Software licensing
Software licensing can be a contentious and complex area for IT managers, but is essential to getting value from your software investments. While new models such as software as a service (SaaS), open source and freeware offer new ways to source software, auditing and compliance for your existing software estate remain an important part of IT governance. We analyse the latest trends in this important field.
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News
03 Sep 2024
Swedish law firms debate AI’s future impact on profession
Swedish law firms examine the use of artificial intelligence in their businesses as the sector sees a surge in take-up Continue Reading
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E-Zine
16 Jan 2023
CW EMEA: Protecting the privacy of schoolchildren
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at how schools in Germany have stopped using Microsoft Office 365 over lack of clarity over how data is collected, shared and used. We also delve into how former UK spy boss Richard Dearlove leaked names of MI6 secret agent recruiters in China to back an aggressive right-wing US campaign against tech company Huawei. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2019
Google slams public cloud rivals over 'mistreatment' of open source community
Google Cloud has committed to forging closer ties with the open source community, while hitting out at its competitors for not doing enough to support it Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2019
Why you need to link licensing tools to HR
IT can be pretty good at setting up a PC for a new joiner, but what happens when someone leaves? How do you delete their cloud access? Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2019
Welsh government buys Microsoft Office 365 for teachers and pupils
The Welsh government will provide Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus across 1,521 maintained schools in Wales Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2019
Consumers still important as Dutch satnav pioneer maps B2B future
TomTom is focusing on the business-to-business sector, but its consumer base is an important part of its strategy Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2019
Middle East countries accelerate quantum computing research
Gulf countries must invest in quantum computing research to ensure they continue to to remain digital pioneers Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2019
The web turns 30: from proposal to pervasion
The web is celebrating its 30th anniversary, but can it remain true to its founder’s vision? Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2019
Choosing the right kind of hybrid cloud management
We look at the various factors businesses should consider when looking to solve their cloud management problems Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Feb 2019
Counting the costs of IaaS and SaaS
Cost management is a priority for organisations seeking to use infrastructure and software as a service Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2019
Redis Labs swaps out open source to protect against public clouds
While Redis remain open source, higher value modules are now covered by a commercial agreement which limits commercialisation of Redis-based products Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Feb 2019
Steering a safe course through hybrid cloud
We look at why hybrid cloud can create a tricky infrastructure to manage Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2019
Coders and developers: The new heroes of the network?
Cisco is moving towards a software-based future. We chatted to Susie Wee, founder and leader of Cisco developer and innovation programme, DevNet, to find out how she is helping to enable this change Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2019
Australian government turns to Rimini Street for software support
A slew of Australian government agencies have switched out SAP and Oracle maintenance contracts for third-party support services Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2019
Google petitions Supreme Court to reconsider Android Java ruling
Google’s legal chief claims Oracle’s copyright ruling on Java software interfaces will damage software development Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2019
AWS pushes MongoDB compatible alternative as licences change
They probably didn't see that coming... MongoDB's switch to server-side licensing may have backfired, as AWS launches an API-compatible version Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2019
Microsoft takes community approach to artificial intelligence in Sweden
Microsoft is making increasing use of artificial intelligence in Sweden as it shares experiences with the development community Continue Reading
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News
01 Jan 2019
SAP user group’s Cooper: Indirect licensing progress welcome but slow
SAP UK&I User Group chair Paul Cooper on the state of play between SAP and users: sanguine about end of ECC6; S/4 adoption growth steady, indirect licensing still an issue; and C/4 remains unknown Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
Microsoft raises cloud prices for Australian enterprise customers
Despite the price hike, Microsoft claims its Azure service remains competitively priced, with opportunities for additional savings Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2018
Asean firms dive into microservices for competitive edge
While microservices has become a buzzword linked with digital transformation, it is no magic bullet for development woes Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
How to manage software auditor independence
A recent report has shown that the Big Four audit firms often work for the major software providers to conduct software licence audits Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Nov 2018
Tips for minimising the impact of the Microsoft Office price rise
Microsoft has “adjusted” prices with Office 2019, making it more expensive to buy on-premise versions of its products Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2018
Questions raised over Big Four auditors' licence independence
The very firms responsible for statutory audits are also being hired by software providers to conduct software licence audits, leading to questions raised in the industry about conflicts of interest Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2018
Microsoft forces price hike on budget-constrained councils
The October 2018 price hike for Microsoft Office 2019 will badly affect local governments, leading Socitm to urge Microsoft to reconsider Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2018
Office 365 users locked out by authentication failure
Multifactor authentication aims to protect users’ security, but many woke up this morning to find they could no longer access Microsoft 365 Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Oct 2018
Are SAP’s indirect use charges legal?
