As part of its ongoing anti-piracy drive Microsoft SA has announced the launch of its License Management Programme, a programme specifically aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses to gain knowledge and control over software assets - as well as recognising those companies who are Microsoft software compliant.
The License Management Programme - which comes off the starting blocks on this month - follows the company`s Open Self Audit programme, which, earlier this year, saw the Microsoft SA anti-piracy team initiate and oversee the conducting of more than 60 company software reviews (audits).
The new programme aims to empower selected Microsoft channel partners to conduct software audits at end users.
Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive, said 21 channel partners have been approached by Microsoft and invited to take part in the Microsoft License Management programme.
Intensive training was provided during a two day seminar earlier this month on all aspects of licensing, compliance and auditing techniques.
A number of channel partners have already developed their own auditing programmes and tools - and these will be drawn into the programme.
Reynolds said that under the Microsoft License Management Programme companies engage a participating service provider, or appointed channel partner, who will follow a series of steps defined by Microsoft, as well as assessing the organisation`s use of Microsoft software.
Businesses that exhibit compliance are eligible for Microsoft License Certification, which Microsoft will honour for a period of one year in respect of the assessed PCs and software. The service providers will also be able to provide additional support to help companies with software asset management needs.
"The programme is aimed at assisted small and medium organisations in managing their software usage and reducing their total cost of ownership. The Business Software Alliance, through its experience with working with non-compliant companies, has found that the majority of companies whose software usage is not compliant with licensing conditions is due mainly to the mismanagement of software licenses - and no wilful intention to be non-compliant."
The License Management Programme is being successfully run by a number of Microsoft subsidiaries worldwide.
For further information, readers are urged to visit www.microsoft.com/southafrica/licensing/lman
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