Microsoft has kicked off the second stage of its
software audit and asset management programme, which aims to ensure
that users are running licensed copies of its
software.
The company has contacted businesses with 250 PCs or fewer,
asking them to complete a software audit questionnaire.
Ram Dhaliwal, licensing programme manager at Microsoft, said
users had 14 days to complete this questionnaire, but they could
take longer if they contacted Microsoft. "If they have not returned
the questionnaire and have refused to engage with us, the
Business Software
Alliance will be contacted," he said.
The BSA, which represents software suppliers and campaigns
against illegal software use, would be able to fine any company
that had infringed Microsoft licensing. The company could also face
legal costs.
Dhaliwal said, "Our goal is to get customers to pay for what
they use. If a customer is using our software, we ask them to pay
for it."
According to Microsoft, software asset management helps
businesses save money by enabling them to find out what software is
required and what does not need to be installed.
Dhaliwal said a business with 100 project managers that require
MS Project could find that a larger number of staff have installed
the project management software, even though they do not need it to
do their job. This situation can easily be put right once the PCs
running the software have been identified.
Knowing what software is installed should allow IT directors to
take advantage of volume licence discounts, said Microsoft.
www.microsoft.com/uk/piracy/buy-safely/asset-management/default.mspx
Comment on this article:
computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk