Many organizations today are still getting to grips with the licensing implications of virtualized technologies such as VDI, Citrix and Terminal Services, where instead of being simplified, controlling licensing often becomes much more complex and high-risk as the licensing metrics change and potential access to software is significantly increased.

A prime example is when organizations wish to publish software within Citrix and tend to lock-down application access at a user-level through Group Policy. The issue with this is that vendors such as Microsoft have device-based licensing models, whereby all devices with access to specific software titles would require a license, regardless of the actual user count.

Finding the right tool

Having to purchase licenses for all devices regardless of the business need is very expensive. What is needed is a tool that can enforce access at the device level to comply with device-based licensing metrics and provide the required evidence of control to satisfy vendors such as Microsoft.

SOURCE: certero.com