Hybrid Solutions
Each complex business case requires a tailored software solution to meet fully corporate demands. Therefore, we offer the full array of software licensing channels from multiple vendors to ensure we deliver the optimal financial and operational solution for your organisation.
The hybrid software solutions provided by DCD give businesses the flexibility to modernise and capitalise on the distinct benefits of mixing various cloud and on-premise products from different vendors at the greatest price-value ratio.
Microsoft Hybrid Software Solutions
Our experts can assist you in choosing the best solutions for your company that thoroughly suit your infrastructure and budget requirements. The following examples illustrate how you can benefit from combining the latest Microsoft cloud-based subscription apps and services with specific Microsoft perpetual OV volume, CPO, OEM, or ESD offerings.
Case Scenario 1:
Optimising software licensing for a growing company
Suppose you are a rapidly growing organisation. You need perpetual desktop Office applications to boost productivity and effectiveness, as well as a cloud-based storage solution because of the increasing data storage and collaboration needs.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) perpetual volume licences for Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus
Certified pre-owned (CPO) perpetual volume licences for Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus for all users including all productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Publisher), required for daily operations. CPO licensing allows prices to stay competitive.
OneDrive for Business annual plans
OneDrive for Business annual plans for every user, providing file sharing, 1 TB of cloud storage per user and Copilot available as an add-on.
Case Scenario 2:
Staying within the budget limits of a mid-sized company
A mid-sized organisation is looking for a file server to manage and store its data, a mail solution for communication purposes and a conferencing tool for virtual meetings and collaboration. Additionally, they require server environments to run the server applications. Their primary objective is to find affordable pricing options that fit their budget constraints.
2 OEM licences for Windows Server 2019 Standard 16-core
2 OEM licences for Windows Server 2019 Standard 16-core as a one-time purchase. This operating system will serve as the server environment, providing a secure and reliable platform for running applications.
1 CPO licence for Exchange Server 2019 Standard
1 CPO licence for Exchange Server 2019 Standard as a mail solution for email communication and collaboration within the organisation. The CPO licensing channel ensures that pricing remains at optimal levels.
1 CPO licence for SharePoint Server 2019
1 CPO licence for SharePoint Server 2019 to provide a central location for storing files and collaboratively working on projects.
CPO Core CAL Suite 2019 User Client Access Licences (CALs)
CPO Core CAL Suite 2019 User Client Access Licences (CALs) for all users to access the servers and applications mentioned above. By proposing 2019 versions of Windows Server, Exchange and SharePoint, we ensure the use of a common licensing solution, and thus, we achieve maximum budget utilisation.
Microsoft Teams annual subscription for every user
Microsoft Teams annual subscription for every user as a conferencing tool through the CSP licensing channel. The plan includes 10 GB of cloud storage per user, phone and web support, data encryption, hundreds of collaborative apps, and Copilot as an add-on option.
Note: Additional products may be necessary!
If there are remotely working employees, the company should obtain Remote Desktop Service (RDS) CALs for each user or device accessing the server from outside the local network. We recommend per-user licensing as more suitable for businesses where every employee uses their own device. The RDS CALs must be compatible with the Windows Server version the user or device connects to. After 120 days, they’ll need a compatible Remote Desktop licence server to issue and track CALs.
Latest software option
We can propose the latest but more expensive Windows Server 2022 Standard 16-core licences for companies seeking the most up-to-date functionality. However, the Core CAL Suite 2019 CALs are incompatible with the 2022 version. This will lead to additional licensing expenses for Windows Server 2022 User CALs. As a result, staying within budget while achieving the core goal will be challenging.
Bonus recommendation: Secure your data and operations!
It is important to safeguard business data and systems. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud will provide high-quality backups for the file and mail servers with AI-powered cybersecurity features, disaster recovery, and easy one-point management. Learn how Acronis will help you protect against various risks and threats. (link)
As an MSP that provides complex software solutions and professional licensing guidance, we prefer a more comprehensive approach to meeting our clients' needs. That is where hybrid software solutions come into play. These mixed licensing solutions often best fit customers’ software requirements. Thus, businesses can achieve the optimal outcome without sacrificing their initial goals...
