The Business Software Alliance is urging UK businesses
to review their software licensing as part of its annual audit
return campaign.
The alliance – which includes Adobe, Cisco, Dell, HP, IBM,
Intel, Microsoft , SAP, and Symantec among its members – uses its
annual software audit return to remind companies that they must
review their software licences.
Industry analyst IDC has warned that 27% of software in use in
UK businesses is illegal.
This year, the BSA has set up an online detective game, loosely
based on the board game Cluedo in a bid to encourage involvement.
Software Cluedo is a learning tool designed to educate businesses
on the risks of software piracy in an entertaining way.
Players also have a chance to win software packages from BSA
member companies.
The game attempts to show managers and staff the symptoms and
risks associated with software piracy and the benefits of effective
software asset management.
Players pretend to be a managing director strolling through a
virtual office and are confronted by a series of possible scenarios
from which they must work out how illegal software has been
installed in their company.
Siobhan Carroll, the BSA’s regional manager Northern Europe,
said, “While the software audit return form enables businesses to
get a hold of their current licensing position, the game provides
the warning signs to help businesses and their employees spot and
guard against illegal software.
“Software asset management is becoming increasingly relevant to
help businesses kick-start and maintain control of their software
assets.”
The Software Cluedo detective game follows network security firm
Arbor Networks’ bid last month to raise the profile of IT security
through a 12-part podcast drama serial.
You can play Software Cluedo at:
www.bsa.org/softwarecluedo/