Licensing has been around since the introduction of BC10 software on MD110. There is often confusion surrounding what you can and cannot do and who can do what. We are outlining some clarifications on licensing with regard to the products you own and retain the right to use (RTU). Licenses do not expire as such, but they are phased out in accordance with the vendors product roadmap management. In those cases upgrades are offered to customers.
The biggest issue that is reported is that users who want to add licenses after a version has been phased out are unable to expand on their present version and find it necessary to upgrade.
Always check you know the active lifecycle of a license you are purchasing.
With a movement towards software based solutions vendors are focusing on similar models to the IT world in orderto provide revenue streams to support their business revenue model.
Software assurance is to all intent and purpose an option that should be positioned via your service provider who will then set up the necessary agreement with the vendor( Aastra). To many it seems an additional service cost but it should not be positioned like that?
But what is it and what is and what is different about it and a maintenance agreement?
This is a presentation on what software assurance is about... from the vendor perspective (presentation pdf).
Our interpretation is that bug fixes are part of a standard maintenance contract, the additional software assurance offer is a time bound upgrade contract.
We would encourage you to discuss your maintenance / support needs with your supplier in order to understand what options you have going forward.
TIP... make sure you are aware of the entire cost. That should include a cost of implementation from the service provider
Latest brochure (circa dec 2009) on licensing is now available that explains the software assurance offer. (brochure).
All we can recommend is that you make sure you are fully aware of what you are being offered (i.e. upgrade project costs are normally not included) and if entering a time bounded offer for upgrades, vendor/supplier delays should be reflected in that agreement appropriately.