Guide to Dynamics CRM 4.0 Editions and Licensing

The purpose of this guide is to help you find the Dynamics CRM server and licenses appropriate to your organization's needs.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is available in three editions, each appropriate for different sizes and types of organizations. Additionally, several different licensing configurations are available, depending on the number and kind of users who will access the CRM database, as well as the type of access necessary.

Server Editions

Three separate versions of the Dynamics CRM 4.0 server are available through TechSoup Stock: Workgroup Server, Professional Server, and Enterprise Server.

Dynamics CRM 4.0 Workgroup Server: Dynamics CRM 4.0 Workgroup Server offers the same features as Professional Server, but does not operate under the Server/CAL licensing model. CRM 4.0 Workgroup Server includes licenses for a maximum of five users to access the server from any number of computers or other devices. There are no licenses available for additional users, devices, or external users.

Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional Server: Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional Server operates under a Server/CAL licensing model, similar to many other Microsoft server products. Client access licenses may be acquired on a per-user or per-device model, depending on the needs of the organization. See Client Access Licenses below.

Dynamics CRM 4.0 Enterprise Server: Dynamics CRM 4.0 Enterprise Server offers the same features and licensing model as Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional Server, with the additional benefit of a multi-tenant architecture. In other words, the Enterprise Server allows organizations to maintain multiple, distinct CRM databases on one server with only one server license.

Client Access Licenses

Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional and Enterprise require a client access license (CAL) for each user or device accessing the server. There are three different types of CALs available on either a per-user or per-device model.

Limited CAL: The limited CAL allows a user or device read-only access to the CRM server. In other words, users with a limited CAL may access CRM information but may not make any edits or updates to it.

Full Use Additive CAL: When used in conjunction with a limited CAL, a full use additive CAL allows a user or device write access to the CRM server, thus allowing the user or device full read-write access to the server. The full use additive CAL may be used only in conjunction with a limited CAL.

CAL: The CAL provides a user or device full read-write access to the CRM server. The CAL is functionally equivalent to a combined limited and full use additive CAL.

As with many other Microsoft server technologies, the CALs listed above are each available on a per-user or per-device basis. A user CAL authorizes one user to access the CRM server from any computer or other device (for example, when an employee accesses the server from a computer at work and another at home). A device CAL authorizes one computer or other device to access the CRM server, regardless of the number of users (for example, on a shared workstation).

External Connector Licenses

An external connector (EC) license allows any number of external users to access a single installation of Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional or Enterprise. External users may not use the Dynamics CRM applications directly.

Generally, an external user is defined as anyone who is not an employee of the organization. For example, external users can include clients, suppliers, and alumni of the organization. External users do not include independent contractors, agents, service providers, or other persons providing services to or on behalf of the organization holding the license. As an alternative to an EC license, some organizations may choose to license each external user with a separate CAL or CALs.

EC licenses may not be used as a means of reselling or repackaging Dynamics CRM as a hosted service.

Limited External Connector: The limited EC license allows external users read-only access to the CRM server. In other words, external users may access CRM information but may not make any edits or updates to it.

Full Use Additive External Connector: When used in conjunction with a limited EC license, a full use additive EC license allows external users write access to the CRM server, thus allowing full read-write access to the server. The full use additive EC license may be used only in conjunction with a limited EC license.

External Connector: The EC license provides external users full read-write access to the CRM server. The EC license is functionally equivalent to a combined limited and full use additive EC license.