Amazon.com Inc.launched a new software licensing center inside
its software store, aimed at the small, mid-size and home business customer
who needs multiple copies of business apps.
Companies can purchase a license for each individual user, giving the
employee the legal right to use a particular software application.
Seattle-based Amazon said that such licensing “lets customers save up to 20
percent off full retail pricing.”
Customers will also be able to customize the quantity of products they need
and tailor their purchasing levels to best fit the organization, whether they
need software for five computers or more than 1,000. In addition, the
software licensing center will offer upgrade options.
“Open-license software sales to small and medium businesses are projected to
grow to $2 billion this year, an increase of 48 percent over last year,” said
Brian Birtwistle, general manager of the Amazon Software store. “By launching
a volume licensing program, we’re not only meeting demand but (also)
addressing the needs of our growing small, midsize and home business customer
base.”
Licenses will be available for software titles from manufacturers including
Microsoft, Symantec, McAfee, Computer Associates and others.
Bellevue, Wash.-based License Online Inc., a provider of
volume software licensing solutions over the Internet, will provide volume
software licensing technology to the new licensing center. Financial
arrangements between the companies were not disclosed.