eWeek has an interesting article titled: Microsoft Customers Criticize Its Licensing Scheme. The article itself doesn't reveal silver linings where we hadn't seen them before. In my opinion, very few enterprises are actually happy with Microsoft's current licensing scheme.
I think Microsoft, as a company, refuses to see that using their software isn't viewed by most companies as making an investment but instead they see Microsoft licensing as paying a fee, or a tax. Deep down, corporate entities know the software is done and paid for; so, why do they pay? For support? Hand-holding?
Maybe, the answer is fear.
Check out this paragraph from the article:
"The only panelist not to weigh in on the licensing issue was Ross McKenzie, director of information systems at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, saying that as a representative from an educational institution who has access to special low Microsoft educational pricing, "I'm not saying a word. I know when to keep quiet."
I don't know any customer that wouldn't speak out negatively, or against for even, about any of it's suppliers. Except, perhaps, those that deal in the sale of illegal goods or services. Should Microsoft feel safe that one of it's customers is not willing to talk against them? I think not, this is a breach in communication, brought on by the fear of retaliation. The next time it can do so, this same company will move on to quieter seas and bluer skies.
But Microsoft, will not know why.
The information soldier knows that communication is a key element for everything...
