The cloud has made many things simpler. From eliminating the software installation process, to enabling access of information from virtually anywhere, and allowing businesses to scale up or down quickly, the list of benefits is substantial.

Contrary to popular belief however, moving to the cloud does not make software licensing challenges disappear.

Instead, the cloud brings with it an entirely new set of complexities that may pose problems for the underprepared.

In order to ensure efficient control of what can be one of the most costly IT assets, cloud technologies need to be carefully considered by organisations considering new delivery models like Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Closer examination of the licensing rules tied to the type of cloud (public, private or hybrid) is also essential, as each has its own set of licence management ramifications.

SOURCE: computerworld.co.nz