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08 Jun 2009
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The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has joined forces with London-based resellers Softcat, Bytes Software Services and CTMS in an effort to rid London of illegal software.
The anti-piracy body has begun a two-month elimination campaign and the trio of software asset management specialists will offer consultancy to assist businesses in managing their software assets.
The organisation will be directly contacting more than 1,000 firms in the London area offering a software health check and encouraging them to complete a self-audit form.
Further reading
Alyna Cope, spokesperson for the BSA country committee, said: “In a time when mergers and acquisitions are on the increase, companies may find themselves with too many software licences or not enough. The new microsite explains what steps to take to complete the audit form, the benefits, and suggests long-term strategies.
“We will offer guidance and the extra support of the channel if needed. Now is the time to get your estate in order.”
Cope said companies may find completing an audit form daunting, so the BSA will arrange a meeting with a reseller if requested.
“We will act as an enforcement body to eliminate illegal software but also as an education body to ensure, with the help of the channel, that long-term procedures are put in place,” she added.
Dave Simpson, commercial director at Softcat, said: “We were chosen because we are approved by Microsoft and recognised as having a SAM practice as part of our business.
“Softcat starts by letting customers know if they are compliant or not through a self audit and effective licence position service. The majority of time is spent putting long-term procedures in place to make sure they have the correct portfolio of licences.”
The campaign was launched as new figures reveal London is responsible for more reports of software piracy than anywhere else in the UK, with one in five pieces of software in the capital being used illegally.
Research from market watcher IDC revealed London businesses are installing pirated software worth £149m each year. The London crackdown follows similar campaigns in illegal software hotspots Glasgow and Manchester.
The BSA is already investigating several organisations in the London area which are facing legal proceedings for unlicensed software use.
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Do you agree?
The BSA has been painted with an "evil" brush (editorial)...
Over the years, the BSA has been painted with an "evil" brush.
Sometimes this reputation is warranted, sometimes it is not.
Regardless, I would recommend caution when dealing with the BSA, on this particular issue. If for no other reason, the facts as they exist, right now, don't exactly "paint" a picture of BSA's "good nature" on this topic.
The BSA is a trade organization, who's sole purpose is to represent the best interests of large software organizations. (This is not subjective. This is fact.)
Thus, having the BSA "help your organization with a self-audit, and offering to come on-site with their representatives" causes me to pause and ponder the phrase...
"... the wolf guarding the hen house."
Two main points here...
1. I'm not saying the BSA is bad, good or indifferent. I'm simply saying, they are entirely motivated by serving the best interests of big software firms. Through course it is reasonable to caution that they are completely UNmotivated to serve your best interests, if it works contrary to their directive.
2. Self-audits, internal audits, self-evaluations, Software Asset Management packages, internal reviews, scanning software...
All of these things are WONDERFUL, and should be incorporated into your operation, constantly.
There are many groups (ours included, though we don't operate heavily in the UK), that can aid your operation in performing self-audits.
These groups work in YOUR best interests.
Just something to consider.
Sadien Staff
Sadien, Inc.
http://www.sadien.com
Posted by Sadien | 08 Jun 2009
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