The German legal system is examining whether SAP can legitimately charge for indirect access to its software from a third-party application Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
There is more to fintech than meets the eye
Financial technology goes way beyond the flashy apps facing consumers and into the depths of the back office Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2018
Should you pay or should you go for free open source software?
Open source software is free, but many businesses are happy to pay for support. This model tends not to scale well, however, making wider deployment expensive. We weigh up the options Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2018
Dropping commercial open source lowers PaaS costs at Fidelity
Investment company Fidelity has created an on-premise PaaS for its in-house developer teams using the open source Cloud Foundry platform Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2018
Keeping Commvault on its toes in ASEAN
Backup and data protection software supplier is going after mid-sized companies and renewing its focus on partners to make deeper inroads in Southeast Asia Continue Reading
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24 Sep 2018
Tips on reducing unnecessary cloud service costs
As IT departments prepare their 2019 budgets, we assess how to avoid paying too much for cloud services. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
Fair trade software on the agenda but Dutch businesses not ready to buy it
There is already free trade chocolate and coffee on supermarket shelves, but two Dutch tech entrepreneurs are trying to add free trade software to the mix Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2018
Foreshadow mitigation obscures licensing impact
Performance of virtual machines could be severely affected by the workaround for Intel’s latest processor flaw. To compensate, more processors will be needed Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2018
Growing reliance on cloud will need tighter IT management
By 2022, over $1.3tn will be spent on cloud computing and related services globally, and IT leaders will need to figure out how to manage it all Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2018
Tech Nation startup programme demonstrates richness of UK fintech
A Tech Nation programme to support the UK's financial technology startups demonstrates the increasingly diverse range of business-to-business products and services available through the country's fintech community Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2018
Software maintenance contracts lack scrutiny
Paying a fifth of the original software contract value every year for support, big fixes and updates does not seem like good value for money Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2018
Arriva ITSM implementation delivers beyond expectations
Transport company replaces several tools with a single cloud-based ITSM platform Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2018
The fintech startups to watch in the UK
Tech Nation’s choice of fintech companies to back reflects the changes expected to hit financial services IT Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2018
How Imperial Brands is taking control of its software licences
Central control gives the tobacco company the data required to manage software licences and ensure it pays only for the assets it needs Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2018
Tips on reducing unnecessary cloud service costs
As IT departments prepare their 2019 budgets, we assess how to avoid paying too much for cloud services Continue Reading
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E-Zine
14 Aug 2018
Cyber attackers target infrastructure
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out about the growing sophistication of cyber attackers who specialise in industrial control systems. They are fast, efficient and able to move between IT and OT environments. We also discover how few businesses in general are reporting cyber crime, as they should. The issue also tracks Google’s playing court to the C-suite, with respect to cloud computing. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2018
Utilita Energy supplier uses cloud to rapidly scale IT service desk
Energy provider Utilita Energy puts its IT service management in the cloud to support its rapid growth Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Jul 2018
Intellectual property in an AI world
The controversial European Copyright Directive has gone back to the drawing board, but it raises important questions about the use of artificial intelligence in protecting individual rights Continue Reading
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24 Jul 2018
Oracle’s deal with Chile should go global
UK Oracle users may eventually see the ripple effect of a court ruling in a country almost 7,500 miles away. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
24 Jul 2018
Building intelligent aircraft engines with AI and analytics
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to UK manufacturer Rolls-Royce about using artificial intelligence, sensor technology and data analytics to build intelligent aircraft engines. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the next generation of desktop IT. And we ask whether a court ruling in Chile could lead to a worldwide change in Oracle’s software licensing practices. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Brussels aims to become an insurtech hub
Belgian capital is calling on startups as it eyes up the huge opportunities in the insurance technology sector Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Cloud sales stoke Microsoft’s strong growth
