Failing the Licensing Test? -- Redmondmag.com

Barney's Blog

Failing the Licensing Test?

OK, so my first item is pretty positive about Microsoft. Lest you think I'm a mindless Redmond apologist, allow me to talk about licensing for a bit.

I think Microsoft's licensing plans are purposely complex. Like legal documents that only a lawyer can understand, you need a Microsoft rep to explain how its licensing works, and I doubt that more than a handful of those really understand it all. That complexity gives Microsoft control -- it can lead you to the deal it wants you to make.

Now there's apparently even more confusion, this time relating to Microsoft's licensing Web sites that were redesigned last year. Customers are having problems logging in, and once in, often have trouble finding their accounts or accessing features that used to be a cinch. Microsoft says only a portion of customers have these problems and the issues are being addressed.

If there's one group you don't want to irritate, it's volume customers. What do you think of Microsoft licensing? Do you have any special negotiating techniques you'd like to share? Send answers to both to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on 01/13/2010 at 1:17 PM

Featured

Microsoft Graph 'Activity Logs' Feature Goes Live

Microsoft announced the general availability of the "activity logs" capability in Microsoft Graph, giving administrators more options to track user activity and identify patterns of potential misuse.
Fallout from Microsoft's 'Midnight Blizzard' Saga Hits Feds

When the Russian attack group Midnight Blizzard successfully breached Microsoft corporate e-mail accounts late last year, it apparently managed to steal U.S. government agency e-mails, too.
PowerShell Script Used in Phishing Attack May Be AI-Generated

A PowerShell script being used in a novel malware campaign may have been created by AI, according to security researchers at Proofpoint.
Using Microsoft Office to Build a Network Diagram, Part 1

Keeping documentation is a great way to ease your future hardware refresh and have what you need for insurance purposes.
Microsoft Claims Breakthrough in Quantum Computing Reliability

A new paper details Microsoft's recent progress in quantum computing -- specifically, its development of a system that is both significantly less prone to errors and better at correcting them.