Software Licensing Overview

Skillable labs use real software to create authentic learning environments. Since these labs run full software products, it’s important to ensure that all licensing requirements are met. This article explains licensing responsibilities, strategies to minimize licensing needs, and the licensing options Skillable can provide.

Responsibility for Software Activation

Lab builders and their Organizations are responsible for ensuring that any software used in a lab is properly licensed.

Skillable provides the platform and tools to install software in virtual machines (VMs) or cloud environments; however, software licensing and compliance remain the responsibility of the builder in most cases.

Always confirm that any software you include in a lab is legally obtained and licensed for your intended use.

Minimizing Licensing Requirements

To help reduce or eliminate licensing needs, Skillable recommends the following approaches:

1. Use Free or Open-Source Alternatives

Look for software that achieves the same goals without licensing costs.

Examples:

✅ Pros: No licensing costs.
❌ Cons: May differ in features or workflows.

2. Use Trial, Developer, or Education License

Many vendors offer free trial versions, developer editions, or education licenses.

Example: Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition provides full Enterprise features and is free for non-commercial use—an ideal option for labs.

✅ Pros: Access to the exact software required.
❌ Cons: License terms may be time-limited or have feature restrictions.

3. Use Skillable-Provided Licensing

In some cases, Skillable can provide licensing on your behalf. Current options include:

• Windows Client (10/11)

• Windows Server (2012 R2 & up)

• Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365

• Microsoft Azure

• Amazon AWS

Skillable offers both manual and automatic activation methods depending on your environment. Contact your Skillable Account Manager for availability and cost details.

Known Licensing Solutions

Skillable currently maintains documented licensing solutions for the following software:

• Windows Client (10/11)

• Windows Server (2012 R2 & Up)

• Microsoft SQL Server

• Tableau Desktop

Windows Client (10/11)

Skillable can optionally provide Windows Client licensing. If you prefer to use your organization’s own licensing, Skillable recommends obtaining a Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement and following the manual activation method below.

Whether using Skillable provided or your own Volume Licensing, ensure you are using Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise.

Manual Activation

If you are using your own Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement, you must apply your product key to each lab environment. Refer to Microsoft’s documentation for instructions on how to change the Volume Licensing product key.

This method requires an active Microsoft licensing agreement.

Automatic Activation

For Windows Client VMs running on Hyper-V or ESX, Skillable offers an automatic Windows Client Licensing option. If the VM runs in a cloud platform, activation is handled by the cloud provider.

This method does not require a Microsoft licensing agreement but does require a service contract (and additional costs) with Skillable. Contact your Account Manager for details.

Windows Server

Windows Server, like Windows Client, must be activated on all installations.

Manual Activation

If you are using your own Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement, each lab must have your key applied. Refer to Microsoft’s documentation for instructions on how to change the Volume Licensing product key.

This method requires an active Microsoft licensing agreement.

Automatic Activation

Hyper-V/ESX Hosted: Skillable offers an automatic Windows Server Licensing option for VMs hosted on Hyper-V or ESX.

This method does not require a Microsoft licensing agreement but does require a service contract (and additional costs) with Skillable. Contact your Account Manager for details.

Cloud Hosted: Windows Server VMs deployed into Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, or Google Cloud are automatically activated by the provider.  

Only Microsoft Azure automatically licenses Windows Client VMs.

This method does not require a Microsoft licensing agreement, but these VMs may qualify for Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server if your organization already holds eligible licenses.

Microsoft SQL Server

For SQL Server labs, consider using the free SQL Server Developer Edition or deploying Azure SQL Database in a Cloud Slice environment.

For traditional on-premises SQL Server installations, Developer Edition is recommended. It includes the full Enterprise feature set and is free for development, testing, and education use—all of which apply to Skillable labs.

Enterprise Edition is permitted only for production use and requires a paid license.

Tableau Desktop

Organizations teaching the Tableau Desktop or Tableau Prep Builder may use Tableau’s Lab License, available under their Tableau for Teaching program.

Additional Microsoft Licensing

Skillable uses a specific Microsoft licensing program to activate certain Microsoft products. We currently support only the products listed in the Skillable-Provided Licensing section, though the program may cover additional Microsoft products.

If you have a viable need, potentially supported Microsoft products include:

• SharePoint Server

• System Center Standard Core

• Visual Studio Team Foundation Server

• Visual Studio (Enterprise, Professional, and Test Professional)

• BizTalk Server (Branch, Standard, and Enterprise)

• Dynamics 365 for Customer Services, Sales, and Team Members

• Exchange Server

Requesting Access

To discuss licensing needs for any of the products listed above—or to request other Skillable-provided licensing—contact your primary Skillable representative.

Summary

Software used in Skillable labs must be properly licensed, and organizations are responsible for ensuring compliance. Skillable offers several options to help reduce licensing needs, including open-source alternatives, trial or developer editions, and select licensing services for Microsoft and cloud-based products. When additional licensing is required, Skillable provides both manual and automatic activation paths for supported software. If you need licensing beyond the options outlined here, contact your Skillable representative to discuss available solutions.