Microsoft says cloud-based Office products made a huge contribution to sales growth Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2018
Oracle’s deal with Chile should go global
UK Oracle users may eventually see the ripple effect of a court ruling in a country almost 7,500 miles away Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2018
Investment flows into Nordic startups from all directions
The Nordic tech startup scene is attracting funding from a variety of sources, with private equity firms, banks and traditional IT companies all keen to put money in Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Jun 2018
Why software giants are failing
Oracle’s latest financial results illustrate that the core businesses of many of the software behemoths of the past are under strain Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2018
Tips on reducing IT expenditure
There is constant pressure for IT to reduce cost and do more with less. Computer Weekly explores how this is being achieved in practice Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2018
IT teams should rework supplier contracts to free up budgets
There is no money for IT to help the business to innovate digitally, so CIOs should look at how their IT teams can maximise value from existing contracts, survey shows Continue Reading
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E-Zine
12 Jun 2018
How National Geographic uses tech to captivate its audience
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how the world-famous National Geographic magazine is adapting to the digital age and using technology to better engage its audience. We ask what Microsoft’s $7.6bn acquisition of GitHub means for the open source community. And our latest buyer’s guide looks at the trends in developer tools. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2018
APAC remains a hotbed for software piracy
The Asia-Pacific region is still seeing the highest use of unlicensed software installations globally, making enterprises more susceptible to cyber attacks from malware Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2018
Medical firm puts vTax and SAN to sleep to save £30,000 with Scale
Penlon replaces HPE servers and storage and VMware virtualisation to escape the high costs of licensing, and deploys Scale Computing hyper-converged appliances at two UK datacentres Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2018
European CIOs establish committee to drive IT value in business
Technology Business Council creates a European arm to help CIOs get the best value and efficiency from their IT assets Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2018
IT professionals distrust their main suppliers, survey shows
IT providers are restricting the ability of businesses to innovate, with many IT pros feeling that suppliers deliver poor value, especially on upgrades, a Cogeco Peer 1 survey reveals Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 May 2018
Crypto gold rush days are numbered
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how cryptocurrency miners are using colocation providers to help scale up their operations, drive profits and boost resiliency – for however long the boom may last. We also look at the changes SAP has made to its licensing model to clarify the issue of indirect access and consider what the cloud domination of Amazon, Google and Microsoft means for smaller cloud suppliers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
ServiceNow buys into SaaS licensing to drive digitisation
The cloud-based service management company has extended its reach in IT asset management to help businesses optimise cloud subscriptions Continue Reading
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24 Apr 2018
SAP bids to modernise indirect licensing arrangements with new pricing model
SAP has announced a new pricing model for indirect licensing scenarios that has been welcomed by user groups, who are still pressing for reassurance that they won’t pay more. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
24 Apr 2018
London plans to be a smarter city
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we meet the first ever chief digital officer for London, Theo Blackwell, and find out about his plans for making the capital a smarter city. SAP has overhauled its controversial indirect licensing policy – we look at the implications for users. What are the jobs of the future in retail as the sector is transformed by technology? We ask the experts. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Apr 2018
How SAP’s digital access licence influences your ERP strategy
Following the high-profile legal cases against brewers Diageo and Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAP has brought some clarity over indirect access to its core ERP system Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
SAP bids to modernise indirect licensing with new pricing model
SAP has announced a new pricing model for indirect licensing scenarios that has been welcomed by user groups, who are still pressing for reassurance that they won’t pay more Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Apr 2018
Technology is a lifesaver for NHS Blood and Transplant
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the CDO of the NHS’s blood and transplant agency about how digital transformation is proving to be a real lifesaver. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the state of public cloud. And we find out how Ireland is expecting a Brexit dividend to boost its tech sector when the UK leaves the EU. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Mar 2018
SAP licensing – reassuringly expensive?
