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Avoid Legal Action
Software theft (or 'piracy') is the installation of
software without purchasing the correct license. Organizations such as FAST
and BSA regularly take action against companies who use illegal software. In
some countries company directors can be held personally responsible for
software used illegally by their staff. Aperio
reports the total number of copies of each software package and on which PCs
they are installed. This can then be compared with the number of licenses
held. If excess software is found, a decision can be made either to purchase
more licenses or to delete the excess software.
Save Money
Alternatively, an audit may discover an excess of
licenses for a particular product, which will save money if extra copies are
needed now or in the future.
Increase Network Security
Many companies don't allow employees to install
unauthorised software, but often there is nothing to prevent unscrupulous
employees from doing so. Aperio can
highlight any problems.
Make Support Easier
Software upgrades are more easily planned if there is
a record of which version of each product is currently installed on which
PCs. Aperio reports the locations of each
version, which helps with planning an upgrade strategy.
If problems are discovered with one specific version
of a product, it's useful to know exactly where that version is installed.
Hardware data (such as remaining free disk space,
processor type and installed memory) can also be useful for planning
upgrades.
Need to convince others?
If you need some help convincing others that your
company needs to buy audit software, take a look at this
article from AuditNet
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