Adding to the oft-referenced list of things IT managers cannot avoid, including death, taxes and system crashes, software makers and industry watchdogs have identified yet another duty not to be overlooked -- software audits.

In an effort to reduce the amount of unlicensed, or pirated, software running on corporate desktops and servers, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and software vendor Microsoft Corp. are taking steps to encourage small and medium-sized companies to better manage the programs that end up on their computer systems.

"The bedrock of all this is: Do an audit," said Anne Kelley, a senior attorney with Microsoft who specializes in anti-piracy efforts.

The BSA, an industry trade group representing some of the world's largest software vendors, has been increasing its efforts to get corporations to investigate the software running on their computers and identify products that are not covered by an adequate license. On Monday it launched its latest "software truce" campaign to allow businesses to self audit their systems and report violations without facing penalties. Its Web site is filled with tips and tools for managing software.

"We really are about trying to get business to simply add software management to their corporate checklist," said Bob Kruger, vice president of enforcement for the BSA. "Many companies are used to paying their taxes, and obeying EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) laws. We're saying, 'make sure you've got a system in place to manage software.'"

Properly maintaining corporate computers is an important part of an IT manager's duties. With the fluctuation of employees and the added complexity of installing new computers at branch offices that can be spread around the world, rogue versions of software often find their way onto a desktop or server. Likewise, some companies may be paying for more versions of a software product than they actually use.

Microsoft and the BSA say they can offer tools and assistance to help IT mangers create the policies and procedures necessary to stay within the law and within their budgets. Software audit tools, for example, are available for free download from the BSA and Microsoft's Web sites. "The audit tool is really designed to tell you what software programs you have installed on you computers," Kruger said. "In addition, you've also got to go to your file cabinet and make sure you have licenses."

In addition to awareness programs from trade groups like the BSA, Microsoft's legal department continually sends out letters to its business customers asking them to conduct internal software audits. While those in the industry say it is a key part in reducing the billions of dollars lost every year to software piracy, some businesses haven't reacted well to what they see as Microsoft's invasive attempts to police its own customers.

"Being in the software business, I have no problem with licenses and no problem with paying for licenses," said Bill Campbell, president of software consulting and services firm Celestial Systems Inc. of Mercer Island, Washington, who has received such letters from Microsoft at his company. "But

• Email
• Print
• Share
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Stumble
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine