Stop Overpaying for SQL Server

SQL SERVER LICENSE OPTIMIZATION

No Migration. No Downtime. Just Savings.

CUT SQL SERVER COSTS BY 7-10%

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 now offers Azure Arc pricing for SQL Server that is often lower than SPLA.

The hidden costs of SPLA include:

  • Paying for unused cores every month
  • Manual, error-prone monthly reporting
  • Manual reporting that is easy to get wrong
  • 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

Reporting & Records

SPLA: Relies on your records
Arc: Complete automated record

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: Our referral partner assesses your current SPLA SQL environment, and Altaris calculates your exact savings potential.

02

Planning

2–3 Days: Our referral partner designs a zero-impact transition plan—no customer disruption, no surprises.

03

Implementation

3–5 Days: Our referral partner installs the Azure Arc agent on your SQL Servers. No downtime. No migrations.

04

Optimization

Ongoing: Our referral partner keeps your Arc environment continuously monitored, with a live dashboard and a permanent audit trail.

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. The transition is typically scheduled during a maintenance window by our referral partner.

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. Our referral partner ensures a clean transition with no licensing gaps.

If your licensing is ever reviewed, Azure Arc gives you a complete automated record.

No. Our referral partner handles the assessment, planning, CSP billing, and ongoing license management. Altaris puts the savings estimate together and makes the introduction.

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