This article explores three licensing strategies for migrating Microsoft workloads to AWS, helping organizations optimize costs and compliance.

• Bring Your Own Licenses (BYOL): Use existing on-premises licenses on AWS infrastructure, maintaining control and extending legacy software lifecycles
• License Mobility: Microsoft Software Assurance benefit allowing licenses on shared EC2 instances with proper verification
• Dedicated Hosts: Option for products without License Mobility, supporting per-socket or per-core licensing models
• License-included instances: Pay-as-you-go model for variable workloads, no upfront licensing costs required
• Modernization: Migrate to cloud-native services like Aurora, containers, and managed databases to reduce licensing complexity
• AWS License Manager: Centrally manage licenses across AWS and on-premises environments with compliance tracking
• Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA): Free program offering cost savings up to 40% through resource rightsizing
• Database Freedom program: Discounts for migrating SQL Server to Aurora with expert guidance

AWS recommends a mixed licensing approach tailored to specific workload requirements, combining BYOL for stable workloads, license-included for variable infrastructure, and modernization for long-term cost reduction.