andre.quitta (1/29/2014)
I've also been evaluating monitoring software. Spotlight has changed to an instance pricing model, which could get pretty expensive pretty fast. We were quoted about $1,500 per instance. There's also no easy way to switch from one instance to another. We were thinking of using a floating license to install as needed. It would be a PITA to do so.I still like their tools, but they make it more difficult now.
Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager uses instance pricing, but you can switch from monitoring one server to monitoring a different server fairly quickly, without having to have a new license. If you have 10 licenses, you can monitor 10 different servers at any one time, and can switch to monitoring a different server without buying a new license.
You should be aware that Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager requires a SQL Server to store the data it gathers.