Stop Overpaying for SQL Server

SQL SERVER LICENSING OPTIMIZATION

No Migration. No Downtime. Just Savings.

CUT SQL SERVER COSTS BY 10% OR MORE

Hosting providers are replacing SPLA SQL Server licensing with Azure Arc CSP licensing to dramatically reduce costs—without changing infrastructure.

If you’re still licensing SQL Server through SPLA, you’re almost certainly overpaying—often by thousands of dollars per month.

Why SPLA Is Costing You More Than You Think

SPLA requires you to report full core counts for the entire month—even when servers are idle or underutilized. You pay for capacity you don’t actually use.

Microsoft is strategically shifting SQL Server licensing away from SPLA and toward Azure Arc-enabled SQL. Right now, they’ve made Azure Arc CSP pricing extremely attractive.

The hidden costs of SPLA include:

  • Paying for unused cores every month
  • Manual, error-prone monthly reporting
  • High audit risk with six-figure settlements
  • No cloud-native monitoring or security visibility

Early adopters are already realizing real savings. Your competitors may already be switching.

SPLA vs Azure Arc CSP

Billing Model

SPLA: Monthly minimum, full core reporting
Arc: Hourly pay-as-you-go

Migration Required

SPLA: N/A
Arc: No migration—agent only

Compliance

SPLA: Manual, audit risk
Arc: Automated via Azure

Audit Protection

SPLA: Relies on your records
Arc: Full automated audit trail

How the Transition Works

Transitioning to Azure Arc SQL is fast, safe, and non-disruptive.
Total Timeline: 2–3 Weeks. Some clients complete in under one week.

01

Assessment

1–2 Days: We analyze your current SPLA SQL environment and calculate your exact savings potential.

02

Planning

2–3 Days: We design a zero-impact transition plan—no customer disruption, no surprises.

03

Implementation

3–5 Days: Install the Azure Arc agent on your SQL Servers. No downtime. No migrations.

04

Optimization

Ongoing: We fine-tune licensing, validate savings, and provide ongoing compliance management.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No. Your SQL Server databases stay exactly where they are—on your own infrastructure. Azure Arc is a management and licensing layer only.

No. The Azure Arc agent installs without taking SQL Server offline. We typically schedule during a maintenance window, but downtime is not required.

Azure Arc SQL is billed hourly based on actual vCore usage, not monthly core maximums. Even fully utilized servers often cost less due to CSP pricing.

Yes. You can exit SPLA for SQL Server at any time. We ensure a clean transition with no licensing gaps.

Azure Arc provides a completely automated audit trail. When Microsoft comes calling (and eventually they will) providing your records to the auditors is a snap and reduces costly time and risk that comes with licensing SQL Server via SPLA.

No. Altaris manages assessment, planning, CSP billing, and ongoing license management. We guide you through the Arc agent installation.

Yes—though none of our clients ever have. Azure Arc licensing is flexible, and you’re never locked in.

There isn’t one. Microsoft wants on-prem SQL workloads visible in Azure, so they’ve priced Azure Arc aggressively. Many providers simply don’t know this option exists—yet.

Stop Leaving Money on the Table

Every month you remain on SPLA is another month of unnecessary SQL Server licensing costs.
Let’s calculate your exact savings and build a zero-risk transition plan.

Contact Us Today