BizSpark deployment license hosting

Question

I have signed up with BizSpark and it is a great deal, especially for people like myself in perennial startup mode. As part of BizSpark you get 3 year deployment licenses for software such as Windows Server and SQL Server. Is there any dedicated hosting companies that will allow you to use these licenses without having to pay for licenses built into typically hosting accounts? For example, normally to get SQL Server Standard installed on a dedicated server at a host can cost a fair bit of extra money, but as I already have a license I shouldn't have to pay.

Answer 1

You could probably contact your bizspark account rep and ask them.

Answer 2

As far as I know you have a few options.

1. BizSpark has a hosting company agreement, you could contact them
2. Most hosting companies with dedicated systems will sell you a basic configuration and allow you to install your own software. (However, windows might be the only tricky one).

I personally recommend both RackSpace and HostMySite for hosting, if you contact their sales people they will let you know what is possible.

Answer 3

So far, I have found two hosting providers aware of BizSpark:

• http://www.peer1.com/hosting/bizspark.php
• http://www.servepath.com/bizspark/

Although, hosting providers who are afraid of displaying their prices are usually super-expensive, which probably does not fit that well with the tight-budget spirit of companies going for BizSpark.

For the record,

• http://www.crystaltech.com/ does not support BizSpark (commercial answer obtained 2009-02-19).

Feel free to edit this post, if you have links.

Answer 4

Crystaltech has 4 different windows servers that will work for your BizSpark application. They also do custom configurations. They have been in business for 11 + years and are a Microsoft Certified Partner. SQL and other licenses can be added a la carte but you can get a empty box. They can be reached at 877.323.4578 option 3 ask for James.

http://crystaltech.com/dedicated-windows.aspx

Crystal Tech is currently running 3 promotions:

Pay Monthly: The RAM on the server is doubled for free. Pay Quarterly: Set up fee is waived ( No free RAM ) Pre pay the year: Get 3 months of service for free and the set up fee is also waived. ( No free RAM )