There is a "Workgroup" edition of SQL Server which is quite a bit less expensive than Standard:
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/editions.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/pricing.aspx

Another thing worth asking is if the database really *needs* to be over 4GB. For example, maybe the database stores 10 years worth of historic data, but the field reps only need to look at the latest year. Or, maybe reps are specifically not supposed to be able to see each other's data, so maybe a given rep's database should only contain his/her data, which might be a fraction of the whole.

>Hi MIke. Thanks for replying.
>Having a VPN is not an option and the app must operate disconnected, with all the associated headaches of keeping data in sync.
>These are Reps , taking orders in remote rural areas, which cannot be guaranteed to have connectivit, but they must have the app to take the order.
>Sql express is not an option either, as some of the databases are more than 4 gigs.
>Also, a different dtatabse is not an option as the company has standardised on Sql Server.
>
>Do you know , givem the above, will each laptop have to have a 'Server' license of Sql Server, whcih I think costs about €1800
> ?
>
>Regards,
>Gerard
>
>
>
>>>Hi
>>>I have a potential customer who has a server , and will be running a distributed application on each of the reps laptops.
>>>There are about 15 reps, who will be running the application , disconnected, and then uploading data to the server
>>>Sql express is not an option as Database sze is over 4 Gigs.
>>>
>>>Does anybody know the licensing situaution in this case.... e.g. Do I need to purchase 15 server licenses at about $1800 each for each of the Reps laptops ?
>>>
>>>I had a look at the MS pricing site but it gave no example of this situation
>>>
>>
>>Seems like you would want one server which the reps access by VPN or some other remote access method. It's not only cheaper that way but you avoid all the headaches of keeping 18 databases in sync.