Why You Shouldn't Always Trust What Your Software Vendor Tells You About Your License Position

In the complex world of software licensing, it’s easy to assume that your software vendor has your best interests at heart. After all, they're the ones who created the software, so they must know everything about its licensing, right?

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. As the RVP of Sales at Flexera, I've seen firsthand how organizations can be misled about their license position, sometimes with costly consequences.

The Misconception

Many organizations must be made aware that their software vendors have a complete and accurate picture of their license compliance. The reality, however, is far more nuanced. Software licensing is a complex beast, with many factors influencing your compliance position.

Vendor Challenges & Tactics

Normalization across extensive portfolios, special terms and conditions, and software bundles make it difficult for even the most well-intentioned vendors to get it right. Additionally, some vendors may employ tactics that can intentionally obscure your true license position.

• Removing software license keys: This can make it difficult to track your installations and usage.
• Multi-dependencies in licensing terms: Complex licensing terms can be intentionally confusing, making it challenging to understand your compliance obligations.

Whether intentional or not, these tactics can lead to organizations being over-licensed, non-compliant, or both.

The Cost of Over-Trusting

Over-trusting your software vendor can be a costly mistake. We've encountered numerous customers who were told they owed millions of dollars in back licensing fees, only to discover, after a thorough audit, that this wasn't true.

Flexera's Solution

At Flexera, we specialize in helping organizations gain control of their software estate and optimize their software spend. Our industry-leading solutions provide a comprehensive view of your software landscape, allowing you to:

• Take an accurate inventory count across your entire estate: On-premise, cloud, virtualized environments, even short-lived containers.
• Correlate purchase history, license terms and conditions, installations, and adherence to product use rights: We help you make sense of the complexities.

Practical Tips

Here are some practical tips to help you better manage your software licenses and avoid compliance issues:

• Conduct your own audit: Before agreeing to settle any compliance issues, conduct your own audit to verify your vendor's claims.
• Don't rely solely on your vendor: Utilize software asset management tools to gain an independent view of your license position.
• Seek expert advice: If you're unsure about your compliance status, consult with a software licensing expert.

Remember: It's your responsibility to ensure your organization is properly licensed. Don't blindly trust your software vendor - take control of your software estate and optimize your software spend with Flexera.

#softwarelicensing #softwareassetmanagement #compliance #Flexera