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.

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
News 06 Dec 2022
EU fails to protect human rights in surveillance tech transfers

Transfers of surveillance technology from the European Union to African governments are carried out without due regard for the human rights impacts, the European Ombudsman has found after a year-long investigation into the European Commission’s management of an aid fund Continue Reading

News 06 Dec 2022

EU fails to protect human rights in surveillance tech transfers

Transfers of surveillance technology from the European Union to African governments are carried out without due regard for the human rights impacts, the European Ombudsman has found after a year-long investigation into the European Commission’s management of an aid fund Continue Reading
News 30 Nov 2022

Microsoft 365 banned in German schools over privacy concerns

German schools cannot legally use Microsoft Office 365 over lack of clarity about how data is collected, shared and used, as well as the potential for unlawful transfer of European citizens’ personal data to the US Continue Reading
Opinion 17 Nov 2022

Gartner: Three key tasks needed to decommission applications

A guide to slimming down a full portfolio of applications that are expensive to maintain and difficult to adapt to business needs Continue Reading
News 03 Nov 2022

Russia risks shortage of PCs and software

Russian consumers and businesses could face a shortage of IT equipment including PCs and software Continue Reading
E-Zine 27 Sep 2022

Making digital a key ingredient at Mondelez

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to snack giant Mondelez, the owner of Cadbury, about how AI and data are transforming its business. SAP is increasing support costs for the first time in years – we assess the impact on customers. And a Ukrainian tech CEO tells us how his company kept going despite the Russian invasion. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 14 Sep 2022

US to see huge increase in embedded finance transactions

Retailers and other non-financial businesses are increasingly offering their customers financial services, such as credit and payment options Continue Reading
News 13 Sep 2022

Blancco works with charity to provide IT for African schools

Blancco is providing data sanitisation and erasure software to The Turing Trust so that old IT equipment can be securely reused by school children in Sub-Saharan Africa, instead of adding to world’s growing e-waste problem Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2022

Finnish AI Region drives digital growth in small businesses

Helsinki-based SMEs are being offered support and resources to help them get the best out of artificial intelligence technology to improve their operations and create services to sell Continue Reading
News 05 Jul 2022

Legacy UK customs system stops accepting registration requests

HMRC closes new applications to legacy customs system as its shutdown nears Continue Reading
News 17 Jun 2022

Fintech firm chooses Salesforce software to support growth

Revolut is to use Saleasforce software to support sales and marketing as part of its expansion plans Continue Reading
Opinion 10 Jun 2022

Government wrong to pass the buck on computer evidence reform

IT expert James Christie tells Computer Weekly why he is disappointed that the government has no plans to change the rules on the use of computer evidence in court Continue Reading
Feature 08 Jun 2022

Swedish entrepreneurs capture the world’s attention with eye-tracking technology

A growing number of killer apps are driving the uptake of eye-tracking systems – and Sweden is positioned to play a leading role Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2022

Prison and Probation Service’s tagging ambition ‘outstripped its ability to deliver’

HM Prison and Probation Service’s programme to transform the tagging of offenders has failed to deliver after software platform was scrapped Continue Reading
News 31 May 2022

Heineken puts employees in charge of their own careers with new HR system

According to Sanne Noordam, head of SAP SuccessFactors in the Netherlands, companies need to look and listen more closely to the needs of employees in order to attract and retain them Continue Reading
News 06 May 2022

How Rimini Street is growing its footprint in ASEAN

Rimini Street is expanding its reach in ASEAN as more companies, such as Malaysian carmaker Proton, look for cheaper software maintenance options Continue Reading
News 28 Mar 2022

Most big businesses are taking up banking as a service

API-based banking services allow corporate customers to offer financial services without the need for heavy tech development or regulatory approval Continue Reading
News 09 Feb 2022

How Carrefour is lowering its Oracle footprint

Migrating core business applications requires a multi-pronged approach, so what remains on-prem, and where does SaaS fit? Continue Reading
News 02 Feb 2022

Nationwide Building Society streamlines digital onboarding through API

Building society is improving its digital onboarding process through application programming interface-based technology from a US startup Continue Reading
Feature 02 Feb 2022

