This is a contributed comment to the ITAM Review written by Filipa Preston, CEO of Software Optimisation Services. The ongoing parliamentary committee investigation into the alleged over-pricing of software in Australia has raised an interesting debate – are Australians being treated unfairly when it comes to the price of software? Australians are more than aware of the premium they pay for many... 

The Devil is in the details This article has been contributed by Sean Robinson of License Dashboard. Microsoft Product Use Rights Document – the hidden font of Microsoft licensing knowledge! As any Software Asset Manager should know, a license is actually the right to use a piece of software, and the ways in which a license can be used are governed by the terms and conditions of the contract which... 

This article has been contributed by Rob Horwitz of Directions on Microsoft.  Customers who acquire a license for a particular product version and edition may deploy an earlier version or different edition in its place under certain circumstances. These licensing rules, called downgrade rights vary not only by sales channel where the license was purchased but also by the particular product line,... 

Eliminating duplicate accounts and dormant usernames can save 4%-7% from the total number of user accounts! This article has been contributed by Moshe Panzer, CEO of Xpandion. Part One – Getting into the Right Mind Set Part Two – Preparing Real Use Data Part Three – Pre-audit Data Cleansing Classification Part 2 of 3: Preparing Real Use Data Commencing on the journey to a successful SAP audit... 

Moshe Panzer, Xpandion This article has been contributed by Moshe Panzer, CEO of Xpandion. Part One – Getting into the Right Mind Set Part Two – Preparing Real Use Data Part Three – Pre-audit Data Cleansing Classification Part 1 of 3: Getting into the Right Mind Set Once a year you receive an email reminding you that the time has come (again) to file your company’s SAP licensing report.... 

This independent review of FlexNet Manager Suite for Enterprises from Flexera Software is part of our 2012 SAM Tools Review. See all participants and terms of the review here. Executive Summary Elevator Pitch Black-belt SAM Strengths Industrial Strength Enterprise SAM offering, Enterprise Data Aggregator Weaknesses The strength is the weakness – not for the feint hearted. Don’t expect an... 

This independent review of AppClarity and Shopping from 1E is part of our 2012 SAM Tools Review. See all participants and terms of the review here. Executive Summary Elevator Pitch AppClarity – Plug-in for SCCM for automatic reclaim of unused software. Shopping – Enterprise App store using SCCM Strengths Most of the SAM market is focussed on reporting and accounting; 1E are focussed on taking... 

"...the spread of ‘fear, uncertainty and doubt’ (FUD) is still the preferred choice of weapon by major software vendors" This article has been contributed by Noel Unwin of Discount-Licensing.com Part One – Industry Dynamics Part Two -Demystifying the Mist Part Three – The Legalities Part 3 of 3: The Legalities Whilst all secondary suppliers (in any marketplace) should... 

Demystifying the Mist Surrounding Second-hand Software This article has been contributed by Noel Unwin of Discount-Licensing.com Part One – Industry Dynamics Part Two -Demystifying the Mist Part Three – The Legalities Part 2 of 3: Demystifying the Mist Having taken a look at the dynamics of the second hand software industry in Part 1 of this story, we can start to see how this market... 

"Some statements from software vendors in this space may seek to cloud your judgement and paint a shady tone of grey" This article has been contributed by Noel Unwin of Discount-Licensing.com Part One – Industry Dynamics Part Two -Demystifying the Mist Part Three – The Legalities Part 1 of 3: Industry Dynamics Over the past decade, you may have come across articles relating...