News
Gartner Issues New Round of Licensing Recommendations
- By Scott Bekker
- 10/18/2001
Analysts at Gartner issued a new round of Microsoft licensing advice to customers in the wake of Redmond's decision to ease up on the transition to 6.0 licensing.
Gartner issued several recommendations last week after Microsoft on Oct. 8 extended the transition period of its controversial new Select version 6.0 volume licensing program until July 31, 2002.
Gartner says large customers should enter into new Select version 5.0 agreements near July 2002 to take the most advantage of the future upgrade protection of Upgrade Advantage purchases.
But Gartner still says customers should keep the heat on Microsoft to change the new licensing agreement again. Microsoft has already backpedaled on the 6.0 licensing twice since announcing it in May.
"Maintain pressure on Microsoft for further changes -- particularly the requirement to have to repurchase a license if the enterprise does not purchase SA [Software Assurance] -- for lowering SA's price," writes Gartner's software asset management analyst Alvin Park.
About the Author
Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.