Software purchase part II


First time Software Purchase?(Cont...)

Shall we continue? If you have missed the earlier write-up on Cost of software, you can read it now and then proceed. We will begin with the facts about users and licenses.

  1. Users & License

    As mentioned earlier, the users and licenses are more relevant to client -server applications. Licenses restrict the number of user who can log on to the application. software are sold with single user or multi user licenses. Single user license will mean only one person can use the application. Multi-user is more than one user, so if we say 5 users it literally means 5 users can log on to the application and use the application. Doesn't it sound simple, but it has more to it.

    Now the multi-user license can be either concurrent or per seat. Let's understand it. Every application allows you to create users. The users type in their user ids and passwords to log on to the application.

    Concurrent User License: When we say 5 concurrent user licenses it means

    • the software can be installed in as many systems as you want.
    • you can create as many users as you want.
    • but at a given time only 5 users can log on to the application i.e. 5 users can work on the application concurrently.
    • when a 6th users tries to log in normally the application sends a message too many users.
    • the 6th user can log in only after one of the 5 users log out.

    Per Seat User License:In this case if we say 5 licenses it will mean when we say 5 concurrent user licenses it means

    • the software can be installed in as many systems as you want.
    • you can create only 5 users and not more.
    • And at a given time only 5 users can log on to the application.
    • 6th user logs in after one of the 5 users log out.

  2. Patches, Builds & Upgrades

    After the expiry of warranty of software, it is time to enter into a support contact. Always the question arises if it is required? Is it required? The software is in place, working, all well so why? What does it normally cover?

    Other than the normal context of support, the patches and builds are your liberty, when you have entered into a support contract. What this means, if you have a good technical team working and solving functional problems in house, then the support may be required to get the patches and builds, free of cost, from the vendor.

    • PATCH: Any software is likely to have bugs. Bugs are small errors that software throw. Bugs can also be some wrong logic or results from a software. Bugs may be observed as you keep using the software.
    • We should understand, though most software are tested for real life scenarios, still the bugs or errors may appear as you use the software. Small bugs, minor corrections etc to a software application is done through a patch. Patches are a part of support. So it's free. Patches can be downloaded and applied. Some software automatically download patches from web.

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