Licensing
Microsoft System Center 2025 Licensing Guide
Microsoft System Center 2025 represents the latest evolution in Microsoft’s comprehensive datacenter management solution. It provides organizations with powerful tools for monitoring, automating, and provisioning their software-defined datacenter infrastructure. The solution enhances productivity and security through seamless integration with Azure security, backup, and log analytics tools. System Center 2025 continues Microsoft’s commitment to providing robust…
Read MoreStrategic Advantage: The Benefits of Locking in Favorable License Terms with Early-Stage Software Companies
Organizations face constant pressure to optimize their software investments while maintaining flexibility and control over their IT infrastructure. One often overlooked strategy that can yield significant long-term benefits is securing favorable license terms with early-stage software companies. Whether considering perpetual licenses, on-premise deployments, or even SaaS arrangements, early engagement with emerging software vendors presents unique…
Read MoreImproved Service, Less Cost: The Real Benefits of Third-Party Software Maintenance
In the world of enterprise software, there’s a persistent myth that has influenced IT decision-making for decades: lower cost inevitably means lower quality service. This misconception has kept many organizations tethered to expensive vendor maintenance contracts despite rising costs and diminishing returns. The reality, however, tells a different story. Third-party software maintenance providers aren’t just…
Read MoreNavigating Software Audits: How Third-Party Support Can Mitigate Audit Risks
Software audits have become an increasingly common reality for organizations using enterprise software from vendors like Oracle and Microsoft. These audits can be disruptive, expensive, and potentially damaging to both finances and reputation when companies are found non-compliant. While many IT leaders view audits as inevitable headaches, third-party support providers offer a strategic advantage that’s…
Read MoreFreedom 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…
Read MoreUncovering 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…
Read MoreLessons 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…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreVMware’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…
Read MoreBroadcom 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…
Read MoreMicrosoft’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…
Read MoreMicrosoft 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…
Read More🐝 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…
Read MoreUncovering Hidden Costs: How Poor Microsoft License Management Impacts Your IT Budget
In today’s digital workplace, Microsoft licensing represents a significant investment for organizations of all sizes. While the sticker price of licenses is clear, many IT leaders are surprised by the hidden costs that emerge over time. These unexpected expenses can silently drain budgets and create financial strain if not properly managed. For IT managers, CIOs,…
Read MoreMicrosoft’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…
Read MoreRetrospective 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…
Read MoreUS 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…
Read MoreVMware Walks Back Controversial Licensing Change After Industry Backlash, Denies Official Announcement
VMware customers and partners were recently taken aback by reports of a significant licensing policy change: the minimum core requirement for VMware licenses was to increase from 16 to 72 cores per purchase order. This change, set to take effect on April 10, 2025, was communicated through distributor memos, notably from Arrow, and was perceived…
Read MoreBroadcom’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…
Read MoreBeyond High-Level Numbers: Understanding DOGE’s Software Licensing Scrutiny
In the ongoing quest to trim federal spending, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has turned its attention to what it considers a prime example of government waste: software licenses. Earlier this year, DOGE made headlines by claiming that federal agencies maintain far more software licenses than they have employees, suggesting…
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