Please be aware that we have a range of Microsoft products that are reaching end of support shortly.
Upon retirement or end of support, there will be no new security updates, non-security updates, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.
We strongly suggest that, if possible, all end customers are to avoid using unsupported versions due to the security risks that using an unsupported version will attract. This will not attract a compliance risk with Microsoft, but we are rather wanting to highlight the security risk that it will pose.
First Distribution can help offer you multiple options when it comes to upgrading to a supported version, which will best suit your customer’s needs.
SOME OF THESE OPTIONS INCLUDE:
The Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA):
The SPLA agreement allows an organization to license Microsoft products and use them to provide software services to its end Customers.
The CSP Server Subscriptions Program:
The commercial program is a licensing program that allows you to license specific infrastructure through a 1 year or a 3-year subscription. These licenses can be used on-prem on dedicated hardware or in an azure environment.
The CSP Perpetual Program:
The CSP Perpetual program is used when upfront payment Is made for perpetual ownership of the software
SQL Server 2012 has reached the end of its support (EOS) life cycle. Because many customers are still using this version, we’re providing several options to continue getting support. You can migrate your on-premises SQL Server instances to Azure virtual machines (VMs), migrate to Azure SQL Database, or stay on-premises and purchase extended security updates.
Unlike with a managed instance, migrating to an Azure VM does not require recertifying your applications. And unlike with staying on-premises, you’ll receive free extended security patches by migrating to an Azure VM.