BizTalk projects are largely dependent upon SQL Server. Microsoft has notified partners and resellers that the cost of SQL Server will rise post the release of SQL Server 2008 R2. You may want to place your SQL Server and BizTalk server license orders now before the jump.
From Microsoft:
“Microsoft recently announced that there will an increase in the pricing of the processor licensing of SQL Server 2008 R2 when it launches in the first half of calendar year 2010. There will be a 15% increase in the processor pricing of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition and a 25% increase in the processor pricing of SQL Server 2008 Standard. There will be no change to the Server/CAL licensing model of SQL Server.
We are adjusting our prices for Standard and Enterprise based on the added value of features we are adding including, but not limited to, Master Data Services, StreamInsight, PowerPivot, and data compression. Microsoft SQL Server continues to be the only major database vendor who does not alter price per core for multi-core processors. As processing power and capabilities of hardware increase, licensing SQL Server per processor continues to be a good option for many application scenarios, where SQL Server is up to a third the cost of Oracle.
SQL Server 2008 pricing has remained flat since 2005, with new features and functionalities included out of the box for no additional charge.”