Finland brings cryostats and other cool things to quantum computing

Not only is Finland the clear leader in refrigeration technology for quantum computers, but it also leads in fundamental research into the underlying quantum information theory Continue Reading
News 01 Feb 2022

Dutch software engineers join campaign for research funding

Software researchers from all over Europe are sounding the alarm: to maintain a strong international competitive position, more financial resources must be committed to software research Continue Reading
News 19 Jan 2022

Twelve million jobs to be lost to automation in Europe by 2040

Millions of current jobs in Europe will be carried out by robots as software robots automate processes Continue Reading
News 13 Jan 2022

Ikano Bank’s team of robots exceeds 2021 targets

How the Swedish bank’s robotic automation project reached its time-saving target with time to spare, automating 168 processes, creating an in-house RPA team and embedding automation in every department’s thinking Continue Reading
Opinion 22 Dec 2021

A trial relying on computer evidence should start with a trial of the computer evidence

Learning from the Post Office Horizon scandal - the most widespread miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history Continue Reading
News 06 Dec 2021

European finance firms increase open banking spend

Financial services firms are increasing investment in open banking capabilities, with improvements to payment initiation and onboarding capabilities expected Continue Reading
News 16 Nov 2021

Can UAE become a world leader in AI?

The UAE has launched multiple programmes as it bids to be a world-leading location for artificial intelligence innovation Continue Reading
News 11 Nov 2021

Stockholm and Copenhagen: Different IT innovation journeys, similar success

Swedish and Danish capitals have build compelling tech startup success stories, and now rub shoulders with the likes of San Francisco Continue Reading
Blog Post 08 Oct 2021

Is it a Suite, Package, Bundle or Platform?

People have been selling collections of products and tools for centuries, and with the advent of commercial IT and off-the-shelf software, IT suppliers were quick to follow. There are various ways ... Continue Reading
News 15 Sep 2021

Nordic central banks drive fintech and digital currency

Banks are working together through a cross-border financial technology development hub Continue Reading
News 08 Sep 2021

Estonian government opens its digital heart to tech testers

Tech startups are being invited to build and test their products and services on the Estonian government’s IT estate for free, in return for use of the software developed Continue Reading
News 18 Aug 2021

Thames Valley Police drops ERP system after spending £14m

Thames Valley Police exits tri-force programme to develop new enterprise resource planning software for the police Continue Reading
News 13 Aug 2021

GoStudent: Europe’s newest edtech unicorn

Europe’s biggest ed-tech unicorn reaches unicorn status and tests sector traditions Continue Reading
News 11 Aug 2021

Global fintech investments reach new heights

The global financial technology industry is emerging from the pandemic-triggered slowdown with record levels of investment to fuel further growth Continue Reading
News 23 Jul 2021

TfL under fire for relying on Uber facial-verification data in licensing decisions

TfL is facing numerous legal appeals from Uber drivers as a result of its decisions to revoke their private licences on the basis of mistaken information from Uber’s systems Continue Reading
News 15 Jul 2021

Fintech sector continues to attract investment as Revolut hits $33bn valuation

Revolut has become the most valuable financial technology firm in the UK after its latest round of investment, with plans for a ‘superapp’ Continue Reading
News 05 Jul 2021

Klarna’s alumni thrive with new ventures after witnessing path to success

Former Klarna employees are using their experiences with the fintech giant to create the next wave of Swedish tech startups Continue Reading
News 10 May 2021

Server-side licensing leads to hike in public cloud prices

Changes made over the last year or so to protect open source revenue streams is starting to impact public cloud managed service costs Continue Reading
News 05 May 2021

Why ITAM can aid IT-fuelled business recovery

As a sense of normality returns, we look at why IT asset management is the stealth tool for clearing a path towards greater digitisation Continue Reading
News 22 Apr 2021

Grafana Labs switches open source licensing to stem strip-mining tactics

Public cloud providers have been accused of strip-mining open source products, offering them as managed services, cutting a valuable revenue Continue Reading
News 19 Apr 2021

