Software Connection Limited was authorised as a Microsoft Direct Large Account reseller (DLAR) in January 1998 and has already signed up Microsoft Select Licensing contracts with six blue chip companies. Software Connection has been a Microsoft Large Account reseller (LAR) for over four years and currently holds more Microsoft Select agreements than any other reseller in Sub Saharan Africa. "We have been successful because being a LAR is a major focus of our business, and a division has been set up specifically to administer and manage these contracts," said Kim Denbury, Corporate Licensing Manager for Software Connection. "We have in-house specialised MS Select Licensing personnel who personally administer and maintain these accounts. They attend all Microsoft Select and Licensing training, and are qualified Microsoft Sales Specialists," she said. Nasionale Pers, Rothmans International, Nampak Limited, Tongaat Hullett, Multichoice and Samancor are the six new Select agreements that have seen the benefit of the Microsoft Select programme and have chosen Software Connection over any other DLAR to manage the process for them. Software Connection`s DLAR status by Microsoft allows the company to sell and administer Microsoft Select Licensing Contracts to corporations using over 2 000 PCs. Robin Townshend, Group IT Manager for Tongaat-Hulett, has recently signed a two- year contract with Software Connection. "There are numerous benefits we enjoy through the contract, not least of which is a price advantage. We only pay for the software we use, and the ordering process is quick and easy. We can copy and deploy software as required, and our licensing is managed by Software Connection, which makes it easier to keep records of software bought for our 3 000 PCs. We are also pleased to have established a working relationship with Microsoft through Software Connection," said Townshend. The Microsoft Select volume licensing programme offers organisations tiered, volume discounts on the Microsoft products they require. The price level is determined by a company`s total two-year forecast of purchases within a category of products, and applied throughout the entire organisation. "Software is critical for any company," continued Denbury. "The Select Licensing contract makes it easier to track an organisation`s software license acquisitions through monthly license confirmations and quarterly acquisition summaries. "It also saves you money by not including disks and documentation - you only pay for the license rights, not for any superflous packaging you do not need," added Denbury. As a Select customer, a company would receive one full set of CD-ROMS containing the product pool or pools for which the company would sign an agreement. It could choose from a variety of additional product delivery options, such as an additional complete set of CD-ROMS, or a subscription for ongoing updates, or individual CDs for the products the company purchases. Product manuals or Microsoft Press books are also available separately to satisfy the various documentation needs of an organisation.
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