Computer Weekly licks off licensing debate
CIO Index demonstrates growing licence management burden
Computer Weekly kicks off licensing debate
Computer Weekly is this week turning the spotlight on the issue of software licensing.
The purchase of effective software at an economic price is a matter of necessity, not choice, for most companies.
Industry trends such as systems virtualisation and the development of new hardware such as multicore processors are making traditional licensing models unsatisfactory. At the same time, software suppliers' understandable desire for predictable income streams has put pressure on users to move from perpetual to renewable licences.
These developments make it more difficult to ensure transparency in software contracts and have added to the complexity of administration.
On this and other pages, Computer Weekly examines the issues and trends, as well as looking at practical strategies to get the best deal on your software licence.
There is also your usual mix of news, comment and opinion on the full spectrum of IT issues.
Concerns over contract transparency
CIOs grapple with new complexity
Who are the winners as focus changes?
Sidestepping virtual licensing breaches
New technologies add to licence headache
How to avoid nasty contract surprises
Licensing for today's world