Guide to Buying and Selling Used Software

Why buy used software?

Equipping with new software represents a significant cost for an SME. Acquiring new software and updating existing software is necessary for businesses. However, some organizations today pay a high price for purchasing new licenses, while others accumulate software they no longer use but could still be useful. Authorized in Europe since 2012 by a ruling of the European Union Court of Justice, the sale of software licenses and the purchase of used software was still timid compared to our German neighbors. Originally, this was due to the fear of being rejected by publishers during a software compliance audit... and having to pay a possibly hefty bill. But buying and selling tend to gain momentum, encouraged by constant pressure on IT budgets. Buyer companies are also beginning to understand the benefit of being able to save money safely, and potential sellers see the opportunity to capitalize on dormant assets. What are the benefits of buying used software and how to do it?

What are the advantages of buying and selling used software?

Changing IT solutions to keep software up-to-date can be costly and technically complex to implement. Here are the main reasons that should encourage SMEs to equip themselves in the secondary market.

• Achieve up to 80% savings on approved licenses.
  Acquiring used licenses can represent millions of euros in savings on large volumes. Renowned players such as SNCF, with high security stakes, have been able to make significant savings thanks to the purchase of used software. A strong competitiveness issue for this company undergoing transformation. Moreover, it prevents additional costs related to publisher roadmap changes as maintenance costs tend to increase each year.

• Offer a legal and secure alternative.
  Buying used software is now completely legal. To ensure maximum security, it is crucial to ensure the validity of the licenses.

• Diversify your software inventory.

What advice for considering the purchase of used software?

Mixing less expensive used with new software ensures greater flexibility from an audit perspective.

• Rationalize your inventory as close as possible to the real needs of users.

Remote work has profoundly changed the situation by redistributing needs. In a context where software prices are soaring, it is important to manage your licenses with an optimal quality-price ratio.

For CIOs, the advantages of selling a software license are also significant:

• Avoid internal "over-licensing" and optimize the usage rate as close as possible to the field.
• Control costs thanks to savings made and revenues generated by reselling your assets.
• Opt for a more flexible model mixing new and used software.

What advice for considering the purchase of used software?

To take advantage of the benefits of buying used software, companies must take certain precautions on their side:

• Anticipate and choose a partner carefully.

Studying the market well, as well as its own needs, is crucial for CIOs who are at the heart of both financial and security issues. This will also provide a broader view of possible options.

• Defend the project internally.

It will also be necessary to support the change project internally and reassure teams about the reliability of the licenses.

• Conduct a test phase if necessary.

Starting with a test phase will allow deploying the alternative on part of the inventory and observing the financial effects and implementation.

• Ensure the quality of the partner.

Collaboration with an expert partner in their field, putting support, quality, and listening at the heart of the relationship, is fundamental.

In this regard, Softcorner has helped numerous companies save money by prioritizing the compliance of products made available and building a trustful relationship with buyers. Enough to encourage companies to consider buying used software in the future!