Help From Microsoft With Software Management

Businesses Get Help From Microsoft With Software Management

Self-auditing is the first step to ensure businesses are legally licensed.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Tuesday, March 6, 2001 - Microsoft today launched a program for New Zealand businesses, to assist in software management. This program is designed to assist businesses audit their software assets and understand software licensing parameters as well as the risks associated with software piracy. Software piracy rates in New Zealand stand at 31 per cent and cause the New Zealand economy an annual loss of approximately $41 million.

This program follows feedback received by Microsoft from businesses, explaining the difficulties they experience in ensuring licensing compliance and their need for help in software management. As part of the launch, Microsoft New Zealand is sending every eligible customer (initially those with between 50 and 500 PCs) a transcript of their Microsoft software license purchase history. Microsoft will follow up directly with these organisations to assist them with their own internal software audit.

In addition, the directors of these businesses will receive information on software management and copyright infringement as well as resources for their organisation to complete a self-audit of their software assets. This will help them gauge their current risk of copyright infringement. If an organisation assesses itself as medium or high-risk, it is advised to undertake a professional audit. Selected Microsoft Certified Partners offer software management services and licensing expertise to assist in developing a plan for their customers to achieve compliance.

"Software piracy and violation of intellectual property rights is a serious issue. Companies using illegal software don't have the support entitlements or built-in security measures that legal software offers, putting the integrity of their own operations at risk and causing channel partners and local software developers to lose out," said Alex Morcom, Channel and Business Group Manager, Microsoft New Zealand.

"That said, the use of illegal software is often unintentional and businesses frequently find it hard to track software licensing. Many New Zealand companies find it difficult to sustain an in-house IT resource to manage their software assets. Microsoft's compliance program caters to their needs by providing tools to help them quickly, easily and comprehensively audit their software assets. We hope that businesses will take advantage of this support and ensure they are adequately licensed."

Microsoft will also be working with New Zealand businesses to improve their software management skills and understanding of the risks of software piracy.

About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.

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