Enterprise Connection, part of the listed technology company, Connection Group Holdings Ltd., has announced its appointment as a Microsoft License Management Programme (MLMP) partner, saying the new Microsoft initiative - which assists small to medium sized companies to gain knowledge and control over their software assets - is a major boon to the computer industry and to the fight against software piracy.
Paul Moses, managing director of Enterprise Connection, one of Microsoft SA`s largest Direct Large Account Resellers (DLARs), said MLMP partners are empowered to assist end users with software reviews aimed at software compliance. "Being a MLMP partner brings a significant amount of value to our client service offerings. MLMP," he said, "dovetails perfectly with our own LicenseRight programme, an initiative launched more than 12 months ago to make sure that business software being used by end users is fully compliant with international regulations, as well as ensuring that software used is properly managed, completely audited and licensed."
However, while the MLMP is focused purely on the usage of Microsoft software, Enterprise Connection`s LicenseRight solution includes software offered by the majority of the Business Software Alliance`s members, including Adobe, Autodesk, Lotus, Macromedia, and Symantec.
"Signing on as one of Microsoft SA`s MLMP partners means that we can offer an expanded service to our client base."
Moses said Enterprise Connection views the launch of the MLMP as an extremely positive move as it "definitely assists" end users in the overall management of their software. This is expected to lead to a reduction in software abuse and piracy.
Moses also said that, since Enterprise Connection`s appointment as an MLMP partner, it is already in the process of conducting software reviews on behalf of two leading companies.
Enterprise Connection`s success in the licensing arena has become increasingly evident in the last year. More than R25 million worth of Microsoft Licensing has been secured in Cape Town alone, with the signing of companies like Naspers, Woolworths and P & O Nedlloyd.
According to Moses, "These deals firmly establish Enterprise Connection as a leading Microsoft Large Account Reseller (LAR) not only in the Western Cape, but in South Africa as a whole".
Said Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive: "The appointment of MLMP partners such as Enterprise Connection - who are also one of our largest resellers - goes a long way towards attaining our goals of both educating and assisting the marketplace, including the channel and end users, to better manage their software, and not to become unwitting resellers or users of unlicensed software." 1 200 software reviews requested
He said since the company launched the MLMP in the fourth quarter of last year, a decision was taken to request a total of 1 200 Microsoft users to conduct software reviews.
"In terms of our volume license agreements we are in a position to ask clients to conduct self audits. Last year more than 200 companies were requested to conduct self audits. The reaction from this exercise was extremely pleasing and, since we began this process, an increasing number of clients have become far more proactive - more and more are approaching us for assistance to ensure that they are both utilising license agreements to the fullest and that they are also not deploying unlicensed software.
"Now that we have appointed 21 MLMP partners, we are able to offer the marketplace far more assistance, enabling us to handle greater volumes - hence the current request for 1 200 software reviews."
Reynolds said the reviews would be conducted over the next 30-120 days.
For further information visit: www.microsoft.com/southafrica/licensing/lman
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