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Posted: Thu, June 19, 2008
Web probe audits companies to check software licencesA UK company is to offer the first web-based service to probe organisations' IT networks, check software licences and fix under (or over) licensing problems. The AppVelocity service, available now for approved beta users from Virtual Network Partners, will help companies tackle the growing problem of application software sprawl and avoid financial penalties of running unlicensed software. The AppVelocity service combines a well-established asset management product, with an innovative "application juke box" technology and is initiated from a remote location on the web using IP probing technology to audit a company network or group of networks, cataloguing every hardware and software asset. The audit also highlights potential breaches of security with non-authorised hardware devices and software being discovered in the process. Unlike any other service, VNP's AppVelocity can also remedy licensing problems. Once the network has been fully audited, the network manager is given options to remedy license mis-matches. For under-licensing, optimisation of properly available licences using the Application Juke Box technology from Endeavors is achieved quite simply in a very short time. Over-licensing can be remedied at the next contract review opportunity, reducing maintenance and renewals costs. Concurrent usage patterns can also be analysed, again proving a cost-reduction opportunity. "Software licensing compliance remains a major headache for IT managers, with some 26% of all software thought to be running illegally in the UK," said Warren Free, Head of Business Development of Virtual Network Partners. "Much of the unlicensed software on corporate networks is there without management's knowledge; however it remains their responsibility, with significant financial penalties for companies that do not remove it. AppVelocity also helps managers to build the business case for application streaming and centralised license management." The penalties for non-compliance range from a punitive licence upgrade (and possible lock-in) from the software vendors involved, to fines from FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) or the BSA (Business Software Alliance), through to breach of corporate protocols typified by Sarbanes Oxley, which has the capacity to bring significant disruption to the corporate governance agenda. The AppVelocity service is due to go into full release in July, with VNP seeking Beta corporate users immediately to get involved in the early roll-out. |
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