Freedom from Vendor Lock-in: Why Third-Party Support Empowers Your Business

Businesses often find themselves trapped in relationships with software vendors that limit their options and dictate their IT roadmaps. This phenomenon, known as vendor lock-in, is particularly prevalent with enterprise software giants like Oracle and Microsoft. Their business models are designed to create dependency, making it increasingly difficult for organizations to chart their own technological…

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Uncovering Hidden Savings: How Third-Party Support Optimizes Your IT Budget

In today’s challenging economic climate, IT leaders are constantly looking for ways to optimize their budgets without compromising on quality or security. One strategy that’s gaining significant traction is the adoption of third-party support for enterprise software systems. This approach is revolutionizing how organizations manage their IT maintenance costs, particularly for major platforms like Oracle…

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Lessons from US Government Oversight: How Effective Software License Management Protects Your IT Budget

Software licenses represent a significant investment for organizations of all sizes. Yet, as a recent congressional oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) revealed, even government agencies spending over $1 billion annually on software can struggle with fundamental license management [ 🔗 Read press release here ]. For IT managers, CIOs, and procurement…

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Is Microsoft’s Licensing Model Fueling Security Risks?

Microsoft’s recent security issue, aptly dubbed “BadSuccessor”, highlights deeper concerns within the software giant’s approach—not just to security, but to licensing and market dominance as well. Specifically, the exploitation of default Managed Service Accounts (dMSA) to escalate privileges within Active Directory underscores a broader issue: how Microsoft’s licensing and product strategy can inadvertently introduce significant security…

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VMware’s Mandatory Compliance Reporting: What You Need to Know

Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware has led to significant changes in licensing terms and conditions, notably affecting compliance reporting obligations. A crucial update that has slipped under the radar for many users is the Mandatory Compliance Reporting requirement embedded in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) licensing documentation. Understanding Mandatory Compliance Reporting Under Broadcom’s VMware licensing, customers must submit compliance…

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Broadcom Faces EU Scrutiny Over Controversial VMware Licensing Practices

Broadcom’s recent overhaul of VMware’s licensing model has sparked significant backlash from European cloud service providers, leading to calls for regulatory intervention. The European Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) and its monitoring body, the European Cloud Competition Observatory (ECCO), have raised concerns about substantial price hikes and restrictive licensing terms imposed by Broadcom…

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Microsoft’s EU Antitrust Case Nears Resolution: EU Commission seeks feedback on remedy proposals

The European Commission (EC) is currently evaluating public feedback on Microsoft’s proposed commitments to address antitrust concerns related to the bundling of its Teams collaboration tool with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites. This development follows a formal investigation initiated in July 2023, prompted by complaints from Slack Technologies and Alfaview GmbH, alleging that Microsoft’s…

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Microsoft Faces Major UK Class Action Over Software Licensing Practices

Microsoft is under legal scrutiny in the UK, facing one of the country’s largest class action lawsuits concerning its software licensing strategies. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft has abused its market dominance by imposing restrictive licensing practices, leading to inflated prices for consumers and businesses.  Allegations of Market Abuse The core of the lawsuit centers…

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🐝 The Attack: RVTools Compromised to Deliver Bumblebee Malware

RVTools, commonly used for VMware environment reporting, was exploited to distribute a variant of the Bumblebee malware loader. The compromise was detected when Microsoft Defender flagged a suspicious version.dll file executing from the same directory as the RVTools installer. Further analysis revealed that the installer had been tampered with to include the Bumblebee loader, a…

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Microsoft’s New European Cloud Commitments: A Turning Point for Licensing and Digital Sovereignty

On April 30, 2025, Microsoft announced a set of updated commitments designed to address European concerns around digital sovereignty, fair competition, and cloud market dynamics. Titled the “European Cloud Principles” and framed within a broader “European Cloud Customer Commitment,” the move responds to growing regulatory scrutiny across the EU and attempts to align more closely…

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Retrospective on Anaconda’s 2024 Licensing Changes: What They Mean and Smarter Alternatives

In 2024, Anaconda quietly introduced new licensing changes that took many in the software and data science world by surprise. These changes, which may significantly impact research institutions, government agencies, startups, and enterprises alike, represent a broader trend: the increasing commercialization of open-source tooling ecosystems. For organizations navigating the complexities of software compliance, especially in…

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US Federal CIO Mandates Software License Inventory: What It Means for SAM and Why It Matters Now

In a significant move to enhance software asset management (SAM) across U.S. federal agencies, newly appointed Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia has mandated a comprehensive inventory of software licenses. By April 2, 2025, agency CIOs are required to report all licenses held with the government’s top five software vendors: Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce, Oracle, and ServiceNow. This…

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Licenseware Named Among Romania’s Top 35 Innovations of 2025

Licenseware has been recognized as one of Romania’s top 35 innovations in the 2025 edition of the Innovation 35 report by start-up.ro. This annual initiative highlights groundbreaking projects across various sectors, celebrating the nation’s most forward-thinking companies. Licenseware: Leading the Charge in Software Asset Management Licenseware’s inclusion in the Innovation 35 underscores our commitment to…

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Broadcom’s Cease-and-Desist Letters to VMware Perpetual License Holders

Broadcom’s recent actions have sent ripples through the IT community. Following its acquisition of VMware in November 2023, Broadcom has been actively enforcing its new licensing policies, particularly targeting users of perpetual VMware licenses without active support contracts. This enforcement has taken the form of cease-and-desist letters, raising concerns and prompting discussions about software asset…

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Maximizing Flexibility: The Power of Oracle Fusion Cloud Contract Rebalancing

Oracle Fusion Cloud applications have become a cornerstone for organizations seeking robust enterprise solutions. However, the contractual aspects of these powerful tools can significantly impact your bottom line and operational flexibility. Among the most valuable yet often overlooked contract provisions is the rebalancing clause, a feature that can transform how you manage your Oracle investment…

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