SAP’s recent settlement with AB InBev has again put audits and licensing under the spotlight. We look at how to get the best value and avoid fines Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2018
AB InBev settles out of court in $600m SAP licensing dispute
SEC filing reveals that brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev has come to an agreement with SAP over the ERP provider's under-licensing claim Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
Big 10 open source companies give users a licence reprieve
With the roll-out of GNU GPL 3.0 open source licensing, the industry is expecting discrepancies, and hopes an open discussion will help to debug it Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Mar 2018
How to make the most of your SAP licences
There is no point in paying for something you never use – or worse, using the wrong licence. Doing the bare minimum for SAP licence management is not enough Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
How to improve SAP ROI with smart licensing
A recent study suggested most SAP projects have a 50% chance of failure. The risk of having incorrect SAP licensing could be far higher Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
Hershey’s outsources SAP roll-out to Accenture
US chocolate maker has signed up Accenture to support its SAP Hana S/4 implementation Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
Yorkshire Building Society implements cloud banking platform
Yorkshire Building Society is using a cloud-based banking platform built on Salesforce.com to automate manual tasks Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2018
French technology startups are forging ahead – but how?
France has sprung to the forefront of the international tech startup scene. How has this happened, and what's next for French tech firms? Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Feb 2018
How to achieve a healthy, balanced relationship with your ERP provider
Observing the enterprise software market today is like observing a major relationship crisis where one side is failing to listen to the other Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2018
Robots are needed to manage the automation robots
The next decade will see robots transform from invisible forces obeying our commands to lifelike objects interacting with humans on a daily basis Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Modern methodology gives Sweden’s 100-year-old SKF a digital push
Long-established engineering company takes a leaf out of the startup guide to software development Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2018
Demand for cloud services drives increase in IT outsourcing
Cloud services spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa offset a drop in traditional IT outsourcing in 2017 Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2018
Financial savings just the beginning for CIOs who understand code quality
Businesses need to understand the quality of the code in their applications if they are to avoid unnecessary costs and glitches Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2017
Top 10 enterprise IT in the Nordics stories in 2017
The Nordic region might be best known in IT circles for its startup communities – but it has much more to offer Continue Reading
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E-Zine
19 Dec 2017
Navigating through digital change
In this week’s Computer Weekly, IT leaders share the lessons learned and discuss best practice in digital transformation. We find out how SAP is addressing customer concerns about its indirect licensing policies. And we assess whether SME IT suppliers are making headway in selling to government CIOs. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2017
Mayor of London opens Bangalore office to strengthen links with Indian businesses
City of London’s office in India’s tech hub aims to promote Indian investment and IT jobs in UK capital Continue Reading
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E-Zine
05 Dec 2017
What lessons can be learned from Britain’s smartest city?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we visit Bristol, ranked as the UK’s top smart city, to find out what it’s learned and what’s coming next in the city’s technology plans. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the emerging area of software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN). And we trace the evolution of open source as more organisations contribute code to the community. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2017
SAP indirect access: Prepare for the impact on third-party applications
SAP is acting in an anti-competitive manner and could be in breach of the US Sherman Act, according to a Duke University School of Law professor Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2017
From consumers to contributors: The evolution of open source in the enterprise
The use of open source software is commonplace in enterprises, but many organisations are still reluctant to contribute their own code, despite the benefits it can bring Continue Reading
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E-Zine
12 Sep 2017
IT transformation takes the lead at Dogs Trust
In this week's Computer Weekly, we speak to the head of IT at the Dogs Trust about its use of cloud computing and data analytics. We also look at the societal challenges of AI and investigate how to get a good Office 365 deal. Plus our buyer's guide checks out DevOps tools. Download the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2017
Top tips to avoid a costly Office 365 subscription bill
The Office 365 cloud-based productivity suite is Microsoft’s next strategic platform. We explore the licensing implications Continue Reading
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E-Zine
25 Jul 2017
How the DVLA is making driving digital
