It can vary, but there are multiple licenses at the enterprise level with varying agreements and costs. Not just the OS for your server, but software, services, end user devices, and other random things that most folks never think about because they don’t have to.
In some cases FOSS can take a big chunk out of those costs or even eliminate them entirely if you have good staff that knows their stuff and your business doesn’t need or can make it’s own niche software/systems. If you build it in-house, you have to support and maintain it but it’s still often cheaper than many paid solutions.
Commercial Windows licenses aren’t typically covered by the equipment installers (or if they are, the cost is passed on to you instead of subsidizing it), have expiration dates, and you’ll want security updates.
I think the comment had the implication that the system would be running on Windows if not Ubuntu.
Beats the hell out of paying Microsoft so you can keep running your business.
Instead they’re probably paying Canonical
That or competent in house staff, but either are better options.
Can you clarify why they would need to keep paying Microsoft?
Licensing and also more licensing!
Oh that’s why I was confused, here I thought the license was permanent.
It can vary, but there are multiple licenses at the enterprise level with varying agreements and costs. Not just the OS for your server, but software, services, end user devices, and other random things that most folks never think about because they don’t have to.
In some cases FOSS can take a big chunk out of those costs or even eliminate them entirely if you have good staff that knows their stuff and your business doesn’t need or can make it’s own niche software/systems. If you build it in-house, you have to support and maintain it but it’s still often cheaper than many paid solutions.
Commercial Windows licenses aren’t typically covered by the equipment installers (or if they are, the cost is passed on to you instead of subsidizing it), have expiration dates, and you’ll want security updates.
I think the comment had the implication that the system would be running on Windows if not Ubuntu.
The comment implied Microsoft somehow is preventing a business owner from running their business.
Licenses
That’s not an explanation