Author: Scott D. Rosenberg

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing # 8

There is a lot of talk about server licenses and how exactly it works. For each software license you acquire, you must assign that license to one of your servers. You can assign as many software licenses as you would like to one server but if you were to assign the software to more than one server you would be out of compliance. One thing to keep in mind here also – a hardware partition or blade is considered a […]

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing Tip # 7

Benchmark testing – although this may be something that seems like it should be done for your own benefit it’s important to know that Microsoft requires that you get their written approval before disclosing the results to a third party. This does NOT apply to the following applications: .NET Framework, Class Server, Live Communications Server, Systems Center Operations Manager, SharePoint Portal Server, System Center Data Protection Manager, System Center Essentials, Systems Management Server, Virtual Server, Windows Server, Microsoft Services for […]

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing Tip # 4

For Microsoft online services such as Live Meeting or Exchange Online, there are three kinds of licenses for these products dependant on the offering in which you choose to use and its requirements – meaning, you may or may have to license each of your programs differently should Microsoft ask for it. The first is a User or Device Subscription License which is required for each user or device that will access the online service. The second – a services […]

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing Tip #3

Cold Backup for Disaster Recovery will expire if you let your Software Assurance expire on your servers.  This means that you’re required to purchase server licenses to replace the ones you initially received through your software assurance rights if you want to continue to use you Microsoft Server and Server CAL products. The information can be found in Microsoft’s Product Use Rights Document within the Volume Licensing section.’

What the difference between software assurance and licensing rights?

In the wonderful and confusing world of software licensing there seems to be some confusion between software assurance (SA) rights and software licensing rights, which comes to light when SA benefits expire and users aren’t sure what they are entitled to do at that time. The  difference:  the software license right is valid for as long as you own the license with or without SA; an SA benefit is only active for as long as you have coverage on your […]

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing Tip # 2

According to Microsoft, each user that you permit access to your software requires a license. Ok…you’r probably saying “duh, I knew that,” but read on, my friend. You can install any number of copies of your software on any devices, for example and employee’s desk computer, laptop and perhaps a conference room PC, BUT, here is the clincher, only licensed users can access the software. So let me put it this way, if a random person enters your office and […]

Quick Byte: Microsoft Licensing Tip # 1

Just like Oracle software licensing, Microsoft has its complexities as well. When using a Microsoft application, you must license each device in which you will access the software (locally and remotely). You can install any version of the application you prefer, for example many users currently will use Office 2003 instead of the newer 2007 version, but if both are installed, 2007 must be licensed. The same goes for a server installation – if computers in your office are using […]

Quick Bite: 7 Software Asset Management Quick Tips

Here are some quick and helpful tips for software asset management (SAM). • Set Goals for your company’s SAM • Take an inventory • Match Software with Licenses • Organize licensing documentation (create a repository) • Plan for the Long-Term • Develop a set of rules and procedures to promote good SAM practices • Create a SAM plan to keep licensing in line moving forward Software licensing and compliance are extremely complex.  We specialize in Oracle licensing and software asset management (Microsoft, too).  Having a good software asset […]

In Archive