Having a hard time understanding the AWS FortiManager pricing

[ricvil]

I would be grateful if those who understand more about the subject can shed some light so this makes sense to me.

On the AWS Marketplace, the FortiManager 10 costs $4,730 per year (not counting AWS infrastructure costs).

https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-4rgupihrc4lgq?sr=0-2&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPC...

If we commit to the one year contract it drops to about $4,080.

If we go with BYOL and purchase the 1 Year Bundle from a Fortinet reseller (FC1-10-FMGVS-258-01-12), it costs about $350.

I do not understand why buying from AWS is $4080 and buying from a Fortinet reseller is $350.  What am I missing here as neither of the above include infrastructure so I believe I am comparing the same thing?

[Dai]

The AWS Marketplace version includes the

license and convenience of a pre-deployed image, which is why it’s more expensive.

The BYOL option is just the license — you deploy and manage the instance yourself, which is why it’s much cheaper.

Both still require you to pay for AWS infrastructure separately.

[ricvil]

The marketplace provides the same image whether we do BYOL or have the license included (the instance is spun up the same way).  The only convenience that I can see is that I don't have to buy the licenses elsewhere.   That does not explain why the same product costs $4080 if we pay Amazon for the license or $350 if we pay a Fortinet reseller.  The more I think of this the more it looks like a trap for unsuspecting newcomers to Fortinet.  I am sure no Fortinet veteran would fall for this.