The first company in South Africa to qualify for a Microsoft Software Compliancy Certificate is automotive filter manufacturer, FRAM.
FRAM partnered with leading software reseller First Technology`s licensing experts in Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg to prepare for the full systems audit which determined that its software was legal and correctly licensed.
Part of Microsoft`s "Come Clean Campaign", companies are awarded Software Compliancy Certificates after successfully undergoing the audit.
FRAM`s network administrator, Gilda Findlay, says the company was concerned that some of its software might not be legal.
"We run numerous Microsoft applications and operating systems on over 100 desktops and servers spread across two sites in Pietermaritzburg and a third in Johannesburg. We turned to First Technology for help in checking each machine. The audit took six weeks and we were delighted to find out that we were legal," she adds.
Ingrid Ovenstone, MD First Technology` Pietermaritzburg, says software licensing rules can be confusing. As a result, companies often ignore them - and could find themselves committing a criminal offence under the SA Copyright Act.
According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the pirated software level in South Africa currently stands at 47% of all software used. A recent industry survey calculated that a reduction in South Africa`s 1999 packaged software piracy rate from 47% to 25,1% would have generated in the region of 14 770 additional jobs and over R2,25-billion in additional government revenues.
If an equivalent reduction in piracy is achieved by 2004, the industry could account for a total of 59 991 jobs and R12- billion in fiscal contributions.
"Software licensing compliance need not be expensive, particularly when one considers that each piracy offence is punishable by a fine of up to R5 000 or three years imprisonment. And the company also faces the possibility of civil claims for damages.
"There are cost effective licensing programmes designed to suit the needs of enterprises of all sizes, particularly those with more than 25 users. First Technology has licensing specialists who are well placed to help companies achieve compliance," Ovenstone says.
"We have also developed a software management guide to provide companies with answers to FAQs such as: `Can I buy Office 2000 and use Office 97`; `What does OEM software mean`; and `How many licences do I need`.
"A strong policy and procedure guide is essential for the success of any organisation, and software licensing should be an integral part of that document," Ovenstone concludes.
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