Network Computing: Feeling the Heat in Redmond

“The chink in Microsoft’s armor remains the high TCO of its
software, and not just the indirect costs customers bear for system
downtime, security holes and technology lock-in. The price of
Microsoft software is on the rise as Redmond phases out ‘perpetual’
licenses for big customers in favor of subscriptions that place
time limits on usage. This policy change, to take effect Aug. 1,
comes as Microsoft cracks down on its existing licensees, requiring
some to perform audits to show they’re complying with its rigid
terms.

“Add to those costs the restrictions Microsoft is placing on how
companies can use its software and you see why some customers are
cranky. One new policy bans companies from using Microsoft tools to
develop software that runs on non-Microsoft operating systems. It’s
one thing to tell customers they have to pay up for yet another
upgrade; it’s another to tell them they can’t distribute original
source code or use their own handiwork on another OS…”

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