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we hear from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about how it is becoming a digital hub for motoring and moving away from its legacy IT. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the future of data management. And we look at the importance of understanding the small print in your software licensing agreements. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2017
Why company directors need to focus on software licensing small print
Heads of businesses risk breaching the Companies Act, fines, or a possible jail sentence if they fail to take software licensing risks into account Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2017
Pirated software used to spread malware in APAC
A regional study by a Singapore university has found that counterfeit software distributed through discs and file-sharing networks is plagued by malware Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2017
DevOps practitioners open up about enterprise adoption challenges
Ahead of next week’s DevOps Enterprise Summit in London, practitioners have warned enterprises to stop thinking of DevOps as something only Silicon Valley firms and startups can do successfully Continue Reading
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E-Zine
30 May 2017
Quantum computing drives the future for Volkswagen
In this week’s Computer Weekly, Volkswagen’s global CIO explains how the car giant is using quantum computing to drive the future of transport. We examine how to make data analytics programmes work and deliver business value. And SAP’s CEO reacts to controversy around the software supplier’s indirect licensing policies that led to recent high-profile court cases. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2017
SAP aligns with Saudi Arabia’s IT transformation agenda
Global software giant SAP sees an opportunity for its wide portfolio in Saudi Arabia as the Middle Eastern country transforms Continue Reading
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E-Zine
18 May 2017
CW ASEAN: Rise of the machines
In this month’s CW ASEAN, we look at how artificial intelligence and machine learning is improving the way ASEAN businesses fend off cyber attacks and better predict how customers react to various marketing efforts. The growing interest in AI in the region has also spawned start-ups such as Singapore’s Adatos, which is pushing the bar by using declassified methodologies and software used by US defense and intelligence communities to produce data-driven insights. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
05 May 2017
SAP goes after world’s largest brewing company in $600m licence dispute
Belgian brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev says it intends to defend “vigorously” against software licensing claims by SAP Continue Reading
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E-Zine
25 Apr 2017
Blockchain expands reach beyond finance
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how blockchain, the distributed ledger technology behind bitcoin, is extending its reach beyond financial services into new industries such as healthcare, energy and education. We hear from software developers about the pros and cons of componentizing application software. And we examine what a recent court case shows about Oracle’s controversial software licensing policies. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2017
How Dutch university quickly connected thousands of students to new learning management system
Dutch university TU Delft is replacing its legacy learning management system after 17 years Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2017
How Oracle tackles licensing discrepancies
The recent publication of court filings from a licence dispute case shows a catalogue of 'damaging' techniques the supplier used following an audit Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Apr 2017
Virtual reality in healthcare
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how virtual reality technology is starting to be used to improve health and patient care. We examine the new UK tax laws that are causing IT contractors to quit government digital projects. And we analyse the software licensing issues arising from SAP’s recent court case over indirect access to its applications. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
28 Feb 2017
Navigating software licences
In this week’s Computer Weekly, after SAP won a court case against a major customer, Diageo, over £58m in charges for indirect use of its software, we look at what this means for users. We talk to the IT consultancy that recruits only autistic IT professionals. And we look at the CIO’s big challenges for the year and find out what CEOs expect of their IT leaders. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2017
Santander bank to work with IBM developing mobile apps for staff
Santander bank wants to make its staff more productive through mobile apps, which it will create alongside IBM Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Feb 2017
Software asset management maturity in the age of SaaS
For asset tracking, software as a service is no different from any other type of software licensing – but the process of software asset management needs adapting Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2017
High Court rules for SAP, against Diageo in indirect licensing case
Judge rejects Diageo’s submission that SAP PI is a “gatekeeper” licence for gaining access to the SAP suite of applications and database Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2017
Singapore and Indonesia stand out for IT spend in Apac banking sector
Singapore is the top spender on IT for banking of all developed economies in the Apac region, while Indonesia has the fastest growth rate in IT spending Continue Reading