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• August 01, 2002 •
Today marks the start of the Microsoft Licensing 6.0 scheme, which was originally scheduled to come into effect October 1st 2001.
Licensing 6.0 came under heavy criticism almost as soon as it was first announced. Many companies are resenting the fact that the new licensing scheme requires lengthy contracts, and in effect raises prices by up to 107 percent - according to some reports.
Under Licensing 6, there's an option to sign up for Software Assurance. Under the SA program, customers acquire the right to install any new release of products released during the term of their agreement (2- or 3-years). There is no real alternative to this option other then to resort to paying full price for new software on your own chosen schedule. Many companies found that no matter which option they will choose, they will end up paying more than with their previous license deal.
The research firm Gartner published some advice on how to "Win Better Discounts on Microsoft Version 6 Agreements".
More information about Licensing 6 can be found on Microsoft's Licensing site.
