Software Audits

[bazmlb]

An pdf about how to keep your company safe during the crackdown.

I also had a look at what a small business would be up for if they purchase under Microsofts Volume license program, 10 users 1 server with email.

Keep_Your_Company_Safe_During_the_Software_Piracy_Crackdown.pdf

[monty]

I can kind of see why piracy is wide spread over here!

12,500 US$

over 400,000 Baht...

Even for home users, WinXP pro and office pro together are over 20,000 Baht, likely a fair bit more then the actual PC costs...

Not condoning piracy of course, just one of the reasons I run Linux on most of my business computers...

[bazmlb]

The 400,000 with Volume license leaves out the 300,000 remaining to pay over 5 years too for software assurance allowing for upgrades.

Note: OEM licenses cant be transferred to another machine after they have been installed on one. Get a new machine get a new license, volume licensing avoids this and you can upgrade hardware.

[Samuian]

The 400,000 with Volume license leaves out the 300,000 remaining to pay over 5 years too for software assurance allowing for upgrades.

Note: OEM licenses cant be transferred to another machine after they have been installed on one. Get a new machine get a new license, volume licensing avoids this and you can upgrade hardware.

Still ridiculous, if one takes the annual turnover of small business ans normal annual income under consideration!

It's open street robbery!

Thanxz to the almighty Linux, Ubuntu and Open Office, Firefox, Opera and the whole Freeware scene!

[surface]

Still ridiculous, if one takes the annual turnover of small business ans normal annual income under consideration!

It's open street robbery!

Thanxz to the almighty Linux, Ubuntu and Open Office, Firefox, Opera and the whole Freeware scene!

I don't think it's all that ridiculous, especially when you consider SBS which has quite a bit at a decent price.

SBS 2008 (includes 5 CAL's) - $800

SBS 2008 5 CAL's - $350

OS - should come on new computer - perhaps $100 MS tax there. $100 x 10 - $1,000

MS Office Standard 2007 - 10 retail copies $438 * 5 = $4,380

In total that's $6,530 in MS software for 10 users for 6+ years (Small businesses don't need to upgrade that frequently).

This comes out to $108/year per user (3,500 baht). If this is breaking the bank at your business, I'm thinking your money would be better in a savings account earning 1%.

Edit: IMO Software Assurance has been shown to be a bad investment, and not at all worth it for a small business.