In the described case, we combine OEM and CPO licences with a CSP subscription after considering numerous variables. Operating systems are usually static environments; therefore, they do not gain as much from the constant updates the more expensive in-the-long-term subscription model offers. Furthermore, feature and security updates are accessible for lifetime licences throughout the lifecycle term of the product, so that won’t be an issue during the initial period. Plus, there is no point in paying for unnecessary features included in the subscription pricing.
As CALs are merely enablers of services, pre-owned licensing is an affordable way to acquire them while reducing IT costs. CPO licences provide cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and the same quality as the equivalent brand-new products. On the other hand, the CSP licensing channel offers the company a seamless and consistent user experience and a range of additional services. By implementing this hybrid OEM, CPO, and CSP solution, we help this mid-size organisation meet all their software demands and fulfil its objective to stay within budget limits.
Are you interested in exploring some additional services?
CPO, CSP and OV/OVS Comparison Chart
| CPO | CSP | OVS/OVS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing |
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Payment options |
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Commitment |
No commitment | 1-Year Contract | 3-Year Contract |
Software Usage Rights |
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Software Assurance |
❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Admin centre |
❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Multiple vendor hybrid software solutions
Case Scenario 3:
Software optimisation for a consulting firm
A financial consulting firm requires an extensive suite of reliable office productivity apps to maintain high functionality. However, to reduce expenses, it is also looking for a cost-effective alternative to Adobe for creating and managing PDF files while keeping most of the functionality. Additionally, the company needs to replace the basic security features of Windows Defender with a more advanced cybersecurity solution that includes backup capabilities to protect sensitive client information.
For productivity software, we have two suggestions:
- Option one involves perpetual retail licences for Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus for each user as a one-time purchase. The package includes all productivity apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Publisher).
- Option two is a subscription to Microsoft 365 Business Standard. This annual plan provides essential Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus Teams for video conferencing, OneDrive for cloud-based storage, Exchange Online for email, and Sharepoint for intranet.
For a PDF editor app:
- A PDF Extra Team Ultimate volume subscription: This product by MobiSystems offers robust PDF editing capabilities comparable to Adobe Acrobat, ensuring the firm retains 95% of the necessary functionality while realising substantial cost savings.
- We can also propose a PDF Extra perpetual licensing option. MobiSystems’ lifetime comprehensive PDF solution is available only for Windows devices. As Adobe ceased offering perpetual licences and focused on subscriptions, MobiSystems’ PDF Extra lifetime one-time-purchase product has evolved into a compelling and efficient alternative.
Cybersecurity & Backup
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is a comprehensive cybersecurity and backup solution that exceeds the capabilities of Windows Defender. It offers advanced security features, including malware protection, data encryption, and world-class backup and disaster recovery services. It can protect the workloads on over 20 platforms, customising the solution to meet specific customer requirements.
Its multilayered structure allows flexibility to create a unique combination of components and extra features to suit specific needs with Acronis Cyber Protect advanced packs. Customers add only the functionalities they need, paying for what they use, whether it's Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), eXtended Detection and Response (XDR), or Disaster Recovery (DR). They can add XDR, MDR and DR to specific workloads or seamlessly integrate these features for future use.
As a managed service provider of Acronis, DCD offers consulting, integration, configuration, and maintenance support, ensuring that qualified experts handle our customers’ cybersecurity and backup.
Note: An alternative option to achieve the desired level of security is with a Microsoft 365 suite. For this purpose, the company will need a Microsoft 365 E3 or Office 365 E3 licence (depending on whether they want Windows included). However, this option has a significant drawback: it is much more expensive than the proposed mixed-vendor solution as it is designed for enterprise-level organisations.
