Competitors See Opening in Licensing

Perceiving an opening created by controversial new Microsoft licensing policies, competitors are touting their own software licensing plans as less expensive and easier to understand. These competitors might convince a few customers to look at alternatives to Microsoft by keeping the focus on the company’s new Licensing 6.0 plans after a transition that Microsoft admits was rocky. The flap could benefit customers if Microsoft tries to regain control of the story by sweetening its licensing programs or including other benefits, such as product support, that aren’t currently linked to product licensing and upgrade rights.

Licensing Changes Spur Search for Alternatives

The move to Licensing 6.0, which cancelled many upgrade discounts and went through a changing series of deadlines, irked some customers. For example, 40% of the respondents of a recent survey by the Yankee Group say that the new licensing plans have made them consider alternatives to Microsoft, such as Linux or the Macintosh.