UK fintech investment hits new heights as government announces increased support

The UK fintech sector saw high levels of investment in the first quarter of this year, with increased support from the government Continue Reading
E-Zine 13 Apr 2021

The evolution of RPA

In this week’s Computer Weekly, our latest buyer’s guide looks at the future of robotic process automation (RPA). Google’s legal victory against Oracle over the use of Java APIs has huge significance for software developers. And we find out how expectations of IT have grown as firms prepare for the post-Covid workplace. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
12 Apr 2021

US court issues Google API with Java ruling

US Supreme Court rules that specifying an API function call to enable third-party developers to access functionality should not be copyrighted Continue Reading
News 08 Apr 2021

Microsoft accused of stifling secondhand software market

In 2012, UsedSoft won a case for second user software, which has enabled the market to grow across Europe. But it is now under threat Continue Reading
News 06 Apr 2021

US court issues Google API with Java ruling

US Supreme Court rules that specifying an API function call to enable third-party developers to access functionality should not be copyrighted Continue Reading
News 05 Mar 2021

Clarification needed on IT ‘super-deduction’ allowance

Chancellor announces that companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim a ‘super-deduction’ allowance Continue Reading
Feature 22 Feb 2021

How colocation fits alongside a cloud-native architecture

IT departments are on a cloud-native roadmap to become more agile, but they are constrained by the risks involved in migrating core systems and data Continue Reading
Opinion 16 Feb 2021

Why Brexit will make software licence transfers and database copyright harder for UK firms

Brexit will make it more difficult for UK companies to sell unused software licences and to enforce their database rights in Europe. Firms will face a legislative disadvantage over AI-generated databases Continue Reading
E-Zine 09 Feb 2021

Audi fine-tunes its digital performance to boost online car sales

In this week’s Computer Weekly, the digital chief at Audi UK discusses how the carmaker is tackling the slump in new car sales. One of the largest global malware botnets has been taken down, but how much of a blow will it be for cyber criminals? And we hear how one county council made huge savings on its SAP installation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 03 Feb 2021

CIO interview: Deryck Mitchelson, director of digital, NHS Scotland

We speak to NHS Scotland’s head of digital about the IT to help ease the pressure on the health service, which has intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
News 27 Jan 2021

How Nottinghamshire County Council saved loads of money on SAP

The council was paying £100,000 a year just to keep ECC patches up to date and needed to find savings to support frontline services Continue Reading
Opinion 07 Jan 2021

The five tenets of quality ITAM

At the end of last year we looked at some of ITAM’s failings. This time we explore how to improve ITAM Continue Reading
Opinion 21 Dec 2020

HANA or ‘na’?

With alternatives abundant, many organisations are holding off on enterprise software upgrades Continue Reading
Opinion 16 Dec 2020

What is wrong with ITAM?

IT asset management should be an important pillar in an organisation's digital transformation journey, but it doesn't seem to be working Continue Reading
News 16 Dec 2020

Lancashire police integrate body-worn video into digital policing app

Body-worn video integration will transform Lancashire police’s time-consuming and manual procedures into an efficient digital workflow, but claims that BMV will increase transparency and accountability are not backed by the evidence Continue Reading
News 26 Nov 2020

Robots taking jobs, but creating careers

Robotic process automation developers tell Computer Weekly about the job they never expected to be doing Continue Reading
News 24 Nov 2020

Three options for next year’s IT strategy

CIOs are under pressure to reduce costs, but they also need to modernise applications and help their businesses return to profitability Continue Reading
News 19 Nov 2020

Cut jobs or cut software spending?

With little or no growth in IT budgets, IT chiefs will be tasked with cutting costs in 2021. Improving IT asset management can help to avoid job cuts Continue Reading
Feature 26 Oct 2020

Forrester: Why tagging should be used to manage hybrid assets

With complex hybrid environments, there is a need to apply IT asset management best practices across cloud and on-premise systems Continue Reading
E-Zine 20 Oct 2020

Why is IBM splitting in two and what does it mean for CIOs?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, IBM is splitting in two, hiving off its services business to focus on hybrid cloud – we examine what it means for CIOs. Our new buyer’s guide looks at how intelligent workload management can cut cloud complexity. And we analyse how getting backup right can help tackle ransomware threats. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 06 Oct 2020

