I’ve talked to customers about migrating their workloads to Azure for a number of years now and at some point in the conversation we’ll start to mention where can cost savings can be made and one place that organizations can explore is the Azure Hybrid Benefit (formally Azure Hybrid Use Benefit) offers.
Windows
When you migrate or run your Windows workloads within Azure you can leverage your on prem Software Assurance licenses on Azure. Using Hybrid Benefit is supported on all Azure regions and on virtual machines (VM) that are running SQL or third-party marketplace software. You can also use it on Azure Dedicated Host.
You can apply the offer to your VM when you create it or to your existing VMs.
SQL
Customers with Software Assurance with their SQL license also have the option to use those licenses when they run SQL on an Azure Virtual Machine. You aren’t just constrained to using the license on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) implementation, there is also a chance to save up to 30 percent or even higher on SQL Database & SQL Managed Instance by using your SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance.
The Windows and SQL benefits, also apply to Azure VMware Solution.
Linux
At Microsoft Ignite 2020, the team announced a new Azure Hybrid Benefit program, which is in preview. This new program allows you to use your on prem Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) subscriptions within Azure. The benefit is applicable to all RHEL and SLES Marketplace pay-as-you-go (PAYG) images.
If you wish to use the Red Hat benefit you need to apply to become part of the program. To get started with the SUSE program you need to apply here.
Call to Action
If you are looking for more information on the Azure Hybrid Benefit offer, a great place to start is the FAQ the team have configured. Also check out the Azure Hybrid Benefit Saving Calculator which can help you determine what your cost savings will be.
