What is a License?A software
license gives you the right use a piece of software. It usually limits the software to a particular version and possibly for a specific length of time. Most licenses do not include the software itself – you will need to purchase this separately or download it from the vendors’ website.
Commercial software licenses come in several forms:
• OEM - A license to allow a computer manufacturer or other party to distribute software with its own products
• Boxed Product - Typically, a license for a single use of the software
• Volume Purchase - License terms typically issued to an organisation to allow use of multiple copies of software in the organisation
• CAL - The right to access or utilise the services of a server
Licenses may also include:
• Upgrade rights - Can be a technology guarantee or maintenance/subscription agreement
• Downgrade rights - Only some licenses have downgrade rights
• Version Maintenance - Could be included with the license or may need to be a separate purchase at the same time
Licenses are not always transferable
Please note that the way you buy licenses and the rights assigned vary by agreement, product and vendor.
80% of companies surveyed believe they have enough licensing skills in-house to cope with the complexities of purchasing and managing from multiple vendors. Rather than make assumptions which may delay your project, increase your long term costs or leave you in a non-compliant position, please arrange a call with one of our Licensing Specialists via your Account Manager.