Coronavirus raises the software audit stakes

IT asset managers say they are receiving more requests from software publishers to check for licence discrepancies Continue Reading
Blog Post 01 Oct 2020

Considerations for 2021 IT budget

With the start of the fourth quarter IT leaders are likely to be scratching their heads, to figure out where best to spend whatever IT budget has been allocated for next year. No one could have ... Continue Reading
News 29 Sep 2020

Over two million Brits using open banking

Data shows more than two million people in the UK are now taking control of their financial data through open banking Continue Reading
News 25 Sep 2020

Tips on breaking free from long-term IT contracts

Far-reaching, multi-year contracts are less popular these days, but IT departments often find the renewal date is still years away Continue Reading
News 22 Sep 2020

Green Cargo extends Rimini contract to keep legacy SAP backend running

Mainframe and SAP to provide systems of record, with real-time data for new digitisation initiatives, built on multi-cloud, RPA and low-code platforms Continue Reading
News 09 Sep 2020

Hyundai-Kia expands Rimini Oracle contract to regional offices

Car manufacturer expands its existing third-party support contract. Savings will help fund autonomous and electric car development Continue Reading
News 04 Sep 2020

HotelBeds uses API management platform to reduce cost

HotelBeds has switched from its legacy suppler to a licensed service in an effort to reduce API management costs after traffic doubles Continue Reading
News 05 Aug 2020

Inside Juniper’s radical IT transformation

Western Australia’s aged care provider Juniper embarked on an aggressive strategy to completely transform its IT operations in just two years Continue Reading
News 04 Aug 2020

Nordic enterprises look for SAP price reductions as they navigate Covid-19

Businesses in the Nordics are using SAP Cloud Platform to address Covid-19 challenges and are also seeking price reductions Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2020

Private equity leads Nordic IT sector consolidation

Private equity firms and industrial giants are triggering mergers and acquisitions in the Nordic tech sector as investment slows amid the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
News 15 Jul 2020

HSBC chooses AWS for public cloud business operations

HSBC will use a cloud platform from Amazon Web Services across its business operations to accelerate its public cloud use Continue Reading
News 10 Jul 2020

Executive interview: Toyota’s Melody Ayeli on the significant role of ITAM

Melody Ayeli recently took on the post of chair of the newly formed ITAM Forum. She believes ITAM is crucial for successful IT operations Continue Reading
News 08 Jul 2020

Google commits to protecting open source projects

Initiative to trademark projects aims to stop public cloud providers from offering their own managed service version of open source code Continue Reading
News 30 Jun 2020

Economic slowdown will force CIOs to redress SaaS pricing

Business will need to work more efficiently and spend less, which means CIOs will need to forge new value-based partnerships with IT suppliers Continue Reading
News 23 Jun 2020

ITAM Forum aims to raise the bar on tech management

Knowing what is deployed is the first step in any transformation exercise, and a strong IT asset management practice lowers risk Continue Reading
News 24 Apr 2020

Coronavirus: Dutch Covid-19 tracking app stirs national debate

Privacy concerns raised over mobile app to help track and control the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands Continue Reading
News 08 Apr 2020

The growing stature of open source in APAC

From being users of open source software to contributing their own codes to the community, enterprises in Asia-Pacific are becoming active participants in the open source ecosystem Continue Reading
Feature 07 Apr 2020

How APAC firms are coping with the Covid-19 outbreak

The air of change looms large in companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region, with some doing better than others in keeping the lights on amid the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading
E-Zine 07 Apr 2020

Adapting IT to the new normal

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to four top IT leaders to find out how they are supporting their organisations through the coronavirus crisis. We look at the security best practices recommended by experts to ensure safe remote working for staff. And the CISO of Equifax explains why the firm is moving to public cloud. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 23 Mar 2020

Singapore government to open source contact-tracing protocol

Singapore’s Government Technology Agency is contributing the source codes of the BlueTrace protocol that powers its contact-tracing app Continue Reading
News 18 Mar 2020

