprise?
SharePoint CALs are available in two variants (Standard and Enterprise). With a Standard CAL for SharePoint, the basic functions of the platform can be used, i.e. a central infrastructure for all company websites, communities as an integrated platform for collaboration, an intuitive enterprise content management system for all content and a convenient person and expert search with visual preview and visual suggestions.
An additional Enterprise CAL for SharePoint makes it possible to utilise the entire range of SharePoint functions without restrictions. In addition to the functions that can be used with a standard CAL, the Enterprise version offers advanced search functions (video search, recommendations) as well as standard search functions plus entity extraction. There are also enterprise solutions (with Access Service and InfoPath Services) and business intelligence (with Power View, PerformancePoint services, Excel and Visio services).
The SharePoint Enterprise CAL is additive, i.e. to access functions of the Enterprise version of SharePoint, both a Standard CAL and an additional Enterprise CAL are required (per user or device), which leads to significantly higher IT costs for a larger number of users or devices. With used SharePoint Server CALs from Soft & Cloud, you can simply save yourself excessive licence fees and reduce your IT costs.
Conclusion: With used SharePoint Server CALs, companies can save on expensive access licences
Used software is not subject to wear and tear and does not wear out. That's why Soft & Cloud provides you with used licences for Microsoft SharePoint Server and other Microsoft products that are no different in quality to new licences purchased from Microsoft. Compared to the list prices, however, you can save up to 70 % of the investment costs with used software - simply and securely.
Soft & Cloud is one of the leading providers of used software and was the first used software dealer to offer a licence transfer certified by TÜVIT. We have now received the TÜVIT seal for the fifth time in a row as proof that our transfer processes fulfil the highest compliance standards. This gives our customers the assurance that they are only purchasing used licences from trustworthy sources from Soft & Cloud, which can be used without restrictions and are also accepted by Microsoft in audits without any problems.
Whether you want to use Microsoft SharePoint Server in your company for the first time or need additional access licences for an existing installation - at Soft & Cloud you will find a large selection of used licences - legal, affordable and legally compliant.
Frequently asked questions and answers
What exactly is SharePoint?
Microsoft SharePoint is a web application that allows you to easily create and expand websites for your own company (intranet) or teams. Any digital content such as documents, images and multimedia files can be shared and edited together. SharePoint simplifies internal communication in companies by making information and documents available centrally for decentralised use.
What licence is required for SharePoint?
To use Microsoft SharePoint Server in a company, one server licence is required for each server instance used. In addition, a user CAL is required for each user accessing a SharePoint server and a device CAL for each device accessing the server. The version of the access licence must either correspond to the server version or be more up-to-date than the server version. For example, a SharePoint Server 2013 CAL authorises access to a SharePoint Server 2013 or older, but not to a SharePoint Server 2016 or 2019.
When is a SharePoint Server CAL required?
Microsoft's licensing policy stipulates that companies must also purchase and provide proof of Client Access Licences (CALs) in addition to the server licence. CALs licence either access to the server by a user (User CAL) or access to the server by an end device (Device CAL). If several users or devices are to access the server at the same time and use its functions, a CAL is required for each user or device.
