With the growing complexity in licensing options and the myriad of software solutions now available in the market, many organisations are in a state of flux with regards to where to next. It is as a result of this that Comztek is currently working closely with its partners to assist in educating customers on available licensing options and developing support structures to assist them through these decisions.
"In short, a licensing agreement dictates what you are able to do with the software you have acquired," says David Caygill, business unit director at Comztek. "Not all licensing is created equal and while a small business can pop down to a retailer and walk out with a box under their arm, larger businesses need multiple licenses that often vary from division to user."
Volume licensing is typically designed for a customer with five or more PCs and it is based on your company's exact requirements. Which is why Comztek is urging customers to ensure that they engage with a reputable, certified partner that is part of an authorised software distribution value chain when looking to negotiate their volume licensing requirements. According to Caygill, an accredited volume licensing supplier should assist and guide your purchase and business decisions, based on an overall needs assessment of a business.
"There are a lot of charlatans in the market who will try and sell as many licenses as will make them money, which is in essence defeating the object of volume licensing. The reality is that a volume licensing agreement should result in attractive pricing, predictable cost options and a variety of value-added benefits," states Caygill. "Correct licensing will mean simplicity, affordability, flexibility and value for your organisation."
It is with this that Comztek is setting out to make customers aware of the basis of Microsoft volume licensing. Where the size of your organisation is taken into consideration, if there is a need for a perpetual or non-perpetual license, as well as if there is a need for the customer to purchase additional software assurance.
A partner who understands volume licensing can also assist its clients in understanding the differences between devices in an organisation, number of servers per processor and the nature of connectivity the business has. This will in turn ensure a reduction in wastage where there are often too many or unnecessary licenses; it also reduces risks as in a case where there are too few licenses one may run the risk of fines and penalties; and then lastly it can go a long way to ensuring that the customer benefits from improved TCO by ensuring they only buy what they require.
"Customers often think that vendors make a lot of noise about nothing when it comes to licensing, but the reality is that licensing isn't just about the law - it can safeguard your business against unaccounted for business risks that may come as a result of unlicensed software, such as software failure, integration issues, hardware malfunctions and more," ends Caygill.