Swedish municipalities test AI to drive efficiencies and cost savings

Research in Sweden measures the benefits of using artificial intelligence in local government operations Continue Reading
Feature 03 Mar 2020

The future of open source licences is changing

The Open Source Insider blog on Computer Weekly recently asked industry experts for their views on the future of open source licensing Continue Reading
News 23 Feb 2020

Australian government inks sourcing deal with Rimini Street

The whole-of-government agreement will provide Australian government agencies with easier and cheaper access to third-party software support Continue Reading
News 19 Feb 2020

Questions raised over Office 365 shared content policy

Buried 300 words into Microsoft’s standard service level agreement is a clause that affects intellectual property and privacy Continue Reading
10 Feb 2020

Oracle customers complain of cloud coercion

In December, Oracle won its day in court – but a poll reveals a sales tactic based on audit threats combined with heavy cloud discounts. Continue Reading
Blog Post 06 Feb 2020

The cloud deal question that follows on from an Oracle audit

On 17 December 2019, the US District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division, dismissed the 2018 class action case brought by the City of Sunrise Firefighters’ Pension Fund ... Continue Reading
News 29 Jan 2020

Oracle customers complain of cloud coercion

In December, Oracle won its day in court – but a poll reveals a sales tactic based on audit threats combined with heavy cloud discounts Continue Reading
News 16 Jan 2020

Lloyds Banking Group to create digital workplace with Microsoft

Bank is transforming how its staff work as part of a multibillion-pound digital transformation Continue Reading
News 15 Jan 2020

Government distances itself from Post Office decisions in Horizon IT litigation

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy says it did not make decisions in the Post Office’s recent court battle Continue Reading
News 15 Jan 2020

Royal Bank of Canada gives Mencap a ‘leg-up’ in automating processes

UK charity gets help from Canadian bank in a collaboration aimed at creating a robotic workforce Continue Reading
News 07 Jan 2020

With friends like AWS, who needs an open source business?

AWS executive’s remarks over the company’s exploitation of open source has put a question mark over the viability of open source businesses Continue Reading
News 18 Dec 2019

European Court of Justice rules that under-licensing is IP theft

Ruling from the European Court of Justice says that French mobile operator, Free Mobile, infringed the copyright of software company IT development Continue Reading
News 17 Dec 2019

AWS hits back at open source theft allegations

New York Times accuses the public cloud provider of taking open source products and integrating them into its own managed services Continue Reading
Opinion 22 Nov 2019

Digital advancement means we're measuring the economy wrong

When accountants work out how much UK business is investing in the future, it's stuck in a world of depreciated assets – ignoring the huge changes brought about by cloud and software as a service Continue Reading
News 15 Nov 2019

Businesses move key applications off public cloud to save costs

A new study has shown that while many enterprises are able to keep public cloud costs under control, spending can quickly escalate Continue Reading
Feature 01 Nov 2019

How Sporting Group tackles the Rugby World Cup

Sporting Group has readied its system monitoring to ensure the technology is able to cope with the huge demand for bets during the Rugby World Cup final Continue Reading
News 07 Oct 2019

Public cloud computing is early on its journey to core of the bank

Banks are no longer reluctant to use the cloud as the technology pierces the outer layer of the banking sector and begins its journey to the core Continue Reading
News 02 Oct 2019

John Lewis Partnership sells its automation to business

The John Lewis Partnership will expand its use of automation technology as its early projects bear fruit Continue Reading
News 23 Sep 2019

Why CIOs should take extra precautions when buying IT support

With the continued squeeze on IT budgets, CIOs are always seeking ways to reduce their outgoings. Maintenance is one area where substantial savings can be made, but opting for third-party support requires careful assessment Continue Reading
News 10 Sep 2019

Inside NatWest Ventures

NatWest Ventures is helping NatWest bank to remain relevant to its SME businesses customer community through digital innovation Continue Reading
News 10 Sep 2019

Why it makes sense to use a third party to keep the IT lights on

Keeping operational systems running is a full-time job, but as systems get older, they end up being out of support Continue Reading
News 04 Sep 2019

Nationwide Building Society harnesses low-code platform

Software development platform makes it quicker to build apps Continue Reading