The Vagaries of Microsoft Dynamics Licensing: Working Around Complexities Can Save $$$, Hassles

A Washington-based analyst firm, Directions on Microsoft, has published a report, entitled "Five Essential Resources for Microsoft Licensing," to address the nuanced complexities of licensing. As this issue is an oft-misunderstood sore spot in many departments concerned with software compliance, the report's author, Paul DeGroot, research vice president for licensing and channel programs at Directions on Microsoft, has created a rubric to circumvent potential fiascos before they arise.

DeGroot's "Five Essential Resources for Microsoft Licensing," from the outset, warns that there is "no single ‘Bible of Microsoft Licensing.'" Instead, as he explained, there are five linchpins that, when used correctly, can account for the difference between being compliant and breaking the law.

And for users of Microsoft Dynamics, the rules can become especially complicated because Dynamics licenses can intersect with licenses from related products used in conjunction with Dynamics.

"The rules are very complicated," said DeGroot, who estimated that he has amassed approximately 10,000 hours in the field of Microsoft licensing since 2000. "The rules aren't centrally-made; they're made by each product group. There are no general principles that apply to all of the products. Every product has some kind of exception. Products that may seem similar to the user may have very different rules. You think you know how these things are licensed, but you really don't, and sometimes you don't realize this until after you make a mistake."

Those who wrongly assume that automated software is available to track and troubleshoot licensing issues are surprised to learn that no such program exists. To the contrary, a pen and paper, the old